Improving children's health and education

In a push to improve upon the reliability and affordability of menstrual products in Madagascar and address the health concerns associated with the more common methods of menstrual hygiene/health management (MHM), SEED Madagascar has been working to move away from the use of vorotsembo (old cloth) as it lacks in the reliability, affordability, and safety of many sustainable menstrual products. Pad-making sessions have now been permanently integrated into the Sekoly Programme after an enthusiastic response to the success of SEED’s pilot sessions.

Over the course of three comprehensive sessions, students learn how to trace, cut, and sew their own reusable pads, and are tested on their ability to autonomously assemble them in their final lesson. The pads are made using a soft cotton fabric for comfort, accompanied by a removeable insert to facilitate easy changes. For security, the pads are designed with wings which are fastened with buttons around the underwear. By the end of the sessions, students have three reusable pads and soap for cleaning, with pad maintenance covered within the lessons.

Investing in women and girl’s education is transformative! At Sarisambo Lower Secondary School, one of SEED’s active school construction projects, students have expressed their excitement in learning how to make reusable pads. The girls' ability to craft cost-effective, durable, and sanitary menstrual products fills them with confidence and teaches them a useful skill. It’s one that can be passed on to their sisters, mothers, friends, and neighbours creating a empowering effect within the community

Madagascar’s rural Anosy region is under-resourced and school attendance is low. Insufficient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities contributes to transmission of diseases and exacerbates absenteeism among female students who cannot access Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) facilities. Through Programme Sekoly, construction is underway for education infrastructure and WASH facilities for 129 students and six teachers at Beraketa primary school, and 726 students and 27 teachers at Sarisambo primary and lower secondary schools.

SEED is excited to give new updates from these two latest construction projects as multiple project milestones have been accomplished. They include completion of the roof repair at Sarisambo primary school, delivery of 70 out of 100 desk benches which are already in use, and completion of five gender segregated ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines. At Sarisambo Lower secondary, the 3 room classroom has been erected with the roofing completed. Windows and doors are currently under installation, and painting will be completed later in 2023. One of the two latrine blocks at Lower secondary is complete, and the other block is ongoing. The 10,000 litre water harvesting systems have been installed at both primary and Lower secondary sites which will provide water at the hand washing stations, the MHM facilities, and provide safe drinking water for all students and teachers.

At Beraketa primary school, construction of three new classrooms and four gender segregated VIP latrines is also underway. At both Beraketa and Sarisambo schools, the teacher accommodation construction plans are being developed.  These will enhance school management, provide additional security for the school, and support teacher livelihood. SEED has trained school staff and community members to deliver WASH education lessons at the schools to ensure sustainable and autonomous maintenance of the facilities. 

SEED looks forward to sharing more exciting stories from project Sekoly, and the transformations happening in rural Madagascar. Thank you for your support!