School civvies day directs funds and donations to local support services
Learners at Uplands White River turned a civvies day into a community drive that raised R6,190.70 and collected sanitary products and comfort items for two local organisations working with women and girls. The funds and donations will be distributed to the Greater Rape Intervention Programme (GRIP) and the Khumbula Community Centre in Khumbula Village, both of which provide immediate and ongoing support to survivors of sexual violence and to young women facing period poverty.
The initiative was led by pupils and supported by teachers and parents. According to reporting from the school, contributions ranged from cash donations — including a single R1,000 donation — to bulk donations of sanitary pads; one donor delivered 20 packets. The school’s BUILD initiative used part of the money to assemble care packages for GRIP that include essential personal items and comforting items for use during emergency treatment and counselling.
“Together, we raised R6,190.70, alongside an inspiring outpouring of sanitary pads and teddy bears,” said Uplands White River educator Mrs Monette Stratford.
Practical help for two distinct needs
The drive targeted two related but distinct local needs. GRIP receives the care packages to support survivors of gender-based violence and sexual assault during emergency interventions and counselling. Khumbula Community Centre will distribute sanitary products to young women and girls in Khumbula Village to help reduce school absenteeism linked to period poverty.
Thulisile Mndawe from Khumbula Community Centre has already collected the donations, the school reported. The centre works directly with pupils and families in Khumbula Village and will distribute items where they are most needed.
- Amount raised: R6,190.70
- Notable cash gift: R1,000
- Sanitary donations: multiple packets, including a donation of 20 packets
- Other items: teddy bears and comfort items for survivors
Local context and consequences
Efforts such as this civvies day respond to persistent challenges in Mpumalanga: access to sanitary products remains uneven, and service providers that assist survivors of gender-based violence rely heavily on community donations. While no new research figures are claimed by the school, the collected funds and goods will provide immediate relief and reduce barriers that can keep girls out of class during their menstrual cycles.
| Beneficiary | Support provided |
|---|---|
| GRIP | Care packages for survivors, emergency items and comfort products |
| Khumbula Community Centre | Sanitary pads distributed to young women and girls in Khumbula Village |
The school said the project also had an educational purpose: pupils were encouraged to think about community welfare and the practical impact of small donations. The BUILD initiative’s involvement reflects a growing trend in local schools to combine fundraising with hands-on service, helping learners understand the logistical steps of assembling relief packages and liaising with community partners.
For White River residents, the campaign demonstrates how a modest, school-led effort can bolster local support networks. Donations of sanitary products help keep learners in school, while care packages for survivors ease the immediate trauma response handled by trained support agencies. The drive also highlights the role of community hubs such as Khumbula Community Centre in distributing aid where it is most needed.
Uplands White River reported that the spirit of giving at the school was broad, with contributions from learners, parents and staff; organisers said they will consider similar activities in the future to sustain support for local charities and social services.
