Armed with a passion to keep the girl child in school, especially when she’s on her menstrual cycle, Merebank’s Roshni Naicker is determined to leave behind a powerful legacy through her humanitarian work. Naicker recently sat On the Couch with the Merebank and Chatsworth Tabloid to tell us more about her journey.
MCT: Who is Roshni Naicker?
Roshni Naicker: I am a ‘born-and-brought-up’ native of Merebank, the founder of the non-profit organisation, Save the Dignity of Our School Girls, and entrepreneur which I use the proceeds of to fund charitable events through the NPO. I am also a cancer survivor so I am passionate about assisting organisations and drives such as CANSA and Cupcakes for Hope.
MCT: Tell us how you began the Save the Dignity of Our School Girls NPO?
RN: My NPO’s aim is provide free sanitary pads to school girls in the Merebank area. It all started in February 2021 after my tenants niece came home from school as she did not have a sanitary pad nor was she provided one at school. This was when I saw the lack of this basic item in school so I immediately put a message out to friends and family and did my first distribution at Alipore Primary and Ganges Secondary in Merebank.
MCT: What have been some of your challenges thus far?
RN: The main challenge is trying to help as many schools as possible but not able to due to lack of donations, hence my fundraisers such as bus trips and drives at shopping malls.
MCT: What have been some of your highlights?
RN: Highlights have been the support from the community who always assist whenever I’m hosting any events and that’s what is so good about the community I live in.
MCT: What are your day to day responsibilities with your NPO?
RN: I’m always available to help, not just with sanitary pads but I am approached for clothing, food hampers or even just a loaf of bread from some of the needy in our community so my days are always full. I have also begun a birthday cake drive together with Darlings Bakery where we offer a birthday cake to kids whose parents are unemployed.
MCT: What do you think is the most impactful way people can support the NPO aim?
RN: I have boxes put at Dr S Pillay’s and Dr Kandasamy’s surgeries as well as at Care Pharmacy in Merebank so people are welcome to drop a pack of pads at any of these points or they can contact me directly as well.
MCT: What’s the best piece of advice, life lesson or message you have received from a child?
RN: I always put stickers with my contact information on packs so I often receive messages from the girls who have called me ‘a blessing in disguise’ as they used to stay home during the menstrual cycle. Some would cut up old shirts and use as pads, it broke my heart and it overwhelmed me that I could make a difference in their lives.
MCT: How would you spend your days if you had unlimited time and resources?
RN: I would love to help other communities, if only I was able to that would be a huge success story for me.
MCT: What smell, image or sound triggers nostalgia for you?
RN: The smell of mums cooking, when we used to walk home from school it could be smelt all the way down the road!
MCT: If you had your own late night talk show, who do you invite as your first guest?
RN: My first guest on my talk show will be my mum, she has so many insightful lessons to teach the young women of today.
MCT: Would you rather travel back in time to meet your ancestors or to the future to meet your descendants and why?
RN: Back in time – I was two-years-old when my paternal gran passed on and just 22 when dad passed on. I would love for them to see how far I have come and that I continue to uphold their legacy of always giving back to our fellow man.
MCT: If you could donate a million rand to any cause other than your NPO what cause would you choose?
RN: Meals on wheels without a doubt.
MCT: What is a basic skill that you believe all people should master?
RN: The skill of humanity.
MCT: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
RN: My bucket list has changed since being on my deathbed with Covid-19 in 2021, where my husband lost his battle to the virus. It was to get my driver’s permit and travel the country. My first bucket list item was achieved last December when my daughter took me to India.
MCT:What legacy do you hope to leave behind?
RN: I hope that when I’m not around, Save the Dignity of Our School Girls continues and would love for future generations to uphold what I have achieved thus far.
MCT:How can people join hands with your organisation for future events?
RN: They can contact me on 079 565 1567 for more information on our future drives.
