By Jyoti Singh | Project Lead
Dear Friends,
Greetings from Indian Dreams Foundation!
We are pleased to come up with the story of one of our beneficiary of Smiley Days Project. Who has experienced her first menses a few months ago and dealt it with confidently.
Neha (name changed), a 14 years old girl and living in a dense slum of Agra, Uttar Pradesh state with her parents and four younger siblings. Recently she has discussed her story more over her experience with Smiley Days team about her first-period experience.
Neha said, “Now I have entered womanhood – a proud aspect of my life. A few months ago, I began menstruating like my other friends. It was morning time, I realised something wet in my inner wear that felt awkward. I rushed to the washroom to know the reason and I checked downward. It was my first menses, I was feeling shame and nervous. But at the same time, I remembered that it is a part of every girl’s life, although it’s a natural biological process that I learnt during the Smiley Days workshop in my school.
I informed my mother about my first menses and she was so happy that her daughter has begun her new journey towards womanhood. The knowledge & information that I gained during Smiley Days workshops worked a lot that time. I managed my first periods with confidence and didn’t skip my school the next day.
My mother told my grandmother about my menses. My grandmother instructed my mother that does not allow Neha in the kitchen because she is impure now. But my mother took a bold step and told her that NO! Neha is not impure even she is healthier. Periods are the symbol of good health; we should celebrate it not to surround her with foolish taboos & myths.
That day I realised how important for every girl to know about her periods. I thank Smiley Days team to equip me the right information and education about period issues”.
IDF is delighted to witness such a massive change in girls’ lives and hopes to create an army of happy and confident girls.
Many thanks again for your support!
We will continue to keep you updated about our work, events and story of change.
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Regards,
Team IDF
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