VaSikana Project sheds light on the plight of girls in Zimbabwe
Published: 20 August 2014 | by Pippa Mann
Zvisinei Dzapasi Mamutse and her sisters Lillian Dzapasi, Thandiwe Dzapasi Bepura, Olivia Dzapasi and Shingi Dzapasi Mapfumo have come together to raise awareness on the issue of an alarming and destructive shortage of sanitary pads in Zimbabwe.
Zvisinei, who works as a nurse in the USA, told OneVybe that she started the VaSikana Project to collect sanitary pads for girls in rural Zimbabwe and other disadvantaged areas just outside the city of Harare, including Ruwa.
"This project is in support of Volunteer in Zimbabwe. We are working with a volunteer social worker to determine needs and to date I have 11 schools, which is just a chip of the iceberg. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step."
VaSikana Project fundraising event - Photo supplied
A VaSikana Event will be held on September 27th, 2014 in the US and women are invited to bring sanitary pads to the event.
There are people who have suggested that the issue is too embarrassing to discuss but Zvisinei believes that it is a vital issue that needs to be tackled.
"What is embarrassing is knowing you can do something, even a small thing to help and not doing it. That's embarrassing."
On the whole, Zvisinei has received overwhelming positive support from a lot of women and one of Oprah's favourites, Dr. Tererai Trent, has agreed to be the guest speaker at the event.
Dr Tererai Trent talking about her work
Zvisinei and her sisters are working on the project in memory of
their mother, Judith Mereki Dzapasi, who died when they were all young.
Zvisinei said their mother instilled in them the need to aid others in their community and it is what they are doing now.
"Most
importantly, my mother was always doing project to empower other women
in the community and we are passing that legacy by involving young girls
in the event so they too can learn yo give; especially our children in
diaspora."
The sisters are holding events in USA, UK, South
Africa and Zimbabwe and people can get involved by donating pads and
shipping them to Zimbabwe.
For more information visit:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/VaSikana-Project/1484215931820670Email:
vasikanaproject@gmail.com
Info@volunteerinzimbabwe.com
- OneVybe/VaSikanaProject