Sanitary Pads Keep Ugandan Girls in School

Thank you so much for all of your continued support. It has been exciting to have Kasiisi Girls Support Project recognized by Oprah on her new registry: for all women.

Next month continues to be exciting as Dr. Moses Kissa Musaazi (MakaPad inventor) is coming to the United States for a conference on technology in DC. While in the US he will visit Vanderbilt University.

*** Here's a snapshot of a profile of a Ugandan Girl affected by the Girls Support Project:

In brief, a typical P7 (the equivalent of 6th grade) student at Kasiisi Primary School lives with her father and mother; sings in the school choir; plays netball; and likes to dance. However, when a girl gets her period, just getting to school (let alone enjoying her normal school activities) is a challenge. It is extremely tempting to skip school during this time. Girls worry about odor and leaks, and boys at school tease may her and pressure her to have sexual relations with them. Most girls have a friend who drop sout of school because she is pregnant (about 2-3 girls do every year). Girls are uncertain whether to believe boys when they say she can’t get pregnant during her periods or that if she doesn’t have sex soon she will never to able to have children. Most girls own only one pair of underpants but are embarrassed to ask their parents to buy her more. These girls are bright and enthusiastic whose path to a healthy productive future is being hampered by two very simple, easily remedied, inexpensive things: sanitary supplies and accurate information to help her avoid unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Links:

• http://www.kasiisiproject.org/KPGirlSupport/Who_We_Are.html