Birthday Celebrated in BEST Way! Charitable Man Hands out 47522 Pads

Photo Credit: Charity Begins With Me

All Stephan wanted for his birthday this year was to collect 35,000 sanitary pads; well, his wish came true, and his supporters helped him collect far more than that!

Johannesburg, South Africa (20 June 2022) – In Stephan Ferreira’s mind, every moment in life is an opportunity to give back. This includes his very own birthday, which he hoped to use to collect 35,000 sanitary pads. He was absolutely blown away when his community helped him exceed his goal and collect 47,533 pads.

Stephan Ferreira started his organisation, ‘Charity Begins With Me‘ shortly after he was first diagnosed with cancer in 2016. He realised he could do so much more with the life he had left and quickly set up the charity as a way to give back. He ran the charity throughout his chemotherapy treatments, remission and, sadly, his relapse. Whatever battles he faces in his own life, it is those of others that give him the strength to push through.

One of South Africa’s problems is adequate access to sanitary pads for girls, teens and women. The price of these items is far more than most families can afford to pay, and so many will instead go without to ensure there is food on the table. This means these girls, teens, and women use methods that are not safe or will stay home missing essential work or schooling.

There is great debate over the matter, but while the debate takes place, action is needed. Stephan, seeing this issue first-hand in his work, took up the cause for his birthday. He asked people to rather buy sanitary pads for his organisation as gifts for his big day.

His goal had been to collect 35,000, but it was greatly exceeded. This means he can help even more girls and young women.

“47 522 sanitary pads handed out today!!!

I did not want chocolates, or flowers, or wine for my birthday this year so instead, I asked for sanitary pads. Because every girl/woman should have access to these products and should not have to miss school etc. My goal was to collect 35 000 sanitary pads. We made this target in just over three months and today we handed out 47 522 sanitary pads!!!

A special thank you to each and every single person who made this possible!!!”

Stephan is continually working to better the community, so please feel free to reach out if you would like to help in any way! You can visit the Charity Begins With Me Facebook page here.