GlobalGiving.org: Affordable Sanitary Pads for 1500 Ugandan Girls

Top Three Students

Alice — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:41:01 GMT

Hi Donors!

Amazing News: This past year, the top three performing students at the Kasiisi schools were GIRLS. It's so wonderful to see the gap between girls' and boys' results narrowing so rapidly. The younger girls have role models that show that girls can be truly successful.

Quick update on myself: In two days I am moving to Port Elizabeth, South Africa on a Fulbright for the year...but don't worry... I will continue reporting with updates from Elizabeth Ross (Kasiisi Executive Director) on all the wonderful things happening in Uganda. There may also be reports from various other Kasiisi staff members to help keep everyone up to date! At the rate we're going now, 2012 is going to be a very exciting year for Kasiisi.

Please, as always, feel free to contact me with any questions/concerns/suggestions.

Best,

Alice Bator

Merry Christmas & Girls Dorms!

Alice — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:51:47 GMT

Girls Dorms

As promised, an exciting new update... WE ARE BUILDING DORMS at Kasiisi Primary School for 50 girls. Its really important that we succeed in creating a safe place for girls after school to significantly reduce the sexual overtures on the long walk home from school in the dark.

We've made great progress on the construction need some final touches:

Finishing the floors
Glazing the windows
Painting (bright colors!)
Installing electric lighting
Equipping them with furniture and beds

Please help us this holiday season by giving a little extra to finish this dormitory project! It will allow girls to have more time to dedicate to their studies and protect them from the dangers of a walk home in the dark.

"I want a dormitory because it protects us against the boys who offer us money on the way home. Being in a dormitory protects you from moving alone and in dark corners at night and you don’t get defiled" - Grace

Please see the attached PDF for more quotes from the primary school girls.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thanks again for your continued support. I'm constantly amazed by the progress we are making thanks to Elizabeth Ross and the Kasiisi team in Uganda.

Attachments:

Kasiisi xmas Update (PDF)

Thankful!

Alice — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:06:36 GMT

Younger Girls

Thanks again for your continued support. Its amazing how quickly the Girls Program has been able to scale thanks to your generous donations. Please find November's update attached in a PDF file. Also... keep an eye out for next month's update! We'll be sharing some exciting news about the scale of the peer education program (hint: more schools, more girls) and a brand new initiative to help keep girls safer at school.

Thank you again and have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

Girls Reading Class

Attachments:

The Girls Thank Nurse Lucy!

Alice — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 23:04:11 GMT

Happy September!

I thought you all would love to see a few examples of notes that some girls wrote to Nurse Lucy. They absolutely adore her and its been amazing to hear how much they trust her. Thank you again for your continued support.

Attachments:

Nurse Lucy Notes (PDF)

$100,000 We did it!

Alice — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:26:44 GMT

Thank you & Congratulations...

We hit the $100,000!

What I find so amazing about this number is that it was not 10 $10,000 donations but rather, to reach $100,000, there were 2,329 unique donations. This means that the average size of donation was $42.00, and the most frequently donated amount was $30. This accomplishment is representative of each of your donations, and the power of many 'small' acts put together to create a true difference.

I have a "real" update coming in the next few weeks when the director returns from the schools with news. Until then, enjoy the summer months and CELEBRATE!

Two big updates!

Alice — Thu, 19 May 2011 13:26:20 GMT

Hello Wonderful Donors!!

I have two big updates.

1) The results for 2010 PLE have come in! There is no difference in results between boys and girls at the Kasiisi Project schools. The average for all schools is Boys 20.6 and the girls 20.8 The eight other schools that are included in our Conservation Education programs that get no girl's interventions the girls did significantly worse than the boys (this difference is significant p=0.03).

2) Girls' Peer Education Program has expanded.... from 3 schools to to 13 schools! Now included in the training and participation in peer education are all five Kasiisi Project schools and the eight schools that participate in Conservation Education initiatives.

Thank you for helping these wonderful things happen, and please think about supporting the Girls Support Program again in the future so that these 10 schools can develop into really significant and supported initiatives.

THANKS AGAIN!

SPRING

Alice — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 22:38:46 GMT

Kasiisi Cafe @ Vanderbilt

Hi Everyone!

