The Imbumba Foundation’s Caring4Girls Programme was founded in response to the harsh reality that millions of girls in South Africa miss a significant number of school days and others drop out completely, due to lack of access to adequate sanitary protection and corresponding reproductive health education.
The programme aims to give a voice to young girls, instill dignity and foster confidence.
The programme was started in 2012 after Imbumba founder, Richard Mabaso, overheard a fearful conversation between his mom and niece about menstruation, which to this day is deemed taboo by many societies. Realising that this fear and lack of understanding existed, even within his own family, Richard initiated the Caring4Girls programme to address the problem on a national scale.
About us
It is impossible to realise our goals whilst discriminating against half the human race.
There is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.
Our Approach
We have 3 tiers of women we are catering for:
Those who cannot afford sanitary protection – CARING4GIRLS range of pads that will be donated to these girls in need every year
Those who can afford a cheaper offering –
CARING4GIRLS range of pads sold through
business-in-a box in the townships
Those upper LSM
consumers that wish to support a product that gives back and can be purchased on line and delivered to their door
At present, the Foundation supports over 1.2 million Caring4Girls beneficiaries throughout South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, eSwatini and Tanzania.
Through the establishment of innovative associated programmes, such as the annual Trek4Mandela Expedition to summit Mount Kilimanjaro on Mandela Day, 18 July, the Caring4Girls Programme has been
sustained and grown exponentially.
Our Team
Mr Richard Mabaso
Founder & CEO Imbumba Foundation
Mr Richard Mabaso, a 6-time successful Mount. Kilimanjaro summiteer, social entrepreneur and humanitarian, is the Founder and Chief Executive of the Imbumba Foundation. READ MORE
Mr Fanie Shabangu
Driver
Mr Fanie Shabangu grew up in Luphisi, Mpumalanga and joined the Imbumba Foundation in 2017 as a Driver. READ MORE
Ms Ntombi Mabaso
Caring4Girls Programme Co-ordinator Mpumalanga
& Puberty Education Facilitator
Ms. Ntombi Mabaso started working at the Imbumba Foundation as a Volunteer in 2012, where she was distributing sanitary pads. READ MORE
Ms Lihle Mthethwa
Caring4Girls Programme Co-ordinator for all Provinces
Ms. Lihle Mthethwa joined the Imbumba Foundation in 2018 as the Caring4Girls Programme Co-ordinator for all provinces. READ MORE
Ms Nomalanga Manqele
Caring4Girls Co-ordinator
Ms. Noma Manqele is the Caring4Girls Co-ordinator who joined the Imbumba Foundation in 2017 as an intern. READ MORE
Mr James Zondo
Driver
Mr James Zondo grew up in Pongola, Kwa Zulu Natal and joined the Imbumba Foundation as a Driver, in 2020. READ MORE
Vision
To instil dignity & pride in all young girls, no matter their financial situation
Mission
Sustainably serving communities of women, around the world, who are missing school or work due to lack of sanitary protection, by providing health & menstrual hygiene education, delivering menstrual hygiene products, and helping to lead government policy and advocacy. As well as providing opportunities for enterprise and skills development, and women empowerment.
Values
We do the right thing. Period!
Our Partners
For everything you have done for us in the past, everything you still do and will continue to do, we at Caring4Girls just want you to know how thankful we are, and we look forward to a prosperous future together.
partner-logo-slider
We would also like to give acknowledgement to the Dischem Million Comforts campaign and our brand match partners for helping us to collect 10,000,000 pads per annum towards our Caring4Girls programme.
Their support has been paramount to us empowering as many communities through our various initiatives.
We have reached a significant milestone!
Our Sanitary Protection Brand
10 years ago, the Imbumba Foundation was started on the premise of empowering communities through our various initiatives. A decade later, we find ourselves in a position of locally producing our very own Caring4Girls branded sanitary towels.
It has been through the support of all our sponsors and partners that we have found an additional avenue to ensure the sustainability of the initiative and empower more girl children.
Despite pads being donated from various brand match partners, we still need to purchase additional pads to distribute to our girls in need every day. By launching our own range of pads, we can purchase more pads for less, thereby allowing us to purchase 3 times the number of pads we did in the past. Our brand then becomes an agent for change by having a positive impact on women’s lives, as well as giving generously in the process.
It is imperative that as an organisation we remain relevant and sustainable for the sake of the girls who rely on us every day.
Shop
Scented Pads
Scented Flexi-Wings gives you great coverage where you need it most with a flexible design that moves with you, plus a absorbent Core that absorbs in seconds for up to 8 hours of protection.
Unscented Pads
Unscented Flexi-Wings give you great coverage where you need it most with a flexible design that moves with you, plus a absorbent Core that absorbs in seconds for up to 8 hours of protection.
