By Alice Aluoch | Project lead
Quoting Richard Kimani, one of the volunteers in our October 2015 Sanitary Pads distribution in Kitui county-Kenya.
‘Participating in Mfariji Africa -Kitui sanitary pads distribution held in October 2015 still remains one of my most memorable moments this year. I experienced firsthand how lack of sanitary products impedes school attendance and takes away girls confidence. Interacting with the girls and sitting through the training as Mfariji Staff mentored and taught the girls was overwhelming. The girl child has a right to get Education because that can be her one way ticket out of poverty. We have a call to help their dreams come true and I couldn’t be more proud to volunteer with Mfariji Africa and see how practical their project is in generating confidence in girls who will be the next generation of leaders. Richard
Our team of 4 left Nairobi at 5am on Thursday 22nd October to undertake a journey of over 200km.Their purpose was to visit, train, and mentor and distribute sanitary pads to 8 primary schools in 1 day covering 500 girls in Kitui county-Kenya. This without doubt was one of the busiest pads distributions we have carried out this year. As usual the team was excited and energetic ready to interact, engage and learn from the girls. The incredible support we got from teachers was absolutely amazing!. We must indeed acknowledge Mrs. Kithuka the headmistress of Kangondi Primary school-Kitui, who was highly engaged from the start. She put in amazing work coordinating the other 7 school heads and arranging for training space with the local church since the girls could not fit in any classroom.
The day progressed well with a lot of learning and open discussions as the girls shared their challenges to fight cultural barriers and taboos surrounding menstruation that they experience as they fight for an opportunity to stay in school and perform better. We were privileged to also get a surprise visit from Faith Muthoni of Zana Africa (http://www.zanaafrica.org/). Zana Africa as a partner has supported our work with in Kind donation of sanitary pads and innerwears enabling us to reach more girls in need.In Faiths own words…I had a privilege to meet these lovely girls in Kitui who have wonderful aspirations, dreams and a great purpose in their lives. They walk miles to get to Kangondi primary school to receive sanitary towels and panties, something that helps them stay in school to achieve their purpose in life.Our partner Mfariji Africa is definitely doing an amazing job.
We are proud to be part of the solution in making sure that PERIODS don’t get in the way of a Girls right to Education. Slowly with your support as donors and friends of Mfariji Africa we are becoming the unsung heroes vested in creating a generation of leaders and change agents!
We have attached a link to a blog done by the team on our website and a video that speaks for itself on the importance of giving girls a chance in school.
Links:
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