Keep Tanzania's Girls in School

During the previous month, Direct Relief Tanzania conducted a series of planned outreach activities focused on hygiene education and menstrual management awareness among female students in publicly owned secondary schools. The organization successfully implemented education sessions at Mwanakianga Secondary School and Mazae Secondary School, reaching a total of 56 female students.

The core activity carried out was a participatory education program designed to improve students’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to personal hygiene and menstrual health management. Organization staff and committed volunteers facilitated interactive sessions that covered key topics such as basic personal hygiene, understanding menstruation, safe and hygienic menstrual practices, proper use and disposal of sanitary materials, and addressing common myths and stigma surrounding menstruation. The sessions were delivered in a student-friendly manner, encouraging open discussion and questions to ensure that learners felt safe and confident engaging with the subject matter.

In addition to theoretical discussions, the facilitators emphasized practical guidance on maintaining hygiene during menstruation, especially within the context of limited resources commonly faced by students in public schools. Students were guided on how to manage menstruation safely at school and at home, how to recognize signs of infection, and when to seek help from trusted adults or health professionals. Teachers present during the sessions expressed appreciation for the approach, noting that menstrual health is often overlooked despite its significant impact on school attendance and academic performance for girls.

The immediate outcomes of these activities were positive. Many students reported improved understanding of menstrual health and increased confidence in managing their hygiene during menstruation. Several participants openly shared that this was their first opportunity to receive structured and accurate information on the topic. The sessions also helped normalize conversations around menstruation, reducing embarrassment and silence that often surround the issue in school environments.

Although the financial support received for this project is very small in relation to the overall objectives, Direct Relief Tanzania has remained committed to ensuring continued progress. Organization members and staff have voluntarily devoted their time, skills, and energy to sustain project activities. By minimizing operational costs and relying on internal capacity, the team has been able to reach beneficiaries despite limited resources. This dedication reflects the organization’s strong belief that even modest interventions can make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable students.

However, the limited level of funding continues to present challenges. The current resources restrict the number of schools and students that can be reached, as well as the ability to provide complementary materials that would further strengthen the impact of the education sessions. There remains a significant unmet need among many other public schools in the community where female students face similar challenges related to menstrual hygiene, lack of information, and social stigma.

Direct Relief Tanzania therefore kindly appeals to the GlobalGiving community to continue supporting this project. Continued and increased support will enable the organization to expand outreach to more schools, reach a larger number of students, and enhance the quality and consistency of the education provided. With sustained backing, the project will be better positioned to achieve its stated objectives of improving menstrual hygiene knowledge, promoting dignity and confidence among schoolgirls, and contributing to better health and educational outcomes.

The organization remains deeply grateful for the trust and solidarity shown by the GlobalGiving community and looks forward to building on this progress to create lasting positive change for girls in public secondary schools.

Direct Relief Tanzania is proud to present this quarterly project report, highlighting the progress and impact of our menstrual hygiene management (MHM) awareness campaign conducted in the past quarter. The campaign was designed to educate and empower female students in various public secondary schools across Tanzania on menstrual hygiene, breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation, and addressing one of the silent yet critical barriers to girls' education.

Despite facing significant funding limitations, the project has achieved notable milestones. Our collective efforts have not only improved knowledge and attitudes toward menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls but have also planted the seeds for long-term behavioral and institutional change in the schools and communities we reached.

Key Activities Implemented

Over the past quarter, the following activities were carried out:

• Community School Visits: A total of 2 public secondary schools were visited in  Dodoma region. Each visit included interactive workshops on menstrual health, self-care, and nutrition.

• Student Awareness Sessions: Over 800 female students participated in group sessions led by trained facilitators. These sessions included Q&A forums, testimonies from older peers, and the distribution of informative leaflets in both English and Kiswahili.

Challenges Faced

• The primary challenge throughout the implementation period was underfunding. Due to financial constraints, the project could not reach all the schools initially identified in the planning phase. Some intended activities, such as distribution of sanitary pads had to be postponed.
• In addition, there were logistical limitations in accessing remote schools and maintaining continuous engagement with students post-session. Despite these barriers, the passion and commitment of our team, volunteers, and school partners enabled us to make tangible progress.

Appreciation

Direct Relief Tanzania would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all individuals, partners, donors, volunteers, and organizations who contributed in various ways to make this project possible. Your support  whether financial, material, or moral  meant the world to the girls we reached.

Thanks to your generosity, girls who once missed school due to shame or lack of products now walk into classrooms with greater confidence. You have helped create safe spaces for dialogue, dignity, and growth.

The Way Forward

While we are proud of the strides made this quarter, our mission is far from complete. Menstrual poverty remains a leading cause of school dropouts among girls in Tanzania. We therefore urge all supporters, old and new, to continue standing with us as we expand this initiative.

With adequate funding and consistent community involvement, we can reach more girls, provide sustainable access to sanitary products. Every contribution big or small  makes a difference in keeping girls in school and safeguarding their right to education.

This quarter has demonstrated that with commitment, compassion, and collaboration, meaningful change is possible  even under financial constraints. Direct Relief Tanzania remains dedicated to the cause of menstrual equity and the empowerment of every girl child.

Let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s keep our girls in school.

Thank you.