The founder of this project, Racheal Nalubulwa, who grew up in Uganda knows first hand the difficulty young women encounter. By using her own personal experiences she has contributed to the health and well being of other girls over the years as this picture demonstrates. She saw other girls missing classes and felt compelled to help. This age, and school, can be very difficult time in a young girls life, and boys can be very cruel. Driven by a desire to help other girls overcome this stigma that is a natural part of a woman s life, she has decided to set out on a much larger scale and have a greater impact. She feels that no girl should ever need to endure the humiliation and loss of social interaction that she has had to endure growing up.
In order to accomplish this she has expanded her dreams into a business concept so that other girls can not only be provided these products, but to help them with employment too and aid in furthering the self esteem of others. By establishing a small business in the beginning her intent is to make not only reusable sanitary pads and employ local girls. Over time she will become less reliant on donations and loans and become self supporting, as she knows she can not fulfill this need on her own.
Introduction
This project intends to extend materials and information on menstrual hygiene to vulnerable school girls in rural primary schools across Africa and beginning in her home land of Uganda who are at risk of missing classes and social interaction. Menstruation is an integral and normal part of human existence. Menstrual hygiene is fundamental to the dignity and well-being of women and girls. It is an important part of the basic health services to which every woman and girl has a right.
Girls in rural settings, in particular girls in schools, suffer most from stigma which may weaken their self-esteem, especially among the opposite sex. There is lack of services and facilities to help them cope with the physical and psychological pain they undergo during their menstrual periods.
Those having their periods for the first time lack information on how to handle their menstrual hygiene, there are also many others that miss school due to the fact that they cannot afford sanitary pads. This exposes the girl to the risk of poor overall performance at school. It is well know that educating a girl also educates a nation due to their uplifting attitude towards others.
In a research conducted by the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), they reveal that lack of sanitary pads, coupled with other factors like the absence of water or separate toilet for girls in many rural primary schools, is responsible for the increased dropout rate.
This initiative therefore comes to train girls in rural communities of Uganda, specifically in primary schools on how to manage their menstrual hygiene, coupled with the free reusable sanitary towels that can last for more than twelve months.
This initial pilot project of six months, after which we will assess the progress and will guide us into how best to expand the program to different districts of Uganda and across Africa. The pilot project will first impact Mpigi district with a target of providing services to 300 girls in upper primary. With the availability of resources, a shop will be established for making reusable sanitary pads and clothing designs. We will also be in position to pass on the skills to the girls on how to make the pads, use them and also overall menstrual hygiene.
Area of implementation
Donor funding
Local funding from individuals and institutions
Fundraising campaign for $3 for a pad to keep a girl in school.
Sales of clothing and fashion design
Sustainability
We are planning to run on a fully sponsored budget for the first six months, during which we will be able to evaluate how best to move forward but this pilot project is 100% charity driven.
Conclusion
This is an opportunity to empower the African girl child so that she can keep in school irrespective of the menstrual pains. It is an opportunity to share love with them and show them how best to deal with the menstrual hygiene, boost their self-esteem and raise the next generation of female leaders that will help those that will come after them. We therefore call for your in-kind contribution towards the realization of the initiative that will not only provide reusable sanitary pads to vulnerable primary school girls but also create employment. Total budget for this project is projected to be $4,883.00 and a detailed accounting is available upon request.
For more information you can reach Racheal at serenesoftsweetgirls@gmail.com
In order to accomplish this she has expanded her dreams into a business concept so that other girls can not only be provided these products, but to help them with employment too and aid in furthering the self esteem of others. By establishing a small business in the beginning her intent is to make not only reusable sanitary pads and employ local girls. Over time she will become less reliant on donations and loans and become self supporting, as she knows she can not fulfill this need on her own.
Introduction
This project intends to extend materials and information on menstrual hygiene to vulnerable school girls in rural primary schools across Africa and beginning in her home land of Uganda who are at risk of missing classes and social interaction. Menstruation is an integral and normal part of human existence. Menstrual hygiene is fundamental to the dignity and well-being of women and girls. It is an important part of the basic health services to which every woman and girl has a right.
Girls in rural settings, in particular girls in schools, suffer most from stigma which may weaken their self-esteem, especially among the opposite sex. There is lack of services and facilities to help them cope with the physical and psychological pain they undergo during their menstrual periods.
Those having their periods for the first time lack information on how to handle their menstrual hygiene, there are also many others that miss school due to the fact that they cannot afford sanitary pads. This exposes the girl to the risk of poor overall performance at school. It is well know that educating a girl also educates a nation due to their uplifting attitude towards others.
In a research conducted by the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), they reveal that lack of sanitary pads, coupled with other factors like the absence of water or separate toilet for girls in many rural primary schools, is responsible for the increased dropout rate.
This initiative therefore comes to train girls in rural communities of Uganda, specifically in primary schools on how to manage their menstrual hygiene, coupled with the free reusable sanitary towels that can last for more than twelve months.
This initial pilot project of six months, after which we will assess the progress and will guide us into how best to expand the program to different districts of Uganda and across Africa. The pilot project will first impact Mpigi district with a target of providing services to 300 girls in upper primary. With the availability of resources, a shop will be established for making reusable sanitary pads and clothing designs. We will also be in position to pass on the skills to the girls on how to make the pads, use them and also overall menstrual hygiene.
Area of implementation
- Girls will be in position to know how to effectively manage their menstrual hygiene.
- There will be a reduction in school dropout due to such challenges.
- The girls will be able to gain self-esteem even during their periods because they will be empowered on how to cope and manage the situation.
- It will be an opportunity to inspire them to stay in school and avoid all those acts to that may cause them to drop out of school.
- The girls will feel a sense of belonging and love, which will motivate them to do even better academically.
- This can be a foundation to instill many more other skills to the girls, which can help them and their families to earn a living
Donor funding
Local funding from individuals and institutions
Fundraising campaign for $3 for a pad to keep a girl in school.
Sales of clothing and fashion design
Sustainability
We are planning to run on a fully sponsored budget for the first six months, during which we will be able to evaluate how best to move forward but this pilot project is 100% charity driven.
Conclusion
This is an opportunity to empower the African girl child so that she can keep in school irrespective of the menstrual pains. It is an opportunity to share love with them and show them how best to deal with the menstrual hygiene, boost their self-esteem and raise the next generation of female leaders that will help those that will come after them. We therefore call for your in-kind contribution towards the realization of the initiative that will not only provide reusable sanitary pads to vulnerable primary school girls but also create employment. Total budget for this project is projected to be $4,883.00 and a detailed accounting is available upon request.
For more information you can reach Racheal at serenesoftsweetgirls@gmail.com