By Kriz Camila Ochoa Campana | Project Leader
We’re thrilled to share a recent story that your support helped make possible! Thanks to your generosity, we collaborated with Days for Girls to host an impactful workshop in Cusco, Peru, where young girls and women received invaluable health education and, for the first time, a self-defense training session.
A Vital Need: Health Education and Resources
For many young girls in Peru, access to education around menstrual health and hygiene is limited, due to cultural stigmas, resource constraints, and accessibility issues. This lack of knowledge can lead to missed school days, lower self-esteem, and an absence of agency. With Days for Girls, our mission was to address this gap, equipping the girls with both the knowledge and resources they need to live confidently and healthily.
The Workshop: Empowering Health Education and Self-Care
The day included interactive lessons on menstrual health, hygiene practices, and self-care. Attended by many girls, the session created an open, supportive space for these young women to ask questions and engage in valuable discussions.
Each girl received a reusable Days for Girls kit, stocked with menstrual pads, soap, underwear, and educational materials. These kits will last up to three years, reducing barriers to school attendance and helping each participant feel empowered.
Self-Defense Training: Building Physical and Emotional Confidence
A particularly exciting addition to the day was a self-defense training session. Many girls in our program face daily challenges to their safety, which can deeply impact their confidence and freedom of movement. The self-defense session aimed to address this, providing girls with practical techniques to protect themselves, while also fostering a strong sense of personal confidence.
During the training, led by our staff, the girls learned basic techniques and strategies, including awareness skills and simple yet effective maneuvers to protect themselves in potentially unsafe situations. The response was overwhelmingly positive. One participant shared, “I feel stronger, like I can stand up for myself. I never thought I’d be able to protect myself in this way.”
This session not only equipped them with valuable skills but also empowered each girl to feel more self-assured and independent, knowing they have the strength to face challenges with courage.
Moments of Transformation
One of the most touching moments came during a discussion about the social stigmas around menstruation. Many of the girls revealed their previous feelings of shame and fear around openly discussing their periods. By the end of the session, there was a noticeable shift as the girls began embracing their bodies and experiences with pride and confidence.
Through both the health education and self-defense sessions, each girl left more equipped, informed, and ready to navigate challenges with newfound resilience.
The Lasting Impact: Building Stronger Communities
This workshop creates a ripple effect within families and communities. Armed with knowledge, self-defense skills, and confidence, these girls can now act as advocates within their own circles, breaking down social stigmas, sharing health insights, and setting examples for future generations.
Thank You for Being a Part of This Change
Your support is essential to making life-changing programs like this one possible. With your help, we’re not just supporting individual girls but fostering a healthier, stronger, and more informed community in Peru. Together, we’re building a future where every girl has the tools, resources, and confidence to pursue her education and dreams.
We look forward to continuing this journey with you and thank you sincerely for the difference you are helping us make.
Here is a link to a video of the session on youtube.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Links:
By Jim Elliott | Project Leader
By Jim Elliott | Project Leader
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