• info@chengetaiofficial.co.zw
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Phone 0774748544

Our Goal as Chengetai

Chengetai coherently goes with the motto “Chirere mangwana chigozokurerawo” loosely translated, “Nurture a child today, tomorrow she will nurture a nation”.
The purpose of Chengetai is to provide ease of sustainable access to sanitary wear for marginalised girls who are unable to have a smooth sail during ‘that time of the month’ and to provide the necessary Menstrual Hygiene Management education to the whole Zimbabwean community.

Background

Due to the unstable economic situation in Zimbabwe, the average Zimbabwean girl is unable to have ready access to sanitary wear. This has resulted in approximately 72% of these girls not having access to pads, according to the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation. This results in the use of rags, cow dung or grass and leaves during their menstrual cycle. The average pack of disposable pads has risen to approximately $3-$7 for a pack of 10. With each girl needing approximately 4 packets every month, this tallies to US$12 -$28. With an average Zimbabwean family earning a mean monthly income of US$300, where there are multiple women in one family, this could easily amount to $90-$100 per month. In comparison, a pack of reusable pads of approximately 5 pads costing $5 with each lasting 8 – 18 months.

ADVOCACY

Advocacy Campaigns have been executed over the years in the hope of enticing the government to lower the prices of sanitary wear. Advocacy efforts were made towards making the Government provide free pads for an inherent cause that women have no control over. In November 2018, the Ministry of Finance announced a lifting of duty on sanitary wear in which received a positive reception from the Zimbabwean community as most women rely on imported pads for better quality and a lower cost. A lack of an effective and hygienic padding for girls has stolen from these girls; their self-esteem, confidence, education, to mention but a few which in turn has a ripple effect in long run in Zimbabwe’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 4 and 6. The idea is then to avoid the latter by reducing the number of girls that cannot get sanitary wear by all means possible.

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SDGs

RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS OF POOR MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MANAGEMENT

HEALTH COMPLICATIONS: 

Myriads of health complications resulting from poor sanitary practice include urinary tract infections, rashes and vaginal infections only to name a few. 

More complex complications include cervical cancer.

SOCIAL RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

Social and Risk

Project Scope

Most of the women and girls that have been affected by this scourge reside in the indigent and most vulnerable places in Zimbabwe such as the rural areas and high-density areas where there is lack of inadequate water supply and sanitation, refuse collection among others. Dealing with the access and availability of sanitary wear will alleviate the burden exerted upon women by the both the economic and environmental impediments faced
in their respective communities. Access to sanitary wear would be most suitable to be provided at schools, children homes and clinics. The goal is to reach girls in vulnerable areas with provision and education on making and using their own reusable pads. The proposed places to be catered for in this regard by Chengetai include the following:

– High Schools
– Local Communities
– High Density Areas

Mission Statement

To recreate an inclusive and sustainable society in which the natural phenomenon of menstruation does not impede women from reaching their full potential.

Vision

Every woman will have access to menstrual hygiene tools and education in a society that is free of period poverty.

Values: S.T.A.R.S

SUSTAINABILITY– We do not think about today only but about a lifetime. Our Solutions to the problems we face today should breed generational impact.

 

TEAMWORK- We work together and we help each other. Every one of us matters.

 

ACCOUNTABILITY- We are transparent to one another in every aspect to encourage growth and progression within our community.

 

RESPONSIBILITY- We take charge and realise that if we want change to happen, we have to be determined to take the first step.

 

SERVICE- We value serving our society. When we act better, our society becomes better.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Project Funding Summary


The main goal is to outsource funding mainly from fundraising events, in which all of the proceeds that will be used to cover all the costs needed to purchase the materials needed to hand-sew the sanitary pads and cover other outreach costs. Other means of raising funds include: 1) Donations  2) Grants

Team

The remarkable people in our team:

(Click on each of their respective pictures to learn more about them.)

  • Ratidzo Mutangadura
    Ratidzo Mutangadura
    Chairperson
  • Tinashe Chikava
    Tinashe Chikava
    Vice Chairperson
  • Tafadzwa Saburi
    Tafadzwa Saburi
    Treasurer
  • Kudzai Mtasa
    Kudzai Mtasa
    Operations Coordinator
  • Nyasha Mvumi
    Nyasha Mvumi
    Outreach Coordinator
  • Rumbidzai Mpisaunga
    Rumbidzai Mpisaunga
    Secretary
  • Sisasenkosi Muguwu
    Sisasenkosi Muguwu
    Social media and Marketing Coordinator
Ratidzo Mutangadura
Chairperson

Ratidzo is a medical doctor currently working in Malawi. Her passions lie in sexual and reproductive health and rights. She is of the opinion that everybody deserves equal opportunities in all respects regardless of gender, race, financial background or any
other potential barrier. She also believes that we have a collective responsibility to support and elevate each other whenever and however we can.

Tinashe Chikava
Vice Chairperson

Tinashe is a finance professional that is driven by the passion to change the community around him and empower the Zimbabwean youth to realise the potential they have in bringing sustainable value to the society.
He also has a desire to lead other men towards issues that have been less familiar to the masculine community such as Menstrual Health. He is also a member of Toastmasters International.

Tafadzwa Saburi
Treasurer

Tafadzwa is a Business Analyst who is passionate about female empowerment and creating opportunities for women to be financially independent. A believer in women emancipation which is catalysed by educating the girl child. Therefore, the Chengetai initiative is important in ensuring that no school days are missed because of menstruation.A foodie who enjoys both eating and cooking.

Kudzai Mtasa
Operations Coordinator

Kudzai is a Business Studies graduate with a diverse professional background having worked with a variety of early stage growing businesses across HR, Talent and Operations. Outside of work, driven by his desire to make a positive impact, Kudzai hopes that by being part of Chengetai, he will help in changing the narrative around male involvement with initiatives focused on empowering women and promoting sustainable development across menstrual hygiene management. He believes Chengetai will eventually pave the way for the next generation of future female leaders, not only in Zimbabwe but in Africa as a whole.

Nyasha Mvumi
Outreach Coordinator

Nyasha is a medical doctor, currently based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. She believes empowered women empower other women and this makes her so passionate about Chengetai. In her own words, Nyasha believes that what makes Chengetai special is that, “There is also men empowering women and fixing their crowns. Educating and supporting women on menstrual health and hygiene is one of the key tools in boosting their confidence in all aspects of life, especially at school for the young ladies. An educated lady is definitely a powerhouse and being part of Chengetai has enabled us to create many powerhouses and we want to continue doing so.” She enjoys family time, travelling, watching football and she loves babies.

Rumbidzai Mpisaunga
Secretary

Rumbidzai is a Physiotherapist who graduated from the Netherlands with a BSc. (Hons) Physiotherapy degree in 2021. She is currently practising as Neuro-Physiotherapist and an Acupuncture and Dry Needling Practitioner in England. She joined the Chengetai team in 2022 as the Secretary and finds great joy in empowering and advocating for women.

Sisasenkosi Muguwu
Social media and Marketing Coordinator

Sisa is a bubbly medical doctor practicing in Malawi and has been a part of Chengetai since 2021 starting off as an ambassador, then a member of the social media team and now team lead.
Sisa has a passion for seeing young girls break the barriers that stand in their way of normal everyday life and also enjoys sharing useful knowledge to the general public to break stigma and to educate. Sisa believes the menstrual health should be a normal topic of discussion as to normalise such a significant part of our lives and wellbeing.