Reproductive Health Uganda Project #53861

Increase Skills & Use of Pads by 200 Girls, Kamuli

Project Report | Oct 7, 2026
MAKING REUSABLE SANITARY PADS

By Harriet Babikako | Director

Activity Period: July-September, 30^th 2026
Location: Kamuli District, Uganda
Implementing Organisation: Child and Family Foundation Uganda (CFU)
Target Group: Adolescent Girls

1. Introduction

Child and Family Foundation Uganda (CFU) conducted a practical menstrual hygiene activity in Kamuli District during the last quarter of 2026, aimed at equipping adolescent girls with skills to make reusable sanitary pads using locally available and affordable materials.

Limited access to affordable menstrual hygiene products can affect girls' dignity, comfort, school attendance and participation in community activities. The activity therefore combined menstrual health education with practical skills development to promote self-reliance, sustainable menstrual hygiene practices and girls' empowerment.

2. Objectives

The activity aimed to:

Equip girls with practical skills to make reusable sanitary pads using locally available materials; and Increase girls' knowledge and awareness of menstrual hygiene management.

3. Participants

The activity targeted adolescent girls in communities supported by Child and Family Foundation Uganda in Kamuli District. The girls participated in both menstrual health education and hands-on pad-making sessions.

CFU staff and facilitators guided the girls through the practical process while creating a safe environment for discussion and questions about menstruation.

4. Materials Used

The girls were trained to use locally available materials, including:

Clean cotton and absorbent fabrics- Measuring tape, Buttons, press studs or other suitable fasteners, Clean, soft recycled cotton clothing, Towel material for additional absorbency, Thread and needles, Sewing machines where available, Scissors

The importance of using clean, safe and skin-friendly materials was emphasised throughout the activity.

5. Activities Conducted

The session started with menstrual health education, covering menstruation, personal hygiene, safe menstrual practices and common challenges experienced by adolescent girls.

The facilitators then demonstrated how to make reusable sanitary pads. The girls actively participated by:

Selecting and preparing suitable materials.
Measuring and cutting the different layers.
Preparing the absorbent inner layer.
Assembling the different layers.
Sewing the layers together.
Adding wings and fasteners to keep the pad securely in place.
Checking the finished pads for comfort and functionality.

The girls were also taught how to properly wash, dry and store reusable pads to maintain hygiene and prolong their useful life.

6. Key Achievements

The activity achieved the following:

60 girls acquired practical skills for making reusable sanitary pads.
Participants increased their knowledge of menstrual hygiene management.
Participants learned how locally available materials can be used to produce affordable menstrual hygiene products.
Girls were encouraged to share appropriate menstrual health information with their peers.

7. Challenges

Some challenges identified during the activity included limited access to sewing equipment, differences in participants' sewing experience, availability of suitable absorbent materials and limited time for practical training. Some participants were also initially shy about discussing menstruation. This was addressed by creating a supportive and confidential environment for questions and discussion.

8. Lessons Learned

The activity demonstrated that combining menstrual health education with practical skills development makes learning more engaging for adolescent girls. The hands-on approach enabled participants to immediately apply what they had learned.

The activity also showed the potential for reusable pad-making to become more than a menstrual hygiene intervention by providing girls with a practical skill that could potentially contribute to self-reliance and income generation.

9. Recommendations

CFU recommends that:

Menstrual hygiene education and reusable pad-making continue to be integrated into schools in Kamuli.
Additional sewing machines and materials be provided to support practical training.
Girls' groups be supported to produce reusable pads for personal use and, where feasible, for income generation.
Parents, teachers and community leaders be engaged to create supportive environments for girls during menstruation.

10. Conclusion

The menstrual hygiene activity conducted by Child and Family Foundation Uganda in Kamuli District during the last quarter of 2026 successfully provided adolescent girls with practical skills for making reusable sanitary pads from locally available materials.

The activity contributed to improved menstrual health knowledge, confidence and self-reliance among participating girls.

