Graeme College Learners Shake Tins to Tackle Period Poverty!

Learners from the all-boys Graeme College have handed over about 100 packets of sanitary products to Mary Waters High School!

Makhanda, South Africa (08 October 2026) – Earlier this year, the Community Outreach learners at Graeme College shook tins to raise funds for sanitary products for underprivileged girls in their community. This week, those tins turned into around 100 packets of sanitary products handed over to Mary Waters High School!

The Deputy Principal accepted the donation on behalf of the school. The first recipients will be the Grade 12 learners. Having those essential sanitary products on hand if needed will help them to go into their Matric final examinations with confidence and peace of mind.

Period poverty can be pervasive in many aspects of life. When a girl can’t get hold of sanitary products, she can end up staying home from school, missing lessons and falling behind. Even when she does make it to class, the worry about what might happen can be distracting and uncomfortable. Having products on hand without having to face those worries means she can focus on learning rather than on getting through the day.

“Keeping our sisters in school is vital to the well-being of our community and our country. Access to essential sanitary products helps ensure that girls can attend school with dignity, confidence and without interruption.” writes Graeme College.

“The first recipients will be the Grade 12 learners, helping them to approach their Matric final examinations with confidence and peace of mind.”

Then there’s who did the shaking! Period poverty is still something many boys and men don’t talk about. A group of learners at an all-boys school could have easily left it to someone else. Instead, they stood with tins in hand and raised the money themselves. It says a lot about the young men they are becoming! Ones who notice what their community needs, and who don’t think a cause is ‘for girls only’ before they get involved.

The school is proud of them.

“Our Community Outreach learners continue to make a meaningful difference in so many spheres of our town. We are incredibly proud of their compassion, commitment and willingness to serve others.”

Sources: Linked above. 

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