Cape Town - They may look like just any other trendy summer top, but Rock Girl vests represent something bigger for a group of teenagers from the Red River Primary School in Manenberg.
The vests, sold exclusively at clothing and accessories store Jenni Button in Cavendish Square, are designed by international artist Paul du Toit and 100 percent of the profit goes to the Rock Girl Leadership and Education Fund, which empowers young girls to stay in school and motivates them to become economically independent.
Headed by activist and human rights lawyer India Baird, Rock Girls is aimed mostly at Grade 7 pupils who are determined to succeed despite living in communities riddled with gangsterism, drug abuse and poverty.
Baird meets the girls at the school several times a month. The girls do their homework, take part in extramural activities and sometimes have special visitors such as artists, entrepreneurs and government officials.
“It’s about forming healthy relationships with each other and at the same time, when they meet successful people, they get a glimpse of a world they can aspire to,” Baird said.
Rock Girl Rashieda Nolan, 13, said the group kept them out of trouble and saved them from being bullied.
“Doing homework at school with the girls is better than doing it alone at home. They (Rock Girls) are like my sisters”. - Cape Argus