The Toba Foundation, which strives to holistically empower youths with the necessary skills for future success, hopes to restore dignity by humbly donating sanitary products to young girls as part of its life skills programme.
While many organisations are focusing on supporting and highlighting the contributions of adult women this month (August), Toba Foundation is looking towards the future by investing in the next generation.
“The foundation’s main purpose is to let young people know; we are will to help you no matter your circumstances,” said founder Elmarie Sauls.
The organisation was founded by the Broadlands Park resident in 2017 with a focus on community upliftment. The 55-year-old veteran community organiser with heart for others recognised the gap in the work readiness of matriculants in her church congregation and took the leap of faith to establish the Toba Foundation, which aims to equip youngsters with the skills needed to succeed in life.
The foundation takes a holistic approach, which includes developing self-awareness and confidence, enhancing communication skills, promoting investment in health and well-being, providing financial literacy and offering career planning and development support.
Given that August highlights the achievements and challenges of women, Sauls has organised a life skills programme initiated specifically for young girls, addressing their unique needs and challenges. In addition to imparting valuable wisdom, Sauls will distribute sanitary products to the young beneficiaries as a practical takeaway “tool” from the programme.
“In a holistic approach the entire person will be served, not only spiritually but personally as well,” said Sauls.
Through her years of community work she recognised the critical need for girls to have access to sanitary pads, aiming to break the chains of stigmatisation that plague the community. The lack of sanitary products often forces girls to skip school, hindering their potential.
As a woman Sauls understands the significance of a sanitary towel for a young girl and the burden of not having one. “A sanitary pad is the most important tool for a girl,” she added.
After requesting donations of sanitary towels on social media Sauls received an overwhelming response, collecting a substantial number of products for distribution. This success prompted calls to expand the life skills programme beyond Broadlands Park. Sauls realised she had a responsibility to extend the invitation to the entire Helderberg community.
“They always say Jerusalem starts at home and I said no,” she said. “I need to make this programme accessible to everyone.”
With the programme taking place on Saturday 31 August, Sauls calls on Helderbergers to open their hearts to the cause as the Toba Foundation will need to provide sanitary products to even more needy girls. The deadline for donations is Thursday 15 August and the mission is very simple for Sauls: “The goal is to make a young girl feel worthy.”
- For more information on the Toba Foundation or to donate to the cause, phone Sauls on 072 964 8399.
