SANITARY TOWELS FOR GIRLS IN RURAL SCHOOLS

Dear Esteemed Donors,

We are writing to provide an update on our recent visit to Mugusu Primary School, where we conducted an important educational session on menstrual hygiene, health, and menstruation. This initiative, supported by your generous contributions, is part of our ongoing mission to ensure that young girls, especially those in rural areas, have access to the knowledge and resources they need to manage their menstrual health with dignity and confidence.

On 20th March, 2025, Our team, visited Mugusu Primary School in Kabarole District. The goal of our visit was to address the common challenges young girls face in managing menstruation, such as stigma, limited access to menstrual products, and inadequate hygiene practices. We began with an interactive discussion on menstrual health, educating students about the biological aspects of menstruation, the importance of maintaining menstrual hygiene, and how to manage hygiene during menstruation. Our objective was to empower the students to feel more comfortable discussing menstruation, reduce stigma, and encourage healthy practices for their well-being.

During the session, we explained the biological process of menstruation and highlighted that it is a natural and healthy part of a woman’s life. We also shared practical tips on managing menstruation hygienically, including the proper use and disposal of sanitary pads and the importance of keeping clean during menstruation. We raised awareness about the health risks of poor menstrual hygiene, such as infections, and discussed how proper hygiene can help prevent these issues. We also spoke openly about the societal taboos surrounding menstruation, encouraging conversations free from stigma among students, teachers, and parents.

As part of our effort to provide essential resources, we distributed menstrual hygiene kits to the girls. Each kit contained reusable sanitary pads, knickers, booklets, and bags to help the girls manage menstruation hygienically for an extended period. These kits were given to girls in need, ensuring that they no longer had to miss school or endure discomfort due to lack of menstrual products.

The response from both the students and teachers was overwhelmingly positive. Many girls expressed their gratitude, mentioning that it was the first time they had learned about menstruation and hygiene in such detail. Teachers also appreciated the session, as it gave them the knowledge to better support their students in managing menstrual health. One teacher remarked, “This session has opened our eyes to the challenges our girls face. We didn’t realize how much stigma and lack of education were affecting them. We are grateful for this program and the resources you’ve provided.”

This visit is part of a larger effort to reach more schools and communities with important menstrual health education and products. We are working to expand our outreach, provide more educational programs, and distribute more menstrual hygiene kits to girls in need. We are also exploring ways to partner with local health centers and community leaders to ensure long-term support for menstrual health after our initial visit.

On behalf of the entire Joy for Children Uganda team, we want to express our deepest gratitude for your continued support. Your generous contributions make these crucial programs possible, and together, we are making a difference in the lives of young girls across Uganda. We look forward to sharing more success stories with you and hope that we can count on your ongoing support as we expand our impact.

Thank you for standing with us and the children of Uganda.

We are pleased to share a report on our recent activity, carried out in celebration of International Women's Day on March 8, 2025, where Joy for Children Uganda focused on menstrual health. With your generous support, we were able to distribute essential menstrual hygiene products, including knickers, reusable pads, and hygiene bags, to young women and teenage mothers in the Acutukum community, Lira District.

Background

In many communities across Uganda, menstruation remains a sensitive and often taboo subject. This stigma, combined with a lack of access to proper menstrual hygiene products, creates barriers for young women and girls. Many miss school and face challenges in managing their menstrual health. Teenage mothers face compounded difficulties balancing childcare and education, while also dealing with their menstrual health needs.

Recognizing this, Joy for Children Uganda sought to make a difference by providing these young women and teenage mothers with essential menstrual hygiene products, helping them maintain their dignity and health while ensuring they could continue their education and daily activities.

Activity Overview

On March 8, 2025, in the Acutukum community of Lira District, we distributed menstrual hygiene products to 150 beneficiaries, consisting of 50 young women and 100 teenage mothers. The products included:

• 150 pairs of knickers
• 150 reusable sanitary pads 
• 150 hygiene bags to discreetly store and carry the products

In addition to the distribution, we conducted educational awareness sessions on menstrual health and hygiene. These sessions covered topics such as understanding menstruation, proper use of menstrual products, and the importance of maintaining good hygiene. We also introduced the idea of reusable menstrual products and discussed the broader impact of good menstrual hygiene on overall health.

The initiative achieved its main objectives of improving access to menstrual hygiene products and raising awareness. With the provision of these products, young women and teenage mothers were able to manage their menstrual health with more dignity, confidence, and comfort. Many of the beneficiaries had previously missed school during their menstrual periods, and this distribution helped reduce absenteeism.

Through our educational sessions, we empowered over 150 young women and girls with valuable knowledge on how to manage their menstrual cycles hygienically. This awareness will help ensure better long-term health and hygiene. Moreover, the community engagement fostered open conversations around menstruation, helping to reduce the stigma that often surrounds this natural process.

Testimonials from Beneficiaries

Jemimah, a 16-year-old student, shared, "I used to skip school during my periods because I couldn't afford pads. Now, I feel confident and proud that I don’t have to miss any classes."

Doreen, an 18-year-old teenage mother, said, "The hygiene bag has made it easier for me to carry my menstrual products discreetly. I am thankful for this support."

Conclusion

This Women’s Day initiative has had a meaningful impact on the young women and teenage mothers of Acutukum. By addressing their menstrual hygiene needs, Joy for Children Uganda has helped improve their health, well-being, and dignity. We are proud to have empowered these young women to continue their education and lead their lives with greater confidence.

We sincerely thank you, our donors, for making this activity possible. Your contributions have made a lasting difference in the lives of these women and girls, helping them break down barriers and move toward a healthier, more empowered future.

Next Steps and Recommendations

Looking ahead, we plan to continue providing menstrual hygiene products on a regular basis to ensure that young women and teenage mothers have consistent access to essential resources. We also recommend expanding our awareness campaigns to further educate the community about menstruation, reducing the stigma surrounding it. Also, we will implement a monitoring system to track the long-term impact of these initiatives on school attendance, health, and well-being.

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support. Together, we are making a positive impact in the lives of young women and teenage mothers in Uganda.