Binga, 18 November 2025… The People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB), Zimbabwe’s leading financial services provider, has donated sanitary wear to girls at Siachilaba Secondary School in Binga, Matabeleland North Province, under its ongoing “Donate a Pad and Keep a Girl in School” initiative.
The initiative allows POSB staff to contribute sanitary pads or donate leave days, which are converted into cash for the purchase of menstrual hygiene products. The Bank matches staff contributions to amplify impact, ensuring that more disadvantaged girls in remote and underserved communities receive the support they need to remain in school during their menstrual periods.
Siachilaba Secondary School is the latest beneficiary of this programme, which targets underprivileged girls in need of menstrual hygiene assistance. Recently, the Bank extended similar support to Neruvanga Secondary School in Masvingo.
Each girl at Siachilaba received sanitary pads sufficient for a year, helping to reduce absenteeism, enhance classroom concentration, and uphold dignity during menstruation.
POSB Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Garainashe Changunda, reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to advancing education, particularly in rural and remote communities, as part of its broader efforts to empower marginalised groups.
“As the people’s bank, POSB is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve, especially in remote districts such as Binga. The Donate a Pad initiative underscores our commitment to addressing menstrual health challenges that continue to impede girls’ education and empowerment. Every girl deserves access to proper sanitary wear so she can pursue her education without interruption,” said Mr. Changunda.
According to recent surveys, approximately 70% of schoolgirls in Zimbabwe lack access to sanitary wear and resort to using unsafe materials such as old rags, while some reportedly turn to cow dung.
Mr. Changunda further highlighted that POSB places education and schools at the core of its community development initiatives.“Beyond this donation to Siachilaba, POSB has provided sanitary pads to Neruvanga Secondary School in Masvingo and, just last month, equipped seven rural schools in Gokwe, Chipinge, Bubi, and Bindura with 5kVA solar kits. These efforts form part of our broader strategy to ensure that schools, particularly in rural and marginalised areas, have access to both essential learning resources and reliable energy for modern education,” he added.
In line with its commitment to closing the rural–urban digital and energy divide, POSB recently launched an USD 8.7 million Solar and Starlink Facility — a financing programme designed to provide schools, SMEs, and households across Zimbabwe with affordable solar power and high-speed internet connectivity. The facility seeks to promote equitable access to energy and digital learning for all learners.
Mr. Changunda called on other stakeholders to collaborate in improving learning conditions across the country.“Limited access to sanitary products, reliable energy, and internet connectivity in schools remains a major challenge that requires collective action. By working together, we can safeguard the dignity, health, and future of the girl child, while strengthening the education system that supports her aspirations,” he said.
Siachilaba Secondary School Deputy Head, Mr. Njabulo Moyo, expressed gratitude to POSB for its continued commitment to education and youth empowerment.“This generous gesture from POSB will significantly improve our girls’ health, confidence, and school attendance. They can now focus on their studies without the burden of managing menstrual hygiene. We are deeply grateful for POSB’s continued efforts to uplift the education and well-being of our learners,” he said.
The handover ceremony was attended by POSB representatives, school authorities, parents, traditional leaders, and members of the Siachilaba community, who commended the Bank for its unwavering dedication to empowering the girl child and enhancing education across Zimbabwe.
About POSB
The People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB) is Zimbabwe’s only 100 percent homegrown savings bank that has served the nation by providing quality, affordable and accessible banking services for over 120 years. Formerly the Post Office Savings Bank, POSB, was established in December 1904 as a statutory fund to mobilise savings for national development. From January 1905 until 1965, the Bank conducted its operations through the Post Office infrastructure network. In 1965, the Post Office Savings Bank Act {Chapter 249} was promulgated thereby providing for the administration of the Savings Bank by the Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (PTC) on an agency basis. Finally, in 2001, the People’s Own Savings Bank of Zimbabwe Act (Chapter 24:22) was promulgated. This Act effectively established POSB as a corporate body, separate from PTC. Learn more about POSB at www.posb.co.zw and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn (@POSBZimbabwe)