This last week has been heartbreaking for South Africans, but many are making a stand to do more, and this South African has decided to help UCT students!
Cape Town, South Africa – Samantha Perkins has become an avid fundraiser for important causes. Whenever a cause moves her, she steps up to help.
After the heartbreaking news of Uyinene Mrwetyana’s rape and murder, people in South Africa were outraged at yet another death of a bright young woman. Samantha, like many, was outraged and devastated by the news.
To make sure female students at the University of Cape Town (UCT) feel protected, Samantha and a group of women started raising funds to hand out 300 can of pepper spray.
“A collective of femmes in the Cape Town area aim to provide a means for women to defend themselves in these troubling times. It is thus our intention to collect funds in order to purchase and distribute at least 300 units of pepper spray @ R135 per can to women in need at the University of Cape Town.
It is our hope that this will at least make a small difference to the safety of women the interim before the government decides to initiate serious efforts to solve this deep structural issue within our society.”
“Please stand with us and contribute to the cause where possible. It is in our collective best interest to address this sickness that exists in our country, so in addition, we ask that you continue the conversation and help us keep this narrative alive. Enough is enough.”
The goal is to raise R30,000.00 for the project, all of which will be paid directly to the pepper spray supplier. Once the goods have been delivered, Samantha and Femme’s will hand them out to female students at UCT.
“In honour and loving memory of Uyinene Mrwetyana, Jesse Hess, Leighandre Jegels, Lynette Volschenk, Meghan Cremer and the many other victims of gender-based violence. We will not forget.”
Already the campaign has started to go viral, in just a few moments since writing this; the fund has jumped by a few thousand. Hopefully, this small project will inspire others and bring a little peace of mind to the women of South Africa.
If you would like to contribute to the crowdfund, you can do so here, or if you are inspired to set up your own, you can contact BackaBuddy here.