During August, the month celebrating women, there is a renewed call for people to support the Handbag Project.
The Simon’s Town Museum has asked all communities to donate new, unused or second hand women’s handbags, which are in turn, given to Rape Crisis Centre for women who have been raped.
The handbags are filled with sanitary towels, a new facecloth and soap/bodywash, deodorant, a non-perishable snack and a notebook and pen. You can include a toothbrush and small toothpaste and comb. Please include a note of support and care for the recipient of your handbag. Especially important is underwear.
The underwear can be in any size, and can be for women, children and men.
Use drawstring bags instead of handbags for donations for children.
These also need to be filled with the same sanitary products (sanitary towels not tampons) a new facecloth and soap, and a snack.
For the children, you can include a small stuffed toy for comfort, some shampoo and hairbrush or comb with hair bands.
Bulk packs of any of these items can be used to supplement existing care packs.
Simon’s Town Museum remains closed, but you can arrange a drop-off/pick up from Vicky or Tazneem on 021 786 2046 or from Cathy on 065 527 4969 from Saturday August 1. Visit: https://rapecrisis.org.za or zeenat@rapecrisis.org,za or
www.jff.org.za for information.
“We feel very strongly about the issue of rape and would appreciate everyone getting involved. Ask your friends, family, neighbours. There has been a massive surge in gender-based violence during the Covid-19 pandemic,” said museum manager Cathy Salter.