Hope Restoration Ministries’s Dignity
Drive campaign reached Far North Secondary School in Cosmo City yesterday, delivering personal-care packs to 266 matric learners from vulnerable households.
The distribution — part of a campaign that ran across February and March — provided dignity packs to 154 girls and 112 boys. Each pack contained essential items such as sanitary pads, soap, Vaseline, tissues, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other toiletries aimed at easing household budgets and ensuring learners attend school with confidence and dignity.
The visit to Far North Secondary School marks the fifth stop in the Dignity Drive. Previous distributions took place at Princess High School (Roodepoort), Durban Deep Primary School (Matholeville), Athlagang Primary School (Krugersdorp) and Mncube High School (Soweto).
The initiative was organised and funded by church members grouped into community zones known as Hope Connects (home cells). The zone that supported Far North Secondary School included small groups from Strubenvalley, Ruimsig, Weltevreden Park, Wilgeheuwel (1 & 2) and Randburg (1 & 2), who pooled resources to assemble and deliver the packs.
Yesterday’s distribution took place shortly after International Women’s Day and in the run-up to Human Rights Day — a timing the organisers said underscored the campaign’s focus on dignity, equality and learners’ rights.
Dr Stanley Maphosa, who provided the release, noted the project’s wider aim of encouraging community partnerships around schools. “Supporting learners with basic personal-care items is a concrete way to keep children in class and reduce the burden on struggling families,” he said.
Pastor Percy Mongwai, Resident Pastor at the Roodepoort campus, explained the campaign’s inclusive approach. “Many girls skip school each month because they lack access to sanitary products. We also recognise boys’ needs and vulnerabilities. Our goal is to ensure every learner comes to school with dignity and a sense of belonging,” he said.
The organisers called on local businesses, civic groups and government bodies to strengthen their support for schools. They urged more collaborative efforts to protect school environments, support teachers and create safer, cleaner learning spaces for children.
For further information about the Dignity Drive or how to support future distributions, contact the Roodepoort campus of Hope Restoration Ministries.