In the heart of Uganda where I come from, Vibrant culture dances with the struggles of everyday life, there exists a group of young girls whose dreams are as vast as the African sky above them. Yet, their aspirations are often overshadowed by a harsh reality—one where access to basic menstrual hygiene products is a luxury they cannot afford since most of them are from the rural part of Uganda such as Iganga, Lugazi, Nkokonjeru, Kyankwanzi, Bududa, karamoja, yumbe, Amuria, Kisoro etc
Zennah Mirriam is one of the girls we Identified from Kinoni village, a bright-eyed teenager with dreams of becoming a doctor. Every month, she faces a daunting challenge: her family simply cannot afford factory-made sanitary pads. With each cycle, she grapples with the choice between attending school or staying home, as the lack of proper hygiene products brings shame and discomfort. It’s so comfortable and shameful story she told us on how she and other girls would use soil to stop the blood during their periods.
Amidst the adversity, we came in with hope—a beacon of light in the form of local initiative aiming to empower girls like Mirriam. Understanding the unbearable pain these girls go through, we managed to get a few passionate volunteers who gathered resources and we were able to give-out free sanitary pads.
Unfortunately, this only solved a short-team problem leaving the huge part of the problem unsolved. After a series of meetings, now seek the initiative to provide education and resources for the production of reusable sanitary pads, offering a sustainable long-team solution to an age-old problem.
By the grace of God and your faithful giving’s, we were able to conduct 3 trainings each lasting a week and a total of 37 girls was empowered in the districts of Lugazi, Kyankwanzi and Kiboga girls gathered to learn the art of pad-making. With skilled instructors guiding them, they transformed simple fibre materials into life-changing tools of empowerment. As they stitch and sew, laughter filled the classes, and bonds of sisterhood were forged in solidarity.
Through the initiative, the girls didn’t only gain access to essential hygiene products but also reclaim their dignity and self-worth. No longer shackled by the limitations of poverty, they were also taught on money generating skills such as baking, shoe making, book making, and also taught about dangers of early marriage, early pregnancy etc. At the end of the training, they stood tall, ready to conquer the world with newfound confidence and determination.
But this journey towards empowerment is not without its challenges. The cost of materials, transportation, meals, accommodation and educational resources often strain the limited budget of the initiative, threatening to extinguish the flame of hope that burns so brightly in the hearts of these resilient young ladies and mothers of our next generation, the hope to our existence.
From my side, I could have stopped by now because of the endless frustration that comes with the financial barden, but then these countless phone calls of appreciation that I receive from these girls the long hand-written messages. They fuel my desire to be used for a greater cause.
This is where I and my team of 6 artisans request for your support, Our target this year is to equip 270 girls from 8 districts. Help us reach our goal. You can make a world difference in the lives of these girls. Your donation will provide the necessary funds to purchase materials, conduct workshops, and expand the reach of this life-changing initiative to even more communities in need.
Together, we can rewrite the narrative for girls like mirriam, transforming their struggles into stories of resilience and triumph. Let us stand hand in hand, as allies in the fight for menstrual equity, ensuring that no girl is left behind simply because she cannot afford a pad.
Join us on this journey towards dignity, and together, we can make a lasting impact that transcends borders and empowers generations to come.