{"id":116548,"date":"2018-06-12T17:53:20","date_gmt":"2018-06-12T15:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/subz-pants-and-pads-facilitator-thabete-changing-girls-lives-one-school-at-a-time\/"},"modified":"2018-06-12T17:53:20","modified_gmt":"2018-06-12T15:53:20","slug":"subz-pants-and-pads-facilitator-thabete-changing-girls-lives-one-school-at-a-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/subz-pants-and-pads-facilitator-thabete-changing-girls-lives-one-school-at-a-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Subz Pants and Pads\u2019 Facilitator Thabete Changing Girls\u2019 Lives One School at a Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

Subz Pants and Pads\u2019 Facilitator Thabete Changing Girls\u2019 Lives One School at a Time<\/a>: <\/p>\n

\"\"Although Nokwazi Thabethe will admit to harbouring a few nerves on her first day as a facilitator for Project Dignity \u2013 the NPO extension of Subz Pants and Pads \u2013 after a few moments spent addressing the schoolgirls, she knew she had found her calling.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was working in customer care at a contact centre and when I heard about the position as a facilitator for Subz, and I decided to go for it,\u201d said the dynamic uMlazi resident. \u201cI\u2019ve been working with Subz since February and this is my Energade! I love talking about these issues and being out there with the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n

Project Dignity has been distributing environmentally-friendly, reusable packs of Subz sanitary pads and accompanying panties to various schools for years. Founded by Sue Barnes, creator of Subz Pants and Pads, the NPO (Project Dignity) also uses the activation as a platform to address the schoolgirls on topics such as menstruation and body changes. Drawing on her extensive experience as a former outreach facilitator at Childline KZN, Nokwazi has really taken to her role as the Zulu facilitator for Subz, engaging with the girls and sharing useful insights.<\/p>\n

\u201cI discuss various topics with the girls, explaining to them the changes to expect. I also tell them they shouldn\u2019t be scared, but rather that it\u2019s something to be happy about. Most of these girls are not able to afford sanitary wear and their reaction inspires and motivates me to make a difference all the time. I love being able to share with them, see them laugh and smile and give them hope\u2026 that really does it for me!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nokwazi\u2019s youthful energy, shared background and ability to communicate with schoolchildren on their level allows her to quickly build a rapport with these young girls, many of whom have nowhere else to turn when it comes to discussing such pertinent topics.<\/p>\n

\u201cI share my personal experiences so that they feel comfortable and know that it\u2019s normal to have these changes,\u201d she explained. \u201cI do the talks in English and isiZulu and, sometimes when there are kids from the Eastern Cape, I talk in isiXhosa. I am able to relate using the slang that they use, and it makes them laugh. They think this is cool, she understands, she knows how we talk. So, for me, it makes my job easier to be able to communicate so easily with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her first activation at a KwaMashu school is still one of her favourite moments: \u201cI was so nervous, but afterwards two girls came and gave me a huge hug and chatted about what I\u2019d said. Suddenly it was like \u2018oh wow\u2019. I\u2019ve made a difference. Every time I go to schools, seeing those girls smiling, it\u2019s so great.\u201d<\/p>\n

And while teaching the girls is the intention, Nokwazi finds that she learns something new with each activation: \u201cIt\u2019s a real learning experience every time I enter these communities. Although I\u2019m talking on the same topic, each environment is different and I learn something from these young women.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her job as a mother to her precious two-year-old \u2018diva\u2019 has further highlighted, for Nokwazi, the need for facilitators.<\/p>\n

\u201cGirls need someone to push them, encourage them, be there for them. Girls need someone they can rely on. I would also like to see more men \u2013 particularly young fathers \u2013 getting involved, providing a role model for the boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

Commenting on Nokwazi\u2019s addition to the Subz team, Sue Barnes said: \u201cHaving Nokwazi join us has been truly inspiring. Her energy, enthusiasm and care for the girls is infectious. They say dynamite comes in small packages and that is how we feel about working with Nokwazi. The value that she adds to the educational talks and team is paramount. I just love working with her!\u201d<\/p>\n

Project Dignity forms part of the MySchool Vote4Charity contest running from 18 May to 18 June. For every vote, R5 will be donated to Project Dignity and the top three contenders will win a professional promotional video shoot. To vote for Project Dignity, visit www.myschool.co.za\/vote4charity<\/p>\n

Project Dignity offers companies and individuals with many opportunities to support those in need with reusable Subz Pants and Pads donations. Visit the website www.projectdignity.org.za for more information about the work being done to help uplift and empower South African girls.<\/p>\n

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