Menstrual Health Kits - 5 Rural Schools in Murewa

The girls sat attentively. They were sitting in a circle, quiet and absorbing every word. The previous week, they had had all said they want to talk about “periods” and what exactly are reasons for the bleeding and how to handle the special days. It was clear that the importance of this moment was more than a mere topic, but a deep personal experience on a subject that sent out giggles and whispers, yet one that was weighty, immediate and real, which must simply be discussed.

I started the session with showing a video about ovulation and what happens to our bodies during this time, and why the bleeding takes place. The older ones said they had learnt some of the things in school, but when someone describes with a chart its different from having a video documentary.

The younger girls said their teacher was shy and did not talk much about all things they wanted to hear on this topic. The youngest ones wanted to know exactly how this bleeding happens and whether it’s painful, because they were anxiously waiting for the day the periods will arrive. The girls shared information on what they use then they have their special days. Cotton wool, cloth, newspapers, and someone mentioned leaves and the whole group was shocked. She said it quietly and yet clearly.

That required another moment of pause and reflection. Poverty, inequalities and stigma associated with this issue. We reminded ourselves of the rules in Rozaria Girls Club. All girls are equal, we respect our experiences, we support each other, and what is mentioned in the club remains in the club. We spent a little bit of time talking about the pros and cons of each of the commodities the girls use, the cost, accessibility etc. We decided to come back to this subject again another time with possibly the presence of a female nurse from the local clinic to explain to the girls some of the health issues.

We went back to the discussion social aspects of menstruation. How many girls who some time skipped their days and they worried to death but did not dare talk about it to anyone? How many girls were yet to have their period and are anxious because all their peers have “gone to the moon”- kuenda kumwedzi. How many girls have had an accident, you stand up in class, home or public place, and ooops, there is a big spot almost screaming to all? We loosened up and chatted about how the girls did and what they could possibly do in future in such circumstances. We discussed the impact on self-esteem, and how menstrual health and self-care is just so central to girls lives. It’s a monthly experience, so one should not underestimate it.

I looked out of the window, and the sun was almost setting. We had agreed with parents and girls that they will be home before sunset. We just had to break our conversation and agree to meet the following week. We stood up held hands in a circle, and each of the girls gave a self-affirmation statement, and a shared what they committed to doing that week to help themselves and others build their self confidence and self-esteem. Each girl received their pack of Farai pads, and I informed them that this given through generosity of people around the world who send us money through internet on Global Giving or direct gifts from other girls and people around the world. One day I will practically show them how you support us. They were too excited and anxious to listen to the details. Amidst thank you’s, giggles and goodbyes, the girls disappeared into the night.

That Sunday afternoon in February, 2017, changed by relationship and levels of trust with the girls in Takawira village.

I know that our work as Rozaria Memorial Trust on menstrual health and self-care is more than a hygiene issue, it’s about their girls’ lives, rights and being.  

Happy New Year to all our partners, we are excited on the prospects of a great 2017 together. We come to end of 2016 with a lot of pride of the miles we travelled together during the course of the year. Access to menstrual commodities and information by adolescents girls is a public health and human rights issue. We really appreciate that it is a right for every girl to have access to sanitary wear and age appropriate comprehensive information on sexual and reproductive health.

 Most girls in the rural schools of Murewa can hardly access the menstrual hygiene kits. This resulted in the use of unhygienic materials like newspapers and pieces of cloth as sanitary wear. In most instances, some of the girls miss classes during the time when they are on their menses.

In the course of implementing the project, we have been working closely with five secondary schools i.e Magaya, Chipinda, Chemapango, Hurungwe and Kambarami. We managed to distribute a total of 300 packs of sanitary pads with each containing 10 pads. A total of 100 of Orphans and Vulnerable girls benefited from this initiative. Each person received 3 packs. In addition, through Rozaria Girls clubs a total of 1000 girls received information on Sexual and Reproductive health, not limited to menstrual hygiene only but encompasses issues pregnancy, HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Each school was also given 10packs of sanitary packs as reserve to help girls who might suddenly have their menses at school whilst unprepared. The success recorded in brief;

• Created an open communication on girls’ menstruation in the targeted schools through the Rozaria Girls Clubs. This improved the girls’ knowledge on the issue and having a better understanding of their own bodies including their sexual development.
• Improved access to sanitary kits for 100 girls in 5 Secondary Schools who used different types of cloth as sanitary wear. This is unhygienic means can harbour some bacteria and microorganisms which cause infections.

Whilst responding to the menstrual health girls, the project also helped in the identification of girls who are vulnerable beyond the need for access of sanitary wear. A 14-year-old girl from Kambarami Secondary School was identified through the Rozaria Girls Club at the school. She lives with and takes care of her Great-Great Mother who is in her late nighties  (90’s). To her sanitary wear has been a luxury since she survived on doing menial work to get food, school fees and other basic necessities. Thanks to the linkages through this project, Rozaria Memorial Trust has adopted the girl supporting her with menstrual health needs, school needs and other basic necessities.

In 2017, our main target is to reach our target of supporting 500 girls who are mostly Orphans and Vulnerable. Through your mutual support we intend to provide each girl with a quarterly supply of 4 Sanitary Packs of 10 pads each. This will build the girls confidence and self-esteem at school and will ensure regular school attendance during the time of their menses. We will also strengthen information sharing on menstrual health with girls, parents, school authorities and policy makers. Menstrual health it’s a public health issue.

Your continued support is contributing immensely to the Sexual and Reproductive Health of adolescents girls in Murewa making sure that they enjoy their rights, build their self-esteem and improving school attendance during their menses. We are grateful for the partnership that is touching and changing lives.