Hope the weather is as wonderfully "spring-y" as it is here in Nashville. Here for some fun updates:

Watch the new video in Rutooro (subtitled in English) about hand-washing for children at Kasiisi schools (made by Abigail Schoenberg and Koojo Mathew): http://vimeo.com/20228016
Check out FEBRUARY on this calendar and read the blurb! http://77agency.com/christmas2010/calendar/
Minute 1:28 of this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXBF98jZ_Zc
Kasiisi Cafe, an annual event at Vanderbilt University raised over $800 in two hours. The event featured live music by Vanderbilt students and was put on by the Vanderbilt college chapter of Kasiisi Project. Special thanks to Emily Vieth and Elizabeth Garner for their hard work making the event happen this year! This money will continue to support our secondary school scholar. (If you are interested in supporting a student through his/her secondary school, visit http://www.kasiisiproject.org/scholarships.htm)
Nurse Lucy is doing well! Elizabeth Ross reports that she is still visiting the schools regularly, distributing pads, and teaching girls about their health! More to come about this later.
Read the Kasiisi Blog to find out more about what the entire organization is doing: http://kasiisiproject.blogspot.com/

And on a personal note... I graduate from Vanderbilt in four weeks (May 13) and I would love to see if we can raise $100,000 by then!! Only $6,901 to go...

As always, thanks for your continued support and please don't hesitate to email me with questions or comments.

Best,

Alice

Half The Sky

Alice — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:02:16 GMT

Hello! Hope all is well.

Last week I had the opportunity to attend a luncheon sponsored by the Planned Parenthood of Fort Worth, TX to hear Sheryl WuDunn speak about the the book she co-authored with her husband, Nicholas Kristof, Half The Sky. Now for those of you that do not know... we love this book. This book has created a movement and has motivated thousands of individuals around the world to join in empowering women thoughout the world. As a matter of fact, many of you have given to Kasiisi Project after Half the Sky was featured on Oprah and she opened up a registry for ways to join the "Half the Sky Movement" (we're the $30 option under "Educate a Girl"). You gave because you recognized that women are critical to overall community development and educating a young girl is the first step (to improved health, economic, and educational outcomes).

Sitting next to Ms. WuDunn at dinner the night before the Luncheon I thanked her personally on behalf of Kasiisi Project for the incredible effect of her book and for her dedication to advocating for women around the world. I would like to thank each of you as well... Thank you for taking action!

Each of you have been motivated in one way or another to contribute to young women in Uganda because of Half the Sky, though your education, personal experiences, stories, research, etc. I would love to hear the story of how you became moved to take action and become involved. So if you're interested, please leave a comment below.

I recommend watching Sheryl WuDunn's TED talk, and continuing to be involved in the Half the Sky Movement.

Thanks again!

-Alice

p.s. March 8th is the 100th Anniversary of International Women's Day - mark your calendars and spread the word!

Interested in seeing for yourself?

Alice — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 01:41:25 GMT

Are you interested in seeing, first hand, our work with girls in Uganda? Have you always wanted to see great apes in the wild? This June - we have a great donor trip lined up!

The Kasiisi Project along with its research partner The Kibale Chimpanzee Project are offering a small exclusive guided trip to Uganda. We will host 8-10 guests from June 6th- June 20th 2011. This is your opportunity to visit our schools, work with the students and see 2 species of wild African great apes in their forest homes - and while you do so, to support Kasiisi Project schools and primate conservation.

Led by Kibale Chimpanzee Project co-Director and University of New Mexico professor Martin Muller and Kasiisi Project Executive Director Elizabeth Ross, this trip will take you into Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to track mountain gorillas, and to Kibale National Park to find chimpanzees. Between your forest walks there will be game drives, savanna animals, spectacular scenery and terrific birding including such rarities as (almost certainly) the elusive and extraordinary shoebill. Over cocktails in the evenings you will be able to hear lectures on the latest primatological and environmental research.

In addition you will have a chance to visit primary schools around Kibale National Park, to see for yourself how the Kasiisi Project supports school-based conservation and education programs as a way to promote gender equal educational opportunities, good health and care for the forest.

