"The difference between a broken community and a thriving one is the presence of women who are valued." - Michelle Obama We are Girls Menarche Initiative, a non-profit organisation in Jinja, Uganda that is committed to providing sustainable menstrual health solutions to the communities of Uganda through service, advocacy and education. This is to curb the stigma towards menstruation whilst ensuring that girls stay in school. We are small but have big ambitions. We are passionate about empowering women and we would love for you to join us in our fight against period poverty. Some facts: In Uganda, the national survey reveals that 28% of the adolescent girls miss school because of menstruation related problems. Poor management of menstruation impacts many girls globally, especially in low and middle income countries. These challenges include lack of information, lack of access to proper and sustainable menstrual products, inadequate social support and pressure of taboos which leads to psychosocial consequences like fear, stigma, shame, anxiety and distraction. This can potentially impact the girl's ability to thrive and succeed within the school and community. It is for this reason that Girls Menarche Initiative is committed to providing sustainable solutions through: 1. Product provision 2. Advocacy 3. Education  So what are we fundraising for? The funds will be used to construct a pad sewing centre as well as a youth centre that will help us increase access to menstrual products to all those who need it. With this in place, we will be able to provide for so many more women as well as open up the space for the community to learn about all of the work we do and our volunteering opportunities.  With access to menstrual products, so many more young girls and women will be able to stay in school and live their day to day lives without the fear and stigma surrounding periods. They will successfully be able to complete school and have complete attendance which will lead to more opportunities in their careers.  What volunteering opportunities? With the youth centre in place, we hope to provide volunteering opportunities for the youth in Uganda which will help them gain confidence and independence as they prepare for adulthood.  Is that all? Of course not! The construction of a pad sewing centre will also create employment opportunities for women and young girls (helping with sewing pads), hence increasing financial independence amongst young women and girls. What to expect: Below are some of the blueprints we have designed for our centre, so you can directly see what we hope to achieve with your help. We look forward to making our dream into a reality. <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/54000386_1610902340907673_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="54000386_1610902340907673_r.jpeg" /> <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/54000386_1610902362490384_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="54000386_1610902362490384_r.jpeg" /> <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/54000386_161090238579930_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="54000386_161090238579930_r.jpeg" /><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/54000386_1610902404924187_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="54000386_1610902404924187_r.jpeg" /> Why should you support us? The support will mean that we are one step further in the fight to reduce period poverty as well as the menstrual stigma that is still heavily present in many parts of Uganda. When we reduce period poverty, we are helping to empower women and girls and showing them that nothing can stop you from achieving everything you want to. Your donation would mean the world to us and allow us to begin our journey helping to improve the lives of young girls and women all across Uganda and making a positive and influential impact on the community. If you can spare any money, big or small, we would truly appreciate it. Thank you so much for your time. If you would like to see more about what we do, below is a link to our 'Menstrual Santa' programme that we do every Christmas and a small insight into the ways you can help us... <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kDR3cpnlH4&amp;ab_channel=SharitahNakimuli" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kDR3cpnlH4&amp;ab_channel=SharitahNakimuli</a> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kDR3cpnlH4&amp;ab_channel=SharitahNakimuli" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Menstrual Santa</a>  To find out more about us and what we do: <a href="http://Follow/Like%20us%20on%20Facebook%20<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AM-A-GIRL-1837877839589764/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/AM-A-GIRL-1837877839589764/</a>" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Follow our Facebook page</a> Follow/Like us on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AM-A-GIRL-1837877839589764/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/AM-A-GIRL-1837877839589764/</a> <a href="http://Follow/Like%20us%20on%20Instagram%20<a href="https://www.instagram.com/girlsmenarcheinitiative/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/girlsmenarcheinitiative/</a>" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Follow our Instagram page</a>  Follow/Like us on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/girlsmenarcheinitiative/"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/girlsmenarcheinitiative/" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/girlsmenarcheinitiative/</a> </a> <img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/54000386_1610902680740771_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="54000386_1610902680740771_r.jpeg" /> Happy 2021, here's to another year of breaking the stigma and continuing the fight against period poverty! - Girls Menarche Initiative

Antonie Demmel

Paula Schmiedel

Nicola House

Aloys Foecker

Anonymous

Heather Knox

Maria Than

Elizabeth Stepan

Joana Walldorf

Ayah Awny Omari

Jenni James

Elisha Rain

Hannah Long

Alana Farkas

Danielle Griffin

THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PAD SEWING CENTRE

THE CONSTRUCTION OF A PAD SEWING CENTRE

Still £11,907 to go. Help us build momentum.