A beneficiary of the programme, Gezekile Zulu of Plumtree, said making pads was a sustainable business which she had recently embarked on to earn a living. She said the programme has benefited a lot of women from her area who previously could not afford to buy sanitary pads.
Zulu’s intervention puts an end to the suffering of women who have been battling to make decisions between buying groceries or sanitary pads. After being trained by Family Impact in 2011 on how to make pads, she bought a machine and materials to go into business.
Initially she taught students at Whitewater Secondary school, the Joshua Mqabuko teachers and the Mother Support Group on how to make pads – but later realised that she could make money out of it.
“At first I thought it was necessary for me to impart knowledge to other women – but later I decided to turn it into a business. I realised that teaching them alone was not enough because most of them did not have the capacity to make their own pads,” she said.
“I am happy because I can now sustain my family because this is a good income generating project. Each pad is going for 50cents a price that is very fair compared to the disposable ones which cost $2.00 each,” said Zulu, who has since turned one of her bedrooms into a factory.
Apart from making pads, Zulu teaches girls and women the correct use and storage of the products. “The pads need to be changed and washed every day. I always encourage women to buy at least three pads so that they change them throughout the day to maintain high standards of hygiene,” Zulu said.
Zulu said when she heard about Family Impact Zimbabwe through her ward counsellor and she was reluctant to attend their training at first.
“My interaction with Family Impact was a life-changing experience. I am really grateful because assisting my community and making a difference,” she added. Family Impact Zimbabwe seeks to empower women on health issues, especially Sexual Reproductive Health.
Post published in: News