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Case Studies

On Thursday 22 August a number of representatives from Stefanutti Stocks participated in the handover of almost 1 000 Komani period packs (consisting of four washable pads and a storage bag) to scholars at the Ihlumelo Secondary School in Paarl. The school was nominated by our client the Drakenstein Municipality, for which we are undertaking the Paarl Water Treatment Plant project. This is the third time that the Stefanutti Stocks Western Cape Region has partnered with The Umtshayelo Foundation’s (TUF) social enterprise Komani (which means “queen”) in supporting a school that is local to one of their construction sites. Our investment for this initiative was R183 800.

“It’s very easy to just ignore, or just go on with your work, and not always identify the issues that our society has,” says Shireen Schiller, Stefanutti Stocks Western Cape Regional HR manager. “Identifying and supporting initiatives like these are so important – for all companies in South Africa – and we are very glad to make a difference with period poverty.”

All 919 female learners enrolled at the school were offered the opportunity to receive a pack of eco-friendly, reusable sanitary pads. Komani focuses on providing young, school-going women with a sustainable, hygienic, and environmentally friendly menstrual product solution, and in addition to a handover of reusable pads, its solution includes educational talks on period positivity and how to use the pads correctly, pragmatically delivered by Ms Stephanie Lamour from TUF and her colleagues. Well known singer Futhi Mhlongo was one of the highlights of the events and inspired the girls with her songs and motivational words.

Our representatives from the Paarl Water Treatment Works site also participated in what was a very festive event, with Jan Schreuder, civils contracts manager, speaking about what the Stefanutti Stocks group does in general, as well as about the importance of water infrastructure, such as the treatment works currently under construction. He later said that he would love to be part of more initiatives such as this. “It was amazing, we normally are used to just building and constructing,” he said, “and to be in the community where we are building and working, and to see the influence and the impact that it has on them – it was a privilege to part of it.”

Anita Kepe, our community liaison officer on the project was also happy to be part of giving back to the community of Paarl. “It was a great initiative that we had today, “ she said. “The kids are happy, the community is happy, and the site is happy as well!”

We hope that our continued participation in projects like these keep more girls in school, by providing them with access to sanitary products, as well as educating them on menstrual health and hygiene, and promoting Period Positivity. Because, as per the Komani social enterprise’s slogan: “periods shouldn’t pause progress”.