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Jun 6, 2026
Quarterly Progress: Hygiene & Skills

By Nakalembe Ruth | Program Officer

Introduction

This quarter, the project focused on staying connected with the 25 adolescent girls who participated in the previous hygiene education and HIV testing sessions. Rather than introducing new training activities, the emphasis was on follow-up, encouragement, and preparing for the next phase of practical skills training.

The goal was to ensure that the knowledge gained earlier was not only remembered but also practiced in daily life.

Activities Implemented and Key DevelopmentsFollow-up with Adolescent Girls

The project team held follow-up conversations with the 25 girls, creating space for them to reflect on what they had learned in the previous sessions. These discussions revealed encouraging stories of change.

Several girls shared that they had continued practicing improved hygiene habits, especially around menstrual hygiene and handwashing. Others mentioned that they had begun sharing what they learned with friends and siblings, helping spread positive health messages beyond the original group.

These moments highlighted how small, consistent interventions are beginning to influence daily behaviors and confidence among the girls.

Story / Testimony

"Before joining the sessions, I did not know much about managing my periods properly. I often felt uncomfortable and shy, especially at school. After attending the hygiene education sessions, I learned how to keep myself clean and confident during my periods. Now I am not afraid anymore, and I even shared what I learned with my younger sister so she can also take care of herself better."
— 15-year-old participan

Conclusion

Although no new training sessions were conducted this quarter, it was an important period of connection and preparation. The project remained close to the 25 adolescent girls, reinforcing positive behavior change and hearing their experiences firsthand

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Dec 29, 2025
Hygiene Education & HIV Testing Activities

By Ruth Nakalembe | Program Officer

Introduction

During this quarter, the project focused on intensive hygiene education and HIV testing, building on the previous quarter’s liquid soap-making training for adolescent girls. While no practical skills sessions were conducted this quarter, emphasis was placed on strengthening knowledge, behavior change, and health-seeking practices related to personal hygiene, menstrual hygiene management, and HIV prevention.

The activities targeted adolescent girls who had previously participated in project interventions, ensuring continuity and reinforcement of key health messages.

Activities Implemented and Key Achievements

Hygiene Education Sessions

The project conducted hygiene education sessions for 25 adolescent girls, focusing on:

Menstrual hygiene management
Personal hygiene and cleanliness
Handwashing practices
Proper use of hygiene products

The sessions were participatory and allowed girls to openly discuss hygiene challenges and misconceptions.

Achievement:

25 girls reached with hygiene education, meeting the planned target for this quarter.
Improved knowledge and awareness on menstrual and personal hygiene practices were observed among participants.

HIV Testing and Counseling

In collaboration with health service providers, the project facilitated HIV testing and counseling for the same group of 25 adolescent girls. The process included both pre-test and post-test counseling to ensure informed decision-making and emotional support.

Achievement:

25 adolescents accessed HIV testing and counseling services.
Increased awareness of HIV prevention, testing importance, and available referral services.

Lessons Learned

Continuous hygiene education is essential for sustaining behavior change, even without practical sessions.
Integrating hygiene education with HIV testing increases participation and acceptability among adolescents.
Youth-friendly and supportive environments encourage adolescents to access sensitive health services such as HIV testing.

Monitoring and Evaluation Highlights

Participant Feedback: The majority of the 25 girls expressed satisfaction with the hygiene education sessions and appreciated the inclusion of HIV testing.
Knowledge Improvement: Post-session discussions indicated improved understanding of menstrual hygiene and HIV prevention.
Behavioral Intent: Several participants reported intentions to improve hygiene practices at home and encourage peers to seek HIV testing.

Conclusion

This quarter focused on consolidating knowledge and promoting healthy behaviors among adolescent girls through hygiene education and HIV testing. Although no practical skills training was conducted, the project successfully reached 25 adolescent girls, strengthening their awareness, confidence, and health-seeking behavior.

These activities have prepared the participants for the next phase of the project, which will reintroduce practical skills training, including menstrual pad making, supported by improved hygiene knowledge and health awareness.

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