Reprieve as over 4000 pupils gets pads in Luanda schools

Over 4,000 girls aged 12 and over in the Luanda sub-county from all 57 primary schools have received 31,000 boxes of sanitary towels.

The pads were issued by the Harold Mbati Foundation to sustain them in school during the learning period.

Mbati said the initiative is to keep the girlchild in school during their periods.

Speaking to Star at his home in Luanda sub-county, Mbati said the move is his way of giving back to society.

“People are really making too much noise as if am in politics I am not. I am just giving back to society by supporting the needy,” Mbati said.

“At a point when I was a kid, I was also supported by someone for me to be where I am now and that is why I have extended my olive hand to others too.”

Mbati noted that most of the students and parents cannot afford the pads for their kids as they prioritize food.

He observed that many girls face problems in managing menstruation and some are forced to stay away from school during periods.

A number of heads said the menstrual cycle remains a thorny issue among teenagers countrywide, especially school-going girls.

Mbati said he has a number of programs that will help kids within the Luanda sub-county including sports and talents to cut off laziness and drug abuse.

Experts from the Harold Mbati Foundation also gave adolescents education to help them manage the stage.

The pupils were educated on how they should protect themselves from engaging in early sexual behaviours, how to avoid sex pests and how to handle menstruation.

During the presentation done by various speakers, the pupils were asked to avoid engaging in premature sex, something that could undermine their academic performance and lead to dropping out of school.

The speakers asked pupils who are at the puberty stage to learn how they can handle the body development stages properly and appealed to teachers and parents to help their children manage the stages positively.