End Period Poverty: Dignity for 5K Ugandan Girls

1. Introduction & Background

Since the last update, the RED Campaign — our flagship initiative tackling menstrual health, period poverty, and girl child education — has officially been integrated into the broader Omuto School Xperience program. This umbrella initiative combines RED Campaign efforts with complementary school-based projects such as the Student Leaders Forum (SLF), GreenSchools environmental campaigns, and the PureWater Initiative. This integration ensures a more holistic, impactful, and sustainable approach to youth empowerment in schools.

2. Why the Integration?

Merging the RED Campaign into Omuto School Xperience was a strategic move to:

• Amplify impact by addressing multiple interconnected challenges in schools simultaneously

• Leverage shared resources, youth leadership platforms, and community engagement strategies

• Enhance sustainability through joint ownership by students, school leaders, and communities

3. Progress & Achievements (Since Last Report)

• Menstrual Health & Hygiene:

  • Conducted educational workshops in 2 schools, reaching over 150 students with menstrual health knowledge and stigma reduction.

  • Launched the “Minds, Toilets, Pads” strategy: Minds education campaigns completed; Toilets WASH infrastructure improvements underway; Pads production and distribution piloted with Omuto Essentials RED Pads.

• WASH Facilities Upgrade:

  • Looking for funding to Upgrade washrooms in 7 underserved schools in Kammengo and Buwama, improving privacy, sanitation, and access to clean water.

  • Engaged student RED Brigades and school leadership for maintenance and sustainability through quarterly meetings and red brigade manuals.

• Youth Leadership & Advocacy:

  • Trained over 14 student leaders through SLF on menstrual health advocacy and gender equity.

  • Next month, We are organizing the inter-school forums and campaigns raising awareness on period poverty and girls’ education.

• Community & Stakeholder Engagement:

  • Partnered with local leaders, parents, and teachers to create supportive environments for girls’ education.

  • Mobilized community volunteers to support hygiene campaigns and WASH upkeep.

4. Challenges & Lessons Learned

• Funding limitations have slowed infrastructure improvements in some schools; however, community engagement has helped fill gaps.

• Stigma around menstruation remains deep-rooted; continuous education and peer-led campaigns are essential.

• Integrating multiple projects requires careful coordination but increases long-term impact.

5. Next Steps

• Complete Toilets infrastructure upgrades in 7 schools.

• Scale production and distribution of Omuto Essentials RED Pads, aiming for affordability and sustainability.

• Strengthen RED Brigade leadership and expand their reach in new schools.

• Document and share success stories through Omuto Pulse media platform to attract new partners.

• Seek additional funding and partnerships to sustain and grow the program.

6. Thank You & Call to Support

We deeply appreciate the continued support from GlobalGiving and all our partners. Together, we are breaking barriers for girls’ education and menstrual health in Uganda’s underserved communities. Your support makes these life-changing experiences possible.

For more information or to get involved, please contact us at info@omuto.org or +256 755 999 519.