Mama Flo is a charity organisation born from a small act of kindness.
‘Our mission is to find short and long-term sustainable solutions to period poverty’ says the owners as they discuss their journey from 2020 to the present day, Cape {town} Etc reports.
The organisation was founded by Isabella Bisogno, Melissa Zackon and Laurie Shone. The three ladies have known each other since primary school and are now the proud founders of Mama Flo.
The charity began during the peak of Covid-19, as the group was asked to assist in the provision of sanitary pads to the women in Site B Khayelitsha.
Pads were collected and dropped off as requested.
The amount of pads received however ‘surpassed all expectations’ as they described not even being sure how they would transport all the goods.
‘We knew period poverty existed, we knew poverty existed but seeing how incredibly grateful so many people were, simply for a pack of pads… we were speechless.’
This moment marked the birth of Mama Flo as the women realised that they needed to go back and on 16 June 2020 Mama Flo was brought to life.
Mama Flo works to combat period poverty in conjunction with communities in need.
The organisation further undertakes regular pad handout drives, hosts workshops to build relationships in the community which are geared towards learning about the existing needs and they provide relevant education where needed.
“We hope to provide reusable sanitary pads to more than 4,000 women and single-use pads to an additional 6,400 women and strengthen the ambassador program by training 50 new community leaders to facilitate workshops and advocate for menstrual health,” Laurie shares.
Compiled by
First Published on Cape Town etc
Also see: Tips to rekindle a broken friendship