If you are interested in hearing more, please e-mail Elizabeth Ross at elizabethaross@mac.com

Elizabeth Ross: Director The Kasiisi Project

Alice Bator: Director The Kasiisi Project Girls Program

Richard Wrangham : Co-Director The Kibale Chimpanzee Project

Martin Muller : Co-Director The Kibale Chimpanzee Project

Happy Holidays!

Alice — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 16:26:49 GMT

Happy Holidays!

Thank you for your continued support! Kasiisi Girls Support Program is ever thankful and is continuing to put your money to great use! Each gift makes a huge difference to the girls, and therefore, the entire community in the around the Kibale Forrest in Uganda. Girl friendly latrines, access to sanitary pads, and to honest information about women's heath allows adolescent girls to graduate primary school and qualify to receive a scholarship for secondary school. One way to impact a girls' life directly is through providing a scholarship for secondary school. If you would like to sponsor a girl who graduates from one of the 5 primary schools affiliated with Kasiisi Project, please visit http://kasiisiproject.org/scholarships.htm and contact:

The Kasiisi Project
Akshita Deora
64 Linnaean Street #551
Cambridge MA 02138 USA

I also encourage you to give a donation as a gift during the holiday using GlobalGiving’s Tribute Cards. As you know, GlobalGiving donations are tax-deductable and perfect for end year giving! Visit: Learn how to make a donation as a gift to see how to give a perfect gift to family and friends.

Hope this holiday season is full of joy!

Blog and Update

Alice — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 19:05:22 GMT

Executive Director, Elizabeth Ross, has just posted to the Kasiisi Project blog about the progress of the Girls Support Program.

Please visit: http://kasiisiproject.blogspot.com/

Nurse Lucy continues to visit the schools regularly and provide MakaPads for the girls each month. When she's at the schools she teaches health-education classes targeted to the girls P1- P7. We recently received her school visit logs for the past two months and she has visited all schools, talking to girls about issues including HIV, life planning skills, decision making, body changes, and hand washing (for the youngest girls).

It's very exciting that MakaPads have begun to be distributed though the schools but are eager to continue forward and have Kasiisi Project house the first production site in Western Uganda!

We have made incredible strides in the past year and a half, and truly appreciate your support. None of this is possible without your generous contributions.

Thank you again.

Lucy Teaching a Lesson

Alice — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 22:45:37 GMT

Sorry for the back to back updates, but I though you would all enjoy seeing this video of Nurse Lucy as she teaches. Thanks again so much for the continued support!

Please, as always feel free to leave comments/suggestions.

Links:

Lucy Lesson Video!

"Breaking the Silence" Lesson from Nurse Lucy

Alice — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 14:07:31 GMT

Hi Donors!

September is proving to be an exciting month for all areas of the Kasiisi Girls' Support Program!

- A few days ago the FIRST EVER delivery of MakaPads arrived to the Kasiisi schools in place of the imported pads (I'll attach a photo as soon as I have one).

-In about a week, a few Kasiisi Project students will attend another training session for peer leaders provided through the Jane Goodall Institute. After this workshop is complete, there will be trained peer leaders and female staff at all 5 of the affiliated primary schools!

***

Last month, while I was in Uganda, I had the privilege of watching Nurse Lucy present a lesson she called "Breaking the Silence" to P5-P7 girls. Her approach was very interactive and she encouraged the girls to ask questions and speak up as she spoke of the importance of breaking the silence about menstruation and growing from "childhood to adulthood". I have a short video clip of Lucy in action and will put it online soon for all to see! I have included a photo of girls volunteering to hold up a poster we bought from Mango Tree (see link below) while Lucy spoke.

Thanks so much for your continued support! None of this is possible without each of your donations.

Links:

Mango Tree Uganda (sustainable educational supplies)

Attachments:

The Power of Educating Adolescent Girls (PDF)

MakaPads!

Alice — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:07:42 GMT

MAKAPADS

Dear wonderful donors,

I have great news for you! This update will focus on our progress with the MakaPad initiative but be on the lookout for another update coming soon on the health outreach program!

I returned from a trip to Uganda a few weeks ago with another volunteer, Scott Krenitski. Together we worked with Dr. Musaazi (inventor of MakaPads) and Kasiisi Project to sort of the final details including costs of transportation and distribution of the pads, and are pleased to report great success!

