You know how when you stray from a routine, it can be really hard to get going again? Once you skip a day at the gym or miss a class, it’s a little bit easier to do the same the next day.
For a lot of girls in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, the same happens with school once they get their periods. If they don’t have the right supplies to help them through, they might miss a few days of class one month. And another.
Soon, it’s all too easy to stop going to school.
For teachers, watching these days add up to missed opportunities and lack of education is pretty painful. They’re on a mission to turn things around.
In addition to more sanitary pads, the girls also need things like more underwear and soap.
“Soap, knickers, and sanitation pads help the girls,” said Pinklenn, one of the teachers. “Sometimes you might find that a girl comes to class and she is afraid of standing up because she is worried about bleeding. She doesn’t want to leave the class, just wants to sit.”
But with more supplies from our team, she said, “Now they won’t be afraid to stand up and be active!”
These kits were one way to show that their teachers see the challenges these girls face – and are stepping in to do something about them. It’s about easing their mind, about helping them stay concentrated on their studies – with just a few small tools that add up to big dreams.
This day of change brought to you by Edmentum’s We Can Learn Foundation
