Anneeda Pekeur

Community Youth Heroes

Nominee's Province:
Western Cape

Age:
33

Project Name/Description:
Anneeda’s Endo Outreach Project

More info:
https://www.facebook.com/anneeda.sacco1

Pekeur, 33, from Montagu, Western Cape, tirelessly works to spread the word about endometriosis to her community through her non-profit organisation, Anneeda’s Endo Outreach Project. In 2016, she lost her baby and was later confirmed infertile and that’s when she registered her organisation, Anneeda’s Endo Outreach to start spreading the word about endometriosis and lupus. “I saw that an organisation was needed to help empower, uplift others and raise awareness about female health, especially the stigma attached to the endometriosis and female health in general,” says Pekeur. Pekeur started struggling with the condition at the age of 10 when her period started, but the ailment was only diagnosed when she was 21. Soon thereafter her condition worsened and suffered from fatigue, chronic pain and hypertension, after which she was diagnosed with lupus. Using her own funds, mostly sourced from her mother, two aunts, and good Samaritans, the organisation assists individuals, families and babies in the area with food parcels and other necessities such as nappies and sanitary products. Anneeda’s Endo Outreach Project, which operates from the house Pekeur she shares with her husband and adopted son, has helped about 300 individuals so far. “Finances are tight – everyone is feeling the pinch. We’ll appreciate all the help we can get,” she says. Endometriosis is a disorder whereby a tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the womb, making it harder for a sufferer to fall pregnant. Its growths are prone to swelling and bleeding during a woman’s menstrual period.