In 2017, employees at PEP (referred to as ‘Dynamos’), identified a critical issue affecting their communities: many young women were missing school during their menstrual cycles due to a lack of sanitary products. This observation led to the launch of the ‘Keep Girls in School’ initiative, aimed at reducing school absenteeism by ensuring these essential products were readily available to students in need.

PEP’s Dynamos in the Southern Division (comprising the Western Cape and Namibia regions) began this initiative by encouraging their remarkable customers to donate sanitary pads at the till. These pads were distributed to local schools regularly, fostering a unique bond between the stores and their communities. The response was overwhelmingly positive, showing a community eager to support and uplift its young members.

From its inception until October 2021, when it was still confined to the Southern Division, the programme distributed over 245 000 sanitary packs. Encouraged by this success, PEP decided to take the programme national. Since the nationwide roll-out in November 2021, an additional 292 000 packs have been collected, bringing the total to over 537 000 sanitary packs distributed across South Africa.

PEP’s Dynamos continue to drive this initiative at the store level by prompting customers at the till points to donate a pack of sanitary pads. Stores have the flexibility to donate these packs to either the same school or different schools each time, tailoring their efforts to the community’s needs.

The initiative’s most meaningful moments occur when area managers and store Dynamos personally deliver sanitary products to the schools. These moments are not only about supplying necessities but also about celebrating community support. PEP is committed to contributing to communities and empowering young women to stay in school without interruptions.

The incredible impact of this initiative is evident not only in the reduced number of school days missed by girls but also in the enhanced hygiene and self-esteem among students. It just goes to show how a simple, community-driven response can address specific challenges and significantly improve the quality of life for others.

As this initiative continues to grow, it remains a shining example of the power of community involvement and corporate responsibility, ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to pursue her education uninterrupted.