Girl Diginity Restored: Over 200 Schoolgirls Get Sanitary Care Packs From Dadiso Brands

by Kudakwashe Ruzive

What began as a simple birthday wish for Dadiso Brands Chief Operations Officer, Ms Linda Mapolisa, during the company’s Christmas in June celebrations has blossomed into a meaningful act of compassion, with more than 200 sanitary care packs donated to vulnerable schoolgirls at St Vincent Catholic School in Goromonzi District on 5 August 2026.

The donation comes after Dadiso Brands identified the school after recognising the challenges faced by vulnerable communities and families with limited resources, where the cost of sanitary products can become an additional burden on already struggling households.

Speaking during the handover, Dadiso Brands Chief Executive Officer Ms Mildred Mapolisa said the initiative was about much more than simply putting sanitary pads into the hands of young girls.

She stressed the importance of combining sanitary care with menstrual health education, saying young girls should be empowered with knowledge that enables them to manage their menstrual health with confidence and dignity.

She encouraged learners to maintain proper hygiene, seek guidance whenever they experience discomfort or concerns and, most importantly, remain focused on their education.

Dadiso Brands Board Chairperson Mr Takaindisa Svosve said the company manufactures reusable sanitary pads because it believes every girl should have an uninterrupted opportunity to learn and fulfil her potential.

“We believe that no girl should miss school, lose confidence or compromise her health because of her period,” Svosve said.

He further emphasised the company’s commitment to education and dignity, adding:

“Menstruation should never become a barrier between a girl and her classroom, her dreams or her future.”

St Vincent Catholic School, established in 1983, shortly after independence, serves a remarkably wide community, with a catchment area stretches approximately 22 kilometres, reaching communities around Ruwa, Mutamba and Melford Tollgate.

The institution comprises both a primary school with more than 500 pupils and a secondary school with over 375 learners.

Approximately 85 percent of the learners come from agricultural farming communities, many living considerable distances from the school. A significant number come from families facing severe economic hardships, while some learners are orphans.

For these families, basic necessities can sometimes compete with food, transport, school fees and other household needs. Sanitary products therefore become an expense that many families struggle to consistently meet.

The consequences can be profound, with some girls forced to remain at home during their menstrual periods simply because they cannot afford sanitary wear.

The impact of the donation was captured by Ropafadzo Kaungwa, the Junior Council representative for Goromonzi Ward 25, who expressed gratitude to Dadiso Brands on behalf of the learners.

“We are very grateful for this donation. It will help many girls who sometimes miss school because they cannot afford sanitary wear.”

“This support means a lot to us because it restores our dignity and helps us stay in class like everyone else.”

Her testimony brought the initiative closer to its human face: a schoolgirl should not have to choose between managing her menstrual cycle and attending class.

The donation by Dadiso Brands is a reminder that meaningful corporate social responsibility does not always begin with grand plans. Sometimes, it begins with a simple birthday celebration and grows into something that touches hundreds of lives.

By supporting vulnerable schoolgirls, Dadiso Brands is helping to remove one of the silent barriers that can interrupt girls’ education.

The initiative also demonstrates the importance of partnerships between the private sector and communities in addressing everyday challenges affecting young people.

For the girls of St Vincent Catholic School, the sanitary care packs are more than products.

This donation represents a powerful investment in the dignity, confidence, health and education of the girl child, particularly for learners from disadvantaged families who often struggle to afford basic menstrual hygiene products.