CONGRATULATIONS DONORS, because of your continued support, beginning this September, Kasiisi Project will officially commence the donation of MakaPads to the schools in place of the imported American brands. This adjustment will: 1. Open up room in the budget (MakaPads are less expensive than imported American Pads) 2. Support a local business (Technology 4 Tomorrow, Africa) 3. Help with conservation efforts near the Kibale National Forrest (MakaPads are made of papyrus, recycled white paper, and a plastic cover, all but one element of these pads are natural or recycled)

Girl Report

Alice — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 02:00:07 GMT

Hello again donors!

Thanks again so much for your continued support. Check out Elizabeth Ross' new blog entry at http://kasiisiproject.blogspot.com/2010/06/girls-peer-education-program-success.html to read about the success of the girls peer education program this year. Its wonderful to see how successful the program has been so far, and hopefully in the coming years the program can be spread to more primary schools! Your support has been absolutely instrumental to the development of this program by supporting our community health worker, providing supplies for health education courses, donating sanitary pads and more. None of these successes are possible without the many many people who have contributed to this program. So, again, thank you! I head to Uganda Monday so I will have more news and stories in August when I'm back home.

Until then... spread the word about Kasiisi Project, send a message via email or GlobalGiving with comments, suggestions or questions, and remember that your donation, big or small, makes a huge difference!

Links:

Blog about Girl Program

Happy One Year!

Alice — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 18:32:27 GMT

Thank you thank you thank you! I can say of behalf of Kasiisi Project, that we could not be more excited (or wonderfully surprised) to have reached one year on GlobalGiving and to have raised over $64,000 from almost 1,500 unique donors!

This year has been quite remarkable for the progress of the Kasiisi Project's Girls Support Program.

A brief summary:

Having conducted baseline research for the peer education program, and connecting Kasiisi Project and MakaPads, we are finally moving toward more tangible progress. The Community Health Worker has begun conducting health classes for the 5 primary schools, and after one more training session with the Jane Goodall Institute, will begin training peer leaders herself. After this summer, a curriculum for health education will be integrated into the school curriculum. The five primary schools each have their own set of risks, so ensuring the curriculum is adaptable to the specifics of each environment will be a challenge. At Kigarama Primary School, Girl Friendly Latrines are in the process of being built (see previous entry for images). MakaPads will be increasingly dispersed (to phase out the imported sanitary pads) to the schools starting in September, and hopefully with the next 6 months, production of the pads in the Kabarole District will begin.

THANKS so much for such a successful First Year on GlobalGiving!

As always, please respond with comments, suggestions, concerns...

Latrines & Blog

Alice — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:28:08 GMT

Hey Everyone,

Thanks as always for your generous donations.

I wanted to update everyone on an new "Kasiisi Project Blog". This blog updates about all programs of Kasiisi Project (not just the Girls' Support Program) and is a valuable way to stay up to date with the happenings of the overall organization! Check it out! Also, please find the new images of the progress of latrine construction at Kigarama Primary School!!

Thanks for your continued support.

As always please respond with question/comments/suggestions.

Links:

BLOG!

International Women's Day!

Alice — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:36:05 GMT

International Women's Day is March 8, and to celebrate women in Uganda, we wanted to tell you about all the great work we've been doing at Kasiisi Project Girls Support Program.

Here is an excerpt from a meeting on January 20th:

"Assessment of current KFSSSP Health and Girl’s support programs.

The new project nurse, Kabajansi Lucy, the KFSSSP health education and girl’s peer education programs were discussed. All participants were pleased with both Lucy and the programs so far and wanted to continue to implement and expand them. The issues of girls accessing washing facilities and soap in a discreet manner was raised particularly in schools with a male Headmaster, and the following solutions suggested:

1.) Small carved off spaces for senior woman teachers to talk privately with girls

2.) Appointment of female deputies

3.) Easily accessible soap on wash stands

4.) Proper girl’s latrines with washing facilities incorporated into them Since Lucy has taken over the handout of sanitary pads in each school embarrassment over accessing these supplies has been reduced. The design of a health education lesson plan linked to the general curriculum, appropriate for each class level and including the production of Rutooro language videos on hygiene and reproductive health were approved."

Thanks again for your continued support. Please feel free, as always, to contact us with questions or suggestions!

