White River School’s Civvies Day Restores Dignity and Comfort to Young Girls and Women

Photo Credit: Uplands White River via Facebook

Trading uniforms for cosy threads, White River learners dedicated a civvies day to raising over R6,000 and collecting essential donations to bring comfort and dignity to women and girls supported by GRIP and the Khumbula Community Centre.

Mpumalanga, South Africa (29 September 2026) – When dressing up is about SO much more than simply looking good!

The learners of Uplands White River recently dedicated a day to giving their uniforms a rest, showing up to school in some of their neatest and cosiest threads. Beyond the clothing, the day was, at its core, about rallying the entire school community to raise funds for worthy causes like the Greater Rape Intervention Programme (GRIP) and to collect sanitary pads and teddy bears for charities such as the Khumbula Community Centre.

Both causes, while serving different purposes, have programmes that support young women and girls during vulnerable times in their lives.

Photo Credit: Uplands White River via Facebook

The Civvies Day raised funds, which were allocated toward assembling care packages for survivors of gender-based violence and sexual assault at GRIP, providing essential personal items and comfort products given to victims during emergency treatment and counselling.

The physical donation drive targeted sanitary products to support young women in Khumbula Village, helping alleviate school absenteeism caused by period poverty.

“Together, we raised R6,190.70, alongside an inspiring outpouring of sanitary pads and teddy bears. The spirit of giving shone brilliantly, from one remarkable R1,000 donation, to another bringing 20 packets of sanitary pads, to pupils who thoughtfully contributed all three items to ensure every area of need was reached,” shared Uplands White River educator, Mrs Monette Stratford.

Thulisile Mndawe from Khumbula Community Centre in Khumbula Village has already collected the donated products, which will go a long way in supporting young women in the community. Meanwhile, learners from the school’s BUILD initiative used funds raised to create care packages for GRIP, which they have also been successfully delivered.

“These are just some of the ways the generosity shown on Civvies Day is being transformed into real support for people in our wider community,” Stratford said.

Forming the ‘Uplands heart in action’, this initiative aligned with the school’s Community Service/Outreach programme, which encourages pupils to take personal responsibility for surrounding communities in the Lowveld region.

And there is more to come! The school confirmed that it still has two more projects to complete using what they collected through the Civvies Day drive.

“Thank you to every pupil and staff member who contributed. Your generosity continues to make a difference long after Civvies Day itself has passed,” a grateful Mrs Stratford thanked.