End Period Poverty for Students in Sri Lanka

Monthly Report: End Period Poverty for Students in Sri Lanka - #67075 

Project Title: End Period Poverty for Students in Sri Lanka 

Reporting Period : September 2024 - January 2025  

1. Introduction:

During this reporting period, Save a Life implemented key activities to address period poverty among university and school students in Sri Lanka. Our focus was on providing immediate hygiene support through distributing sanitary pads and raising awareness about menstrual health management.

2. Key Activities:

Save a Life provided sanitary pads to support university and school students across Jaffna, ensuring menstrual hygiene for young girls to reduce absenteeism and promote academic success. In Jaffna, we distributed sanitary pads across 08 Divisional Secretariats, reaching university and school students. Collaborating with our partner organization in Kilinochchi, we extended our distribution efforts to ensure that more students had access to essential hygiene products.

Our youth volunteers conducted awareness sessions for university and school students and selected communities to educate them on menstrual health management. These sessions aimed to reduce stigma, promote proper hygiene practices, and empower young girls with knowledge about menstruation. Additionally, Save a Life organized a Yoga training session at Nuffield School Kaithady, with the support of the Department of Indigenous Medicine Northern Province and Community Medical Officers. By incorporating yogasanas into their daily routine, students can enhance their mental well-being and manage physical discomfort more effectively. Yoga helps focus the mind and body on relaxation, promoting overall wellness, equality and empowerment for everyone involved.

To improve menstrual hygiene management in schools, we provided a sanitary pad storage cupboard to J/Katheeja Muslim Maha Vidyalayam. This initiative ensures that students have access to sanitary products when needed, reducing discomfort and helping them manage their menstrual cycles with dignity.

3. Challenges Faced:

Coordinating the distribution of supplies to various schools was challenging due to logistical barriers. We worked closely with local leaders and educational institutions to streamline the process. Ensuring continuous distribution of sanitary products remains resource-intensive, and we are exploring partnerships and additional funding sources to maintain sustainable support.

4. Impact on the Community:

Over 4,000 university and school students received sanitary products, ensuring better menstrual hygiene and reducing school absenteeism. The menstrual health awareness sessions conducted by youth volunteers empowered young girls to manage their periods confidently, breaking taboos and fostering an inclusive dialogue about menstrual health. The introduction of the sanitary pad storage cupboard at J/Katheeja Muslim Maha Vidyalayam provides long-term support for menstrual hygiene needs within the school environment.

5. Plans for the Next Reporting Period:

We plan to continue distributing sanitary products to university and school students. Expanding menstrual health awareness programs to more schools, universities, and communities remains a priority. Additionally, we aim to strengthen partnerships with local organizations to improve logistics and outreach for sustainable menstrual hygiene support. In the upcoming months, we will also focus on extending our support to other districts, including universities, to reach more students in need.

Your contributions have made a significant impact in the lives of thousands of university and school students in Sri Lanka. Together, we are promoting dignity, health, and empowerment for those most in need. Thank you for standing with us in this important mission.

6. Thank You:

We sincerely thank GlobalGiving and our generous donors for their unwavering support. Your contributions have made a significant difference in the lives of thousands of university and school students in Sri Lanka. Together, we are promoting dignity, health and empowerment for those most in need. Thank you for standing with us in this important mission.

Annexure 01: