Water & Sanitation ensure 2000 Kenyan girls learn

The adolescence girls from the Kiangoso and Nyaisa primary school in Manga District received each a packet of sanitary pad. Our staff led by Ms.Jeria Naomi  and female teachers of the schools distributed the pads to the girls who were mostly between the ages of 12 – 14.

HWF had informed the two schools of the scheduled distribution of sanitary pads and the pupils were so eager for us. We arrived amid joy as girls could not hide their celebration on seeing our Project Vehicle arrive at the school. We were told noted girls who frequently miss school were on this day present mainly for the provisions to follow.

Through the Local Hospital – Manga District Hospital who provided a Health Officer to coordinate the reproductive and sanitation trainings we were able to provide trainings to the girls on their sanitations and reproductive health, sensitive them on the importance of cleanliness and proper use of the sanitary towels.

 We started the activity of the day on Kiangoso primary school from 9.00 am till 12.00 a.m where we proceeded to the second school Nyaisa primary school from 2.30 pm till 4.00 pm on the same day. The two primary school administrations were cooperative as they disrupt their learning schedule to accommodate us in their schools.The local Hospital – Manga District Hospital provided us with the Health Officer to facilitate the trainings to the girls.

We provided quality sanitary pads known as “always” and each girl received a packet. A total of about 130 girls received the sanitary towels. In Kiangoso primary school 56 girls received a packet each and in Nyaisa primary school 74 girls each received a packet.

“I thank all the donors from Global Giving who have contributed towards me receiving the sanitary pads, I urge them to continue with their support and God bless u” Mercy Naboke – Pupil in Nyaisa primary school.

Currently through this project we have reached 3 primary schools in Manga this year alone and we aim to reach 12 primary school by March 2012 through provision of sanitary pads. We would have loved to provide the sanitary towels to the pupils every month so as to be able to meet their monthly menstruation needs but due to insufficient funds we have resolved to atleast distribute to them once we are in receipt of the funds. We urge you our supporters to continue your assistance so that we could be able to give this girls the lives they deserve.

Health and Water Foundation through this program has been able to meet the specific objectives that were envisioned to help 2000 girls learn since the inception of this project in 2007 and all thanks to your provisions.

The specific benefits realized are;

So far, pupils especially girls are now spending more time in school doing class works. This has been realized because:

• Marginalized girls have received school uniforms and are able to attend school confidently and concentrate
• Fewer pupils absent themselves from school due diarrhea and other diseases. These cases have reduced so far.
• School girls are now more comfortable and they are no longer tempted to skip school when they have their periods. The wash rooms provided and the training given have improved their morale and confidence in handling their menstruations
• The risk of molestation and rape cases of schoolgirls has been reduced due to enhanced privacy of sanitary facilities. Girls are no longer spied on nor teased by boys when they visit the toilets/wash rooms

The following outcomes are expected to be realized in the long run.

• Higher levels of education amongst girls.
• Increased empowerment for women
• Reduced disease incidents due to availability of safe water and improved sanitation to children including 40 disabled ones, teachers and staff

Sexual Maturation, FGM and use of Sanitary Towels/Pads.

This training has been conducted to girls and provision of sanitary towels to them, We are making sure that affected girls do not miss school due to lack of sanitary towels and we have developed a mechanism of distributing sanitary towels to 5 schools in Manga District, Kenya.

The outputs were

• Sanitary towels provided for girls.
• Training on general hygiene provided to the teachers.
• Training on alternative initiation rites other than FGM.

Conclusion

The program continues to receive urgent requests for assistance with your help and we aim to reduce sanitation risks in schools in Manga District by constructing toilets in schools as some schools are having a desperate situation; the toilets have collapsed and schools face the prospect of being closed down on health grounds. In order to solve the toilet sanitation issues on toilets we require approximately USD 25,000 in order to construct toilets in five schools.We know your assistance would really help.Thank you.