Marie Stopes South Africa Enhancing Sexual and Reproductive Health Services for women in the community.
It's Women's month in August. We have just celebrated Women's Day last week in South Africa. Miss Fine just asked me last week if Women's Day and Mother's Day are the same. Women's Day in South Africa are celebrated because strong women stood up and marched against injustices. We honour them and we want to be like them. We have come a long way, but there's still so many injustices that needs to be addressed. One of them is giving women equality, dignity and freedom of choice. That's why I love what Marie Stopes South Africa is doing.
Marie Stopes SA
On Wednesday 22 August, Marie Stopes will be opening a brand new centre in Springs, in the Springs Mall. Marie Stopes have centres across South Africa to provide quality, affordable and comprehensive services. They do not judge, but help with safe and reliable services.
Twinsaver honours special Women in August with a special edition pack supporting breast cancer survivors by donating a portion of the 9-pack to charity.
The story of one of the young survivors, Jenna Skews, hits very close to home. Our Eldest also had to deal with finding a lump in her breast. It was a big shock, as we realized that 18 year olds can get breast cancer! The first diagnoses was that is was non-malignant, and that we should not even worry. Luckily we got a second opinion, and now we know that she cannot ignore it, and needs to check it regularly. So far the fibroadenoma has not increased in size, and the hope is that it will disappear after a few years. But we cannot ignore it! It needs to be checked!
The most recent Dove Beauty Legacy campaign made me think again about the legacy I want my daughters to have! Now, at this very moment!
I want them to know they are beautiful!
Inside!
AND
Outside!
When you are young, you are always looking at the flaws and the shortcomings in the mirror.
You are always trying to get thinner and fitter and working off the big bum.
Always feeling that you are not the optimal version of the version you think you should be!
Now I know how much time I have spend on these time-wasting thoughts and activities.
I like myself so much more now that I am older. When I think about my younger self I know that I was beautiful already, and I should have spend my time on LIVING!
I am definitely not a more beautiful version of my younger self, but I am happy with who I am now!
I like my big bum because I can SIT on it! (Thank you Wise Age!)
[For health reasons I need to get rid of a few kilograms, but it won't stop me from fretting about how I look and have an impact on what I am doing!]
I look at all the young girls that is the same age of my two daughters.
They are all beautiful!
I want them to know that, and I want them to live that!
To have the confidence to march out with gusto into Life and know that they are beautiful at that very moment in time!
In the spirit of Women's Day and Month in South Africa!
To my two daughters:
You are strong!
You are beautiful!
You can do whatever you set your mind out to do!
You are the best version of yourself right now!
Do not wait for a photograph years later to say to yourself that you were beautiful all long!
Don't let anybody else tell you something different! Because it will not be true!
I am telling you the truth now!
You are beautiful!
