Empowering Rural Girls: Mam Sodolobha’s Mission for Sanitary Pad Accessibility
In the rural outskirts of Adams Mission, KwaZulu-Natal, Zamangwane Khanyile, 28, known as “Mam Sodolobha,” is passionately leading a campaign for sanitary pad donations in local schools.
A Personal Journey to Advocacy
Khanyile, a multifaceted individual engaged in singing, radio hosting, event organizing, and program directing, found her purpose after battling a kidney infection caused by using tissue paper as makeshift sanitary pads during her teenage years.
“At 25, I developed a kidney infection, unable to walk properly due to excruciating pain while using tissue paper. The infection resulted from years of makeshift sanitary pads,” Khanyile shared.
Turning Personal Struggles into Community Advocacy
Khanyile, fortunate to receive medical treatment for her infection, faced challenges accessing sanitary pads post-treatment due to unemployment. Her church community stepped in, inspiring her to extend the support to girls in need.
Her initiative commenced at Ngwenya Msomi Primary School in Ngqutshini, where girls lacked access to sanitary pads from existing organizations.
Community Unity and Beyond
Khanyile’s recent outreach program marked a profound experience as individuals and organizations united, driven by the spirit of Ubuntu, emphasizing that “it takes a village to raise a child.” This initiative expanded beyond sanitary pads, with the support of Spec-Savers Galleria Mall offering free eye tests and glasses for learners.
Despite potential challenges, Khanyile’s journey has been buoyed by the unwavering support of loved ones. Her mother, a single parent, serves as her inspiration, reinforcing the importance of resilience through adversity.
Inspiring Youth to Pursue Dreams
Motivating the youth, Khanyile encourages them not to succumb to obstacles, emphasizing that a single-parent upbringing should not hinder one’s pursuit of dreams.
She advocates for perseverance and the courage to rise after failures, asserting that using external factors to define oneself is a hindrance to personal discovery.
In her unwavering commitment to empowering young girls, Mam Sodolobha’s initiative stands as a testament to the transformative impact one individual can have on a community.
Re-reported from the article originally published in The IOL News
