Girls Go Back to School in Uganda
Schoolgirls are returning to classes happier and are getting better grades, according to a senior teacher at Busambala School.
This is thanks to IRFF-UK's ongoing period poverty support efforts in the Kampala district near Lake Victoria's shoreline in Uganda.
Many girls experience period poverty as they lack access to menstrual hygiene products due to their cost.
'In Uganda... period poverty, or the inability to afford menstrual hygiene products, causes nearly a quarter of girls between the ages of 12 – 18 to drop out of school once they begin menstruating. School absence rates for girls triple when they are on their periods.'
Senior Teacher at Busambala Primary and Secondary School
"Before you came to our school, girls were using rags, paper, and even leaves. Many girls could not even attend school during their periods."
Senior Primary School Teacher, Busambala
Menstruation is sometimes misunderstood and considered taboo, not only in Uganda but in many countries. The stigma impacts their physical, mental, and emotional health.
The senior teacher explained in an interview with Sylvia (Senior teacher at Destiny Junior School) that girls who did turn up for classes often cried from pain or shame.
Destiny Junior School is a flagship project of IRFF-UK in the town of Kibiri, just south of the capital city of Kampala.
Jesca Kyaligamba carefully checking the hygiene pads
Jesca is IRFF-UK's representative in Uganda (Headteacher at Destiny School). She understands the girls' needs and is highly motivated to "spread the love" for students and pupils in Busabala and others beyond her own.
"Now the girls are clean, the girls are smart, and the girls are performing better in class than before we started working with Basabala Primary School."
Senior Primary School Teacher, Busambala
IRFF-UK has been instrumental in bringing awareness of this and other challenges girls face through the ongoing Girls Health & Support Project, or 'Girl-Child', as the locals call it.
"Sincere and deepest thanks to you all as your help has lifted a heavy weight from us teachers... Now they can attend classes, even during their periods, because they feel safe with the sanitary pads and panty liners and other products that you are providing."
Senior Primary School Teacher, Sylvia
Checking menstrual products with senior teacher Silvia (right)
Can We Do More?
IRFF-UK is currently supporting some 400 girls in three schools in Uganda. But we would love to help many more. With your help, we know we can.
It only costs £1 on average to supply one girl with disposable sanitary pads for one month.
So, a one-off donation of just £5 will help keep five girls in school for a full month.
A recurring monthly donation of £5 would keep those five girls in school for as long as you would like to support their education.
You could even set your own target for how many girls you would like to help out.
If you can, please act now by clicking on the 'Donate Today' button. Your act of kindness could change their lives. Please know that every pound of your gift will be used for the girls.
Thank you!
(The IRFF-UK team)
