by Curlan Campbell
- SAASS Principal grateful for timely initiative by past student Wells-John
- Outreach makes sanitary supplies accessible to underprivileged girls
- Lack of access to sanitary pads has caused girls to miss out on school during menstruation
Empathy and acts of kindness can positively impact society, especially when required by those who need them the most. This is undoubtedly the case as one charity organisation has stepped forward to aid girls at a secondary school in St Andrew.
The lack of access to sanitary pads for financially disadvantaged school girls has caused most to miss out on school during their menstruation. Nakita Wells-John, the founder of Treasure Chest Foundation, responded to such an unfortunate situation at the St Andrew’s Anglican School (SAASS).
Wells-John, a past student of SAASS, quickly mobilised to donate over 150 packets of sanitary pads and tampons to the school. “I was inspired to start this initiative because I’ve realised that girls miss school…they don’t have sanitary pads…their parents lack the finances. I thought it unfair that boys have access to free condoms when sex is a choice, but girls don’t have access to free pads when menstruation isn’t. SAASS was chosen as the pilot school because I’m a past student of the prestigious institution, and so it’s very dear to my heart.”
Wells-John is passionate about participating in anything humanitarian or educational. She has been a teacher for the last 5 years and previously served as an English Communication facilitator for young adults within the St Andrew’s North West constituency. She also provides after-school, CPEA and MCT preparation classes and has previously tutored the English Language at the BREDGE Learning Institute.
Wells-John partnered with past students and other supporters, including RedLotus Beauty and Wellness. “Past students and other supporters reached out to show support to me and donated after I made a Facebook post. The only partner we have is RedLotus Beauty and Wellness who would be supplying young girls at the institution who are experiencing their monthly cycle for the first time with care packs. The packs would include sanitary pads, feminine wipes, period tracker, etc.,” she said.
The outreach makes sanitary supplies accessible to underprivileged girls to enable them to continue their studies without missing school due to a lack of supplies or fear of humiliation. As part of the initiative, sanitary stations run by the school counsellor and sanitary station officers (SSOs) from the school student council would oversee the operations.
“The girls who need supplies would access them at the counsellor’s office. They are entitled to at least one packet per month. No names are required unless they are renting one of the hot water bottles, which they would be loaned for 5 days,” she said.
“The SSOs would be responsible for inventory and let us know when the station needs refilling. They would also assist the teacher’s foundation with fundraisers that would contribute to getting supplies for the station. The station will be refilled every 3 months. We have individuals who would like to remain anonymous and pledge to donate monthly, and we are currently working on partnering with a distributor of sanitary pads so that it would be easier financially,” she added.
SAASS Principal Dianne Abel-Jeffrey is grateful for the initiative noting the timeliness of such a donation at this time. “I feel very grateful that my school is the first recipient of such a great initiative and I want to say thanks to all those who have contributed. All those who have been in the planning stage and those who have partnered with her to contribute…we sometimes take it for granted that all students can afford to get the necessary supplies, and that is not always the case, so this will go a very long way in ensuring that the students who are in need and cannot afford are given the same opportunities who can afford.”
Treasure Chest Foundation was founded in 2015. The foundation assists single parents with groceries items and school supplies. It has also awarded the top performers at 3 schools in St Andrew over the last 4 years and provided part sponsorship to 2 students to TA Marryshow Community College (TAMCC). The foundation intends to create a sanitary station at every secondary school in Grenada and invites partners and donors to contact via WhatsApp 537-1915.
