By Sonya Kahlenberg, PhD | Executive Director, The Kasiisi Project
In December, we wrapped up another school year in Uganda. Over the past year, we directly trained 559 students across 16 schools to make affordable reusable menstrual pads (RUMPs) in our after-school health clubs. Our past surveys show that this program keeps girls in school (e.g., 82% of girls said that after learning how to make RUMPs, they never missed school because of their periods). Our skill-building also goes beyond our trainings, since 68% of trainees went on to train other friends and family members to make RUMPs. Our RUMPs trainings are part of our larger, holistic health program which educates girls and boys about puberty, reproductive health, hygiene, nutrition, and the prevention of diseases common in our part of Uganda (e.g., malaria, HIV). Our clubs also facilitate medical services for students, such as government vaccinations. All of this work is aimed at keeping kids healthy and in school.
However, this goal is not possible without buy-in from parents. Parental outreach is therefore a key component to our programming, and we engage with parents in several ways. At the beginning of the school year, we meet with parents to explain and discuss what will be taught in our health clubs. At the end of the school year, students also participate in a “showcase” where they demonstrate to their parents what they learned. In December, nearly 2,000 parents and 3,100 children attended the showcases. We find that these events create interest in our health club activities, such as RUMPs trainings, and make it more likely that what is taught is implemented and supported at home. We also lead a program for parents which educates about reproductive health and, importantly, how to talk to their kids about it. In 2024, as part of this effort, we distributed 1,000 parental handbooks to participants of this program as well as to school libraries so parents can use the handbooks as a resource for engaging with their kids.
We're grateful for your ongoing support and for being part of our GlobalGiving community. We are looking forward to another impactful year ahead for Ugandan girls!
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By Sonya Kahlenberg, PhD | Executive Director
By Sonya Kahlenberg, PhD | Executive Director
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