Thebe Ya Mosadi CARING4GIRLS Initiative
As part of Thebe Investment Corporation’s initiative to support the empowerment of women across all spheres, we have partnered with The Imbumba Foundation in support of their Caring4Girls programme. It is an initiative that rings true to our core values; and what better platform to use to pioneer this partnership than Thebe Ya Mosadi? For women, endorsed by women but supported by all.
Caring4Girls, a programme endorsed by the Mandela Foundation, is championed primarily by founder Richard Mabaso. The programme is a result of Mabaso’s desire to debunk the mysteries surrounding adolescence and the changes associated with this important milestone. This programme was launched in 2012 as a response to the mystification of adolescence and the changes that come with it physically and emotionally. The need for such a programme was raised due to the realisation of the difficulties faced by young girls when making the transition into womanhood. It was born out of the necessity to bring awareness to the plight of many young girls at this time who often resort to missing school and/or dropping out completely. This then was the driving force behind the programme to ensure a change. It provides young girls with the necessary tools so as to deal with the changes their bodies undergo by providing them with items such as dignity packs. These dignity packs comprise of a year’s supply of sanitary towels and other hygiene items, booklets and life skills workshops.
The programme’s key objectives are to empower these young girls, reducing the number missing out on an education due to being unable to cope with the pressures of physical change and lacking the necessary items/skills to deal with the social pressures. It also aims to educate young girls on how to deal with their physical changes on an emotional and social level as very often society dictates the manner in which these girls deal with these issues. Caring4Girls looks at developing self-confident young women who are resilient as well as educating and motivating them to harness their innate potential to be the masters of their own destinies. For these reasons Thebe has aligned itself with this initiative.
The primary reason for the Thebe Yamosadi/Caring4Girls partnership is; the initiative represents some of the fundamental values that the company is built on. It focuses on values of women empowerment, community, integrity and excellence. The programme also focuses on education; paying close attention to numeracy and literacy which are important issues for the Thebe Foundation. Therefore it is important to the company and its stakeholders to drive this initiative and support the grooming of these young women.
How does it work?
As Thebe, we are encouraging all employees, especially women, through the Thebe ya Mosadi platform to get actively involved in this project.
- Each company is to nominate a woman leader that will coordinate the participation of each company on this initiative.
- Each company is to pledge money towards purchasing a years supply of sanitary towels for a girl, at R1,200 per annum.
- Our group target is to sponsor a miminum of 200 girls with a years supply of sanitary towels.
- The company that raises the most money stands a chance to win interesting prizes at our annual “Thebe ya Mosadi women’s day event” .
- The fundraising campaign is from 1st June to the end of July 2014 .
- Thebe Investment Corporation will match the total pledges made by group companies.
With this initiative, not only do we gain from the knowledge of improving the lives of numerous young girls but you gain for your efforts in trying to do so. Let’s pool together and encourage growth, optimism and invest in the potential of the future.