Happy International Women's Day!

Annual Report 2009

Kasiisi — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:04:14 GMT

Check out the Annual Report for Kasiisi Project International!

Links:

Kasiisi Annual Report 2009

HAPPY NEW YEARS

Alice — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:11:14 GMT

Happy New Years from the Kasiisi Project Girls Support Program!

Elizabeth Ross is in Uganda starting next week and we should have some photos as soon as she returns. We are purchasing five new Girls' Only Latrines (at $5,000 each). The privacy of single sex latrines is very important for girls to feel comfortable at school. FYI, pads are purchased at the beginning of each term for the girls.

Thank you for a wonderful 2009! We've been around on GlobalGiving since April and thanks to all of your generous donations and support we have passed $50,000 and 1,000 unique donors in less than nine months. We are endlessly grateful to Oprah's registry, many committed individual supporters and The Milton & Beatrice Wind Foundation. Your generous support incredible and is making a HUGE difference. I look forward to being able to send you all some new photos when Elizabeth returns from Uganda of the progress of the latrines!

Please feel free to contact us anytime. For those of you who have, we truly appreciate your feedback.

HAPPY NEW YEARS from Kasiisi Project Girls Support Program and the girls of Kikko, Kigarama, Kasiisi, Kyanyawara, and Rweteera Primary Schools.

HAPPY NEW YEARS

Alice — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 21:03:02 GMT

Happy New Years from the Kasiisi Project Girls Support Program!

Please feel free to contact us anytime. For those of you who have, we truly appreciate your feedback.

HAPPY NEW YEARS from Kasiisi Project Girls Support Program and the girls of Kikko, Kigarama, Kasiisi, Kanjawara, and Rweteera Primary Schools.

Happy Holidays

Alice — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:33:12 GMT

Happy Holidays!

We were featured on the Vanderbilt University Website. In this movie you can watch Dr. Musaazi himself speak.

Click on the video on the front page of vanderbilt.edu called, "Watch: VUCast: A life-changing journey, food that fills the soul and a holiday party that keeps on giving"

I will attach the video as soon as possible.

Thanks again.

Links:

Vanderbilt Video

Happy Thanksgiving

Alice — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:57:29 GMT

Women outside Kampala making MakaPads

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Kasiisi Project Girls Support Program is incredibly thankful for your continued support of girls in the Kabarole District of Uganda. Such enthusiastic support is allowing progress to be made at a wonderful rate.

From Uganda:

We've just received results from a survey regarding MakaPads and are looking to expand the reach of the peer education programs. Lucy, the community health worker is continuing to visit the five primary schools regularly providing counsel and accurate information to the girls and boys alike.

In the States:

On November 13, 2009, Dr. Moses Musaazi visited the Vanderbilt University campus! He spoke in a variety of venues to graduate and undergraduate students, faculty, and a variety of other visitors. Those present were inspired by his drive to find appropriate-technology based solutions to problems faced by Ugandans (and others) on a daily basis. Water and air quality, deforestation, rubbish disposal, and employment are issues that Dr. Musaazi considers as he addresses problems that need solutions.

MakaPads, Dr. Musaazi’s innovation, were the highlight of his presentation. MakaPads are the first and only sanitary pad invented and produced in ALL OF AFRICA. What follows are bits and pieces about MakaPads that I thought you might like to know:

“Maka” has a deeper meaning. In Lugandan, the local language spoken by Dr. Musaazi, “maka” means “home”. His intent was that these pads reflected this. Each letter also stands for something important:

M-Menstruation A-Administration K-Knowledge A-Affordability

“Mak” for Makarere University where Dr. Musaazi works.

Over 95% biodegradable! ***

Again, thanks so much for your support. And please make comments or give feedback as much as possible, we appreciate all advice, comments and hellos!

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." - Winston Churchill

Links:

New article from FAWE Uganda

Thank You!

Alice — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:51:23 GMT

Thank you so much for all of your continued support. It has been exciting to have Kasiisi Girls Support Project recognized by Oprah on her new registry: for all women.

Next month continues to be exciting as Dr. Moses Kissa Musaazi (MakaPad inventor) is coming to the United States for a conference on technology in DC. While in the US he will visit Vanderbilt University.

