Red Wings Project Cape Town x Kwenza Mncwango
Befo
re they are exposed to the truth, children believe they come from an array of different ok aces. Eventually they learn that babies come from women, and maybe they will understand the science of reproduction, but for many students “sex education” is a myth and entertainment topic of movies. Unfortunately this applies to young girls around the world with little to no education about their bodies as well. For many menstruation is an uncomfortable and frustrating time of the month; and while it may be tiresome to deal with, it is bearable and life goes on. On the other side of the spectrum, approximately seven million school girls in South Africa endure their period without proper sanitation, much less a clear understanding of what is happening to their bodies.The Red Wings Project aims to provide sanitary essentials to disadvantaged women and raise awareness about santitation and sanitary projducts throughout the country. In 2016, the Red Wings arrived in Cape Town. Kwenza Mncwango, Project Manager of Red Wings Project, Cape Town, Miss Teen Commonwealth South African finalist, and University of Cape Town student, launched the Red Wings Project in Cape Town in March; targeting some of the area’s poorest students. As someone who once studied with Kwenza and as a participant in sanitary product provision campaigns, of course I had question. Q: I understand that the Red Wings Project has its own overall objectives and goals, but what are some goals that you have set for the Cape Town chapter?
A: Living the Western Cape has exposed to the world a bit more. I have always believed that people need to give back to their local communities and impoverished communities especially. We can all admit that the majority of poverty is in communities of color. As a black person, it is my place to give back and because I spend most of my time in Cape Town, it only makes sense to do so here. As a Miss Teen Commonwealth South Africa finalist, we also need to choose a charity to work with, but I wanted to work on something that could leave a legacy for me and others…I wanted to work on something regardless of whether or not I win the crown.
Q: Starting a project is difficult, believe me I know, but what was your experience bringing the Red Wings Project to Cape Town?
A: I am just thankful to have a team that is as passionate as about this initiative as me. You hear all sorts of stories coming out of different projects about a lack of commitment, but not this one. We have a 21 member team of very different personalities and skills; some I appointed myself, but quite a few just found their niche in our team. I really enjoy big and complex situations because the creative process of getting tasks done, for me at least, is brilliant. The team is made up of men and women, and each of them are young, relatable, and activists in their respective causes and lives. Granted, on some days we don't all get along, I don't want to make it seem as if different personalities work perfectly all of the time, but even with those clashes we always come out with something amazing.
Q: That’s a large team with what sounds like some interesting dynamics! What has it been like getting people to volunteer to go out to the schools?
A: Thankfully we are a charity people can easily help with, through donations for instance, but we also need volunteers whom are harder to attract. It is not that people don't want to help, but because we mainly work with students, people find difficulty in finding time to volunteer during the day or on the weekend to go to a school visit. Right now, though, we have a good group of volunteers. It's amazing to have the support, but it's also daunting.
The Red Wings Project in Cale at own is involved in three schools at present. We want to start small and be effective, but those schools are located in high danger zones, we worry about safety, especially me and my team because we are the ones that brought the volunteers. Another difficulty is getting sponsors on board for the amount of help we need…there are so many people that need our help and we want to provide for them all.
Q: What is the environment like for students at the three schools you are involved in?
A: We know that the a western actor has issues with sanitation in poor areas, but it is still really bad. People live in areas without per,aren't structures, so shacks in general, and they live without proper sanitation. For the girls specifically, there is no designated point to dispose of the sanitary products they do manage to get. For many other girls, their menstruation period is much less sanitary. Some use a cloth to stay clean, but that further exposes them to risk. South Africa is divided in two parts; the fortunate and the unfortunate. For many their home lives are difficult and their experience of managing their bodies is even worse.
Q: From what you’ve found so far, what do young girls in the schools you operate in experience regarding menstruation?
A: Like I said earlier, they don't have access to decent sanitation or sanitary products, what's even worse is that many of them aren't totally sure if why they menstruate at all; there is such a poor concept of why and what their bodies do. Because of stigma surrounding menstruation, many stay away from school for fear of staining their clothes and public ridicule. Life Orientation at their schools is failing them, boys and girls alike. Girls don't understand their bodies and because boys don't either they think it's okay to tease girls on their period. Overall it's an awkward time.
Q: You've mentioned want I to work with boys as well as girls when educating students. How has it been getting male support?
A: Initially, we worried about not getting male support, but I'm happy to say that has not been the reality. On the UCT campus alone, men’s residences have been very supportive. Many of our sponsors, and the people that approach us to help in general, are led by men who support our vision. We hope that when we start getting more hands-on with students we will have the same male buy-in.
Q: At this point, what does Red Wings Cape Town need?
A: Pads! We especially need 1500 pads, and that is only for about a month. We need donations to actually facilitate our school visits, like transportation for instance. We need for people to demand their provincial leaders to rid of tax on sanitary products. Seven million girls go without care often missing school because of it, we need people to see the problem. We need young girls to still have their dignity and respect while on their period. We need to create a healthier relationship between mind and body amongst young women.