Girl learners receive pink packs and get inspired
“Cling to knowledge and always strive for success.”
“GOD always creates a way out of a difficult life. Dare to dream and believe in yourself. Simplicity is the key to brilliance.”
This quote is from Ashlynn Leray, a master’s student of high-energy astrophysics at the University of the Witwatersrand, who grew up not-so-privileged, and was quoted in a letter that Ashlynn wrote to a group of young female learners from Opelweg Primary School in Eden Park.
She wrote the letter with the hope of inspiring them to always reach for bigger and better dreams. It was read to the girls by Ilene Abrams – a community member wanting to make a change, co-founder of the Pink Pack Project and a woman with a passion for female youth and their education.
The Pink Pack Project is a newly-established non-profit initiative, founded by five passionate women, that provides young school girls with the necessary sanitary products every month in order to prevent them from staying out of school.
Ilene read Ashlynn’s inspiring and emotional letter to the learners after they gathered at the school on October 20 to collect their “pink packs”. At this gathering, Ilene also engaged with the girls and shared stories to inspire and empower them, in commemoration of International Day of the Girl Child celebrated on October 11.
In addition to Ashlynn’s wonderful letter, Ilene also shared the inspirational story of Opelweg Primary’s top learner in her grade for the past six years, Caitlin Swartz.
She told with pride: “It is possible to do anything and be anything if you work hard and believe in yourself, like Caitlin. For the past six years, 12-year-old Caitlin has been the top learner in her grade.
“Earlier this year, she won the regional spelling bee championship for the second time in a row, and she is currently the reigning champion of her school’s overall merit award. Caitlin loves to read and brings home report cards that show 100 per cent for maths. In addition to her academic success, she is also a force on the netball court.
“This young lady is incredibly intelligent and, although she makes her academic success seem easy, she works very hard. Despite her dire situation at home in the Eden Park township, where her unemployed mother struggles to make ends meet, Caitlin remains a model learner and daughter.
“Her mom, Rivonne, is her proudest supporter and she consistently encourages Caitlin to work hard, study harder and dream limitless dreams. As stated by Michelle Obama: ‘When you educate a girl, you educate a family, a community and a country’,” Ilene concluded.
On behalf of the Pink Pack Project, Ilene told the girls: “We can help you with your toiletries every month, but you must be the ones who commit to school and do your very best to excel. We want to see that you really want to be helped. Cling to knowledge and always strive for success.”
Ilene concluded the afternoon by thanking all the teachers for their contribution to society, before sharing the pink packs with the girls. If you would like to know more about the Pink Pack Project, or if you are interested in getting involved, feel free to contact Ilene on 082 521 4664 or pinkpackproject@gmail.com
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