*** Here's a snapshot of a profile of a Ugandan Girl affected by the Girls Support Project:

In brief, a typical P7 (the equivalent of 6th grade) student at Kasiisi Primary School lives with her father and mother; sings in the school choir; plays netball; and likes to dance. However, when a girl gets her period, just getting to school (let alone enjoying her normal school activities) is a challenge. It is extremely tempting to skip school during this time. Girls worry about odor and leaks, and boys at school tease may her and pressure her to have sexual relations with them. Most girls have a friend who drop sout of school because she is pregnant (about 2-3 girls do every year). Girls are uncertain whether to believe boys when they say she can’t get pregnant during her periods or that if she doesn’t have sex soon she will never to able to have children. Most girls own only one pair of underpants but are embarrassed to ask their parents to buy her more. These girls are bright and enthusiastic whose path to a healthy productive future is being hampered by two very simple, easily remedied, inexpensive things: sanitary supplies and accurate information to help her avoid unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Links:

http://www.kasiisiproject.org/KPGirlSupport/Who_We_Are.html

Next Steps...

Alice Bator — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:03:06 GMT

Dancing Girl at Kasiisi Primary School

Lots of new updates...

*** Check out the attached report from this summer's work ***

Here's a sample of some of the questions girls asked me during small group meetings. The girls in P5 – P 7 (4th grade – 6th grade) asked a ton of really valuable questions. Some were alarmingly false (the first one for example…) and others were remarkably intelligent and based in a good understanding of STDs, hygiene, sexual behaviors, and relationships.

Q: Is it true that if I don’t play sex by the time I’m 17 years old I will develop a bone in my private part and never be able to have children?

Q: Why do girls get their menstrual period and boys do not?

Q: What are the signs of Chlamydia?

Q: If someone with HIV coughs on me, can I get it?

Q: Can I share clothing with someone with HIV, or will I get HIV?

Q: How can I make my breasts develop? Does playing sex make them come faster?

Q: How can I best protect myself against STDs?

Q: If someone has HIV, what is a good way for them to eat to stay healthy?

Q: How can I help a girl who has a habit of playing sex with boys?

Q: I only have one pair of knickers and I have to walk to school when I have my menstrual period. I do not have pads at home and by the time I get to school my knickers are spoiled and then I have nothing to wear with my pad. What should I do?

Q: I live with my uncle and I am ashamed to ask him to buy me a pair of knickers. What should I do?

Q: Are there condoms for primary students even though we are told we have to abstain?

Q: My school gives me pads, but what do I do when I go to secondary school. I cannot afford to buy one for myself.

Q: Is it normal to get my period for more than 3 days?

Q: If I count the number of reeds on my wall can I decide how many days I will get my period?

Q: Is it ok to sit in the sun when I have my menstrual period?

*****

Check out the attached "New Project Document" and pay particular attention to our updated budget.

Here's a brief annotation of the first year budget:

Program Supervisor will ensure accountability on the ground and will provide communication and transparency.

Motorbike will provide transportation for the supervisor to travel between schools.

Imported sanitary pads and underwear are important as the girls reported having insufficient pads and having one (if any) pair of underwear. The imported pads will begin to be phased out as the MakaPad plant takes form (most realistically 5 years out)

Peer Education and teaching aids will continually increase the human capitol within these schools and develop further the knowledge based education.

The trained peer educators reported a urgent need to show videos on sexual health to their peers. They reported that their peers occasionally doubt the validity of the information, so the leaders believe that showing films they saw during training workshops will give increase accountability. (Thus the projector, generator, screen, batteries and Rutooro language films).

Girl-Friendly latrines are important because they provide a private place for girls as to avoid the embarrassment the girls report in co-ed latrines.

****

Again, thank you thank you thank you for your continued support.

Best Wishes!

Links:

Attachments:

Returned from Uganda

Alice Bator — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:31:15 GMT

New Motor Bike for administrative aspects of Kasiisi Project

Hi Everyone!

Thank you for your continued support.

Sarah and I just got back from a six week trip to Uganda.

