Tessa Gough, a 26-year-old product owner of the start-up Savvy Sites and a dedicated runner from Cape Town, will lace up her shoes and embark on a gruelling 250km journey through the Kalahari Desert as part of the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon (KAEM) on 14 September 2024. This challenge is not just a test of physical endurance; it’s a mission to raise awareness about period poverty in South Africa.
Pictured above: Tessa Gough
“I discovered the KAEM through Erica Terblanche’s book, ‘Run for Life.’ Erica, a renowned ultra-distance runner in South Africa, inspired me to pursue the extreme challenge of desert running. The self-supported race, where participants carry all their essentials for seven days in the desert, symbolises the resilience and self-sufficiency women demonstrate daily. My goal is to inspire young girls in South Africa to chase their dreams, no matter how audacious they may seem, and to remind them of their ability to support themselves and their ambitions. Partnering with Mama Flo, an organisation helping provide women with access to free period products, period education and agency to empower themselves, highlights the message that young women can achieve anything they aspire to.“says Tessa
As of 2024, the reality for many girls in South Africa remains dire. An astonishing 7 million girls still lack access to or cannot afford basic sanitary products. In 2023, approximately 30% of young girls missed school during their menstrual cycle due to the inability to afford these essential items, resulting in around 90 days of lost education each year, solely because of menstruation.
It is astonishing that in 2024, access to free sanitary pads for every woman is still not a reality. This stark situation inspired Tessa to partner with Mama Flo, an incredible Cape Town-based organisation that works tirelessly to provide every girl who menstruates with access to period freedom, free period education, and essential menstrual products. Founded in 2020, Mama Flo has quickly become a symbol of hope, offering both short and long-term solutions to period poverty.
Pictured above: Laurie Shone, Isabella Bisogno, and Melissa Zackon, the wonderful team behind Mama Flo
Mama Flo’s approach is a multifaceted organisation which is built around three pillars, which offers:
- Workshops: These are more than just educational sessions; they are platforms for empowerment, mentorship, and community building. By engaging with young women in schools and communities, these workshops foster a sense of urgency and self-worth.
- Pad Handouts: Immediate relief is provided through small and large-scale handouts of sanitary pads, giving girls the confidence and ability to attend school and participate fully in their lives.
- Ambassadors and Interns: Through training and mentorship, Mama Flo cultivates leaders within communities. Their ambassadors, who are on the ground, play a vital role in promoting empowerment and uplifting those around them. This is an important element of the work Mama Flo does as it ensures no matter what, communities are getting a hand up and not simply a hand out.
“Growing up in South Africa, I witnessed the challenges young women face, from gender violence to lack of access to menstrual products, which often keeps them from participating in sports and activities. I’m running this ultra-endurance race to inspire others and highlight the importance of providing basic sanitary products. I’ve partnered with Mama Flo for their impactful, community-focused work in raising awareness about period poverty.” adds Tessa
Tessa believes that every girl should have the freedom to move, dance, learn, and reach her full potential without the burden of worrying about sanitary products—a basic human right. By supporting this journey, individuals are not just backing a demanding desert run; they are investing in a future where all girls can thrive and move their bodies freely.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/o_s81oHs3UE
“Period poverty is personal to me. I was fortunate enough to have access to menstrual products, but many young women in our country are denied this basic right, highlighting ongoing systemic inequalities. Mama Flo’s mission to provide free menstruation products is vital, as I believe every girl deserves this fundamental right. Without access, girls are held back from participating in sports, academics, and daily life. To reduce inequality, we must start by ensuring basic access to essential sanitary products, giving girls the best chance to reach their full potential.” Tessa told us
The goal is to raise R70,000 through their BackaBuddy crowdfunding campaign to provide 500 reusable sanitary pad packs to girls in need. Each pack contains four reusable pads, which can last up to five years. With the incredible support of Mama Flo, this goal can become a reality.
“The funds will be used to purchase packs of reusable sanitary pads (each pack is R170 and can last a girl up to 5 years!). My hope is to purchase 500 packs of these as well as help fund the distribution and educational workshops that Mama Flo facilitates as part of these pad handouts and workshops. The Mama Flo team has said that the education piece is crucial as we don’t just want to facilitate distribution but also aim to ensure empowerment through education about women’s sexual health and give them a platform to use their powerful voices. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and every donor! Every bit counts towards our goal of ending period poverty in South Africa. By supporting my journey and Mama Flo’s mission, you’re helping to break down barriers and empower girls to reach their full potential.” Tessa concludes