FIGHTING PERIOD POVERTY FOR GIRLS IN UGANDA
Donation protected
So many girls stay away from school every time they have a period simply because their families can't afford to buy sanitary towels. This can result in them missing up to 45 days every academic year, which is a serious step-back to their education. Many eventually drop out of school altogether, or even worse become subject to grooming and exploitation. In the words of one of the girls:
"Out of desperation, some girls get money from older men to buy sanitary pads. This results into these girls being sexually abused and eventually get pregnant or contract sexually transmitted diseases or both."
We are therefore fundraising for this local project in Jinja, Uganda which plans to launch on International Women's Day on the 8th March. This will support a training workshop over a week for 100 girls, as well as mothers with children, where they will learn how to produce sanitary towels and come together to support each other. They each get to take away two reusable pads that last for 12 months as well as the skillset to continue to make them. This really does make all the difference to girls feeling comfortable enough to go to school without any fear of being embarrassed or teased.
We are supporting this project not only because of the very important cause, but also due to our personal connections to the area. Raj is from Jinja and instead of a 60th birthday celebration would like to give back to the place of his childhood. During my time at Book Aid International I had the opportunity to work closely with Justin, who set up the resource centre running the project in memory of his daughter. We both know that every penny raised will be well spent. You can take a look here to see some of the other amazing work they are doing to support education, healthcare and community development: www.nambisseppuuyacommunityresourcecentre.com
The project will also work closely with the Kampala office of the fantastic Love Binti and Afri-pads who have provided support in the past:
https://lovebinti.step30.org/en
https://www.afripads.com/
We are kick-starting the fund with a personal donation of £500, a third of the target. The overall budget includes purchase of 5 sewing machines which will be used again and again for future training events. Please do consider supporting this project with a donation large or small - it really will change lives!
"Out of desperation, some girls get money from older men to buy sanitary pads. This results into these girls being sexually abused and eventually get pregnant or contract sexually transmitted diseases or both."
We are therefore fundraising for this local project in Jinja, Uganda which plans to launch on International Women's Day on the 8th March. This will support a training workshop over a week for 100 girls, as well as mothers with children, where they will learn how to produce sanitary towels and come together to support each other. They each get to take away two reusable pads that last for 12 months as well as the skillset to continue to make them. This really does make all the difference to girls feeling comfortable enough to go to school without any fear of being embarrassed or teased.
We are supporting this project not only because of the very important cause, but also due to our personal connections to the area. Raj is from Jinja and instead of a 60th birthday celebration would like to give back to the place of his childhood. During my time at Book Aid International I had the opportunity to work closely with Justin, who set up the resource centre running the project in memory of his daughter. We both know that every penny raised will be well spent. You can take a look here to see some of the other amazing work they are doing to support education, healthcare and community development: www.nambisseppuuyacommunityresourcecentre.com
The project will also work closely with the Kampala office of the fantastic Love Binti and Afri-pads who have provided support in the past:
https://lovebinti.step30.org/en
https://www.afripads.com/
We are kick-starting the fund with a personal donation of £500, a third of the target. The overall budget includes purchase of 5 sewing machines which will be used again and again for future training events. Please do consider supporting this project with a donation large or small - it really will change lives!
Fundraising team (2)
Erica Lang
Organizer
England
Raj Patel
Team member