“We spent the first four weeks in Kampala, Uganda. During this time we worked with the director of Technology 4 Tomorrow, Dr. Moses Musaazi, a professor and inventor at Makerere University. It is Dr. Musaazi who created and engineered MakaPads. With his small staff, we learned more about the product, production, and future possibilities of this important product for young women and old. To support Dr. Musaazi’s research, we spent the majority of our time in Kampala interviewing women employed through the production of MakaPads, visiting local NGOs, band, embassies, UN organizations discussing possibilities for CSR investments.

The following two weeks we were in the Kabarole District working with Kasiisi Project Girls' Support Program. We (Sarah, Lucy-the local nurse, and I) worked the five primary schools, working with the head masters, head women (responsible for guiding and counseling the girls), P5, P6 and P7 girls, as well as the peer educators at Kasiisi Primary School.

Many promising and exciting connections and solid groundwork was accomplished including a potential partnership with UNICEF, increased number of workshops through Jane Goodall Institute to train peer educators, a plan for the CHW to work in the schools 2x a week with first aid and girls support programs, and even seedlings toward a MakaPad operations plant in Ft. Portal which will employ single mothers of school aged children.

Attached are a few photos and links to see more of what we've done!

Best Wishes. Please feel free to contact me by e-mail if you would like more information or if you have any suggestions.

Lucy (nurse/ CHW) works with primary school girls 2x a week

Interviews/ Q&A at Rweteera Primary School

Links:

While We're Gone...

Alice Bator — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:14:40 GMT

Hi Everyone!

Thanks again for all of your continued support!

Sarah Quirk and I take off for Uganda this Saturday, and wanted to update you on a few quick things before we head off.

**** Please Check out the newly updated website: http://www.kasiisiproject.org/KPGirlSupport/KP_Girls_Support_Program.html

**** You may follow our blogs while we're away. Sarah's in not up and running yet, but once it is you will be able to find it on the Kasiisi Project website. I am bloging for change.org at: http://globalservice.change.org/blog?guest_blogger_id=257

**** You may also follow us on twitter @KPGirls

Have a wonderful summer and we'll check in again when we've returned!

Best Wishes, Alice Bator

Thank you!

Alice Bator — Sun, 24 May 2009 01:23:48 GMT

Hello everyone!

Lots of good news...

First I want to thank you thank you thank you (webale muno, muno, muno) from the girls of Kasiisi Project for contributing to "Affordable Sanitary Pads for 1500 Ugandan Girls" during the recent challenge. As a result of your contributions, we can came in 1st place for number of donors (!) and 2nd place for total funds raised. This means we also received a $3,000 bonus toward the project! Additionally, because we exceeded $4,000 and 50 donors, our project now has a permanent spot on GlobalGiving!

As for project updates... Yesterday, I spoke on the phone Professor Moses Musaazi, the inventor of MakaPads. Sarah and I will work conduct field research with him this summer. Likewise, initial implementation will begin in a few weeks when surveys, interviews, and general preparation begin at the affiliated schools. More to come later in the summer once there is more concrete information to relay.

In the meantime you can follow the progress of this and other programs through the website www.kasiisiproject.org

Thank you again for all your support. Through your generous donations we will be able to provide the salary for a female community health worker, donate biodegradable sanitary pads to keep girls in school, and open up the possibility to train additional peer leaders through the Jane Goodall Institute (and even more to come in the future).

I also ask that you please comment on our site with any feedback.

THANKS

GlobalGiving.org: Affordable Sanitary Pads for 1500 Ugandan Girls

Top Three Students

Merry Christmas & Girls Dorms!

Thankful!

The Girls Thank Nurse Lucy!

$100,000 We did it!

Two big updates!

SPRING

Half The Sky

Interested in seeing for yourself?

Happy Holidays!

The Kasiisi ProjectAkshita Deora64 Linnaean Street #551Cambridge MA 02138 USA

Blog and Update

Lucy Teaching a Lesson

"Breaking the Silence" Lesson from Nurse Lucy

MakaPads!

Girl Report

Happy One Year!

Latrines & Blog

International Women's Day!

Annual Report 2009

HAPPY NEW YEARS

HAPPY NEW YEARS

Happy Holidays

Happy Thanksgiving

Thank You!

Next Steps...

Returned from Uganda

While We're Gone...

Thank you!

The Kasiisi Project
Akshita Deora
64 Linnaean Street #551
Cambridge MA 02138 USA