Free jol to help meisies

Sid G Rule Primary School in Grassy Park is inviting girls and women to join in for a free Zumba lesson in exchange for a pack of sanitary pads.

The school regularly hosts events to raise funds for their community and this time the Zumba4Pads drive is the brainchild of school librarian Shireen Baradien.

Shireen, 56, from Lotus River says there is a great need for sanitary towels in the Capricorn community where schools are trying to accommodate girls who have to stay absent during their menses because they don’t have pads.

She says girls who need help can contact the school and they will be helped.

“We have already reached out to schools in Capricorn who suffers from absenteeism because girls are too embarrassed to come to school in their homemade pads and some don’t have proper sanitation,” Shireen says.

The idea came about after Shireen saw a Daily Voice article last year of a similar campaign.

“Every year we have a different theme that our school uses throughout the year to implement our mission statement. This year it is ‘the year of the learner’,” says Shireen.

The Zumba4Pads event is happening at the school on Saturday at 12pm and ladies should wear red to represent women and their menstrual cycle.

Shireen is also challenging any other school to pay it forward with a similar project.

“Girls, moms and aunts can join us for a free Zumba class with Rusheeda Japie in exchange for a packet of pads,” she says.

“The need for pads at the schools in and around our community is dire.”

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