Pusheka Girl spreads period poverty fight in schools

Mthabisi Tshuma, Zimpapers Correspondent

PUSHEKA Girl, an initiative driven by two sisters from Bulawayo to end period poverty, continues to spread its wings through donations of sanitary wear to pupils in schools.

The initiative is being driven to uplift the girl child through the slogan: “Condoms should be sold, and pads should be given for free, for sex is a choice — menstruation isn’t. Young girls without money are suffering.”

Founded by Maxy and Tatenda Tekere, Pusheka Girl offers practical support through pad donations.

Among the schools that have received donations are Methodist Bulawayo High, Imbizo Primary, Lobengula High, Pumula High and Founders High.

Pusheka Girl has reached over 40 schools in Bulawayo, both primary and high schools, with the pad donation drives and empowerment talks.

Beyond Bulawayo, the initiative has gone to towns like Plumtree, Filabusi, Gwanda, and Gweru, sharing the same message of empowerment and support.

“We offer teen pregnancy awareness campaigns, life skills development, and mentorship programmes for girls,” said Maxy in an interview.

“Our inspiration was personal and rooted in family. We were raised in a home where giving back was not an option — it was a lifestyle.

“Our parents were always helping others, and that spirit became a part of who we are,” she added.

“We saw girls missing school because they didn’t have pads. We saw young women falling into traps because no one was guiding them.

We couldn’t look away. We started Pusheka Girl because someone had to care enough to act — and that someone became us.”

Maxy said Pusheka Girl has specific goals and outcomes they hope to achieve in terms of impact and reach.

“We want to end period poverty by making sanitary pads accessible and free for schoolgirls, reduce teen pregnancy by educating and mentoring girls early and create platforms that allow girls to dream bigger, speak louder, and walk bolder into their futures,” she said.

“We want to say to every girl, you are seen, you matter and you are enough. Pusheka Girl exists to lift girls, to give them dignity, and to build a community that says, ‘you don’t have to do this alone’.

“To the public, our message is this: ‘investing in girls is not charity — it’s progress’. Help us build a future where girls are educated, businesses are supported, and no one is left behind,” said Maxy.

She said that when reaching out to the beneficiaries, they involve local artistes as a way to amplify the cause and to reach a wider audience.

“Our approach includes collaborating with local creatives — not just musicians, but also models, content creators, and influencers — who share our vision for community empowerment,” said Maxy.

“We’ve worked closely with amazing talents like Noluntu J, Mzoe 7, Msiz’kay, and Manine, giving them platforms to connect with communities while raising awareness for the Girl Child.

“It’s about mutual empowerment: they help us amplify our cause, and we help amplify their presence and purpose. We’re also supported by generous partners who continue to walk this journey with us, including MegaGas, Delux Lodge, Harris

Entertainment, Harris Lodges, Slice Pizzeria, Bulawayo Exclusive Events and Multi-Engine Parts

“Their support is invaluable. But the road is still not easy — we continue to face challenges, especially around funding, visibility, and access to resources.”

Apart from the pads drive project, Pusheka Girl also uplifts small businesses through one of their signature initiatives — the Business Shower.

“Unlike the well-known baby shower, a Business Shower is where we gather small businesses together — I bring mine, you bring yours — and we invite our communities and clients to come and support one another,” said Maxy.

“It’s about collaboration, community upliftment, and networking for growth among small businesses.

“We used to host Business Showers three times a year, but due to rising operational costs, lack of funding, and strict city regulations, we’ve now scaled down to once a year.

We’ve struggled to secure venues — like the City Hall Car Park — because of unaffordable fees and red tape.

As small businesses, we are often treated like large corporations, and it’s making it harder by the day to do what we love — help people, grow businesses, and build community,” she said.

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