HEALTH WORKSHOP WITH WAYA GIRLS
Starting this menstrual cycle and hygiene project was associated with the increasing teenage pregnancies and a couple of untrue responses we got from some girls when we interviewed them. We realised they needed more education so they can feel more confident and safe in society. There are lots of stigma surrounding menstrual cycles but we need to let the girls know that it is natural and necessary.
In our engagement and research, we found out that the majority of the girls don’t know or do not have adequate knowledge of why they menstruate every month nor how to cater for themselves when they do. We decided to tackle this situation for at least 2-3 years with constant monitoring and help them have a better understanding of how to manage themselves when they go through this natural monthly phenomenon.
The session had four main parts;
- The video part with which gave the infographics about what the uterus looks like, what happens when triggered by hormones responsible for menstruation and the anatomy of women.
- In the discussion part, we had deep conversations where they got to ask questions about their cycles or experiences they are having that they think are not normal.
- In the Menstrual Calculation where we provided them with a fact sheet to use for three months recording from day one of their menstruation to the last day. We also showed them the average menstrual cycle chart, in which we explained vividly how it works and why it does so with the data they gather.
- The theoretical aspect – this is where we lectured them on theories about the menstrual cycle and hygiene.
WORK IN ACCRA
Earlier in Accra, we had an engagement with Victoria St. Clair School where we had our student doctor volunteer sensitise their adolescent girls on the good practices when having their menses and how to calculate the menstrual cycles. We had 15 girls at the engagement. We also had some female teachers at the meeting.
SCHOOL ENGAGEMENT
This month we were able to engage two schools from Accra and in the Adaklu District capital, Waya in the Volta Region. We are always concerned with developing schools that are mostly concerned about actually building the futures of the children with limited resources.
For the school in the village – The Kings Perseverance Academy, Adaklu Waya we had their new classroom blocks painted to give it a better look. We also gave them some learning materials including pencils, crayons, and drawing papers among others.
There was a training session with the teachers on getting rid of the idea of punishment and rather thinking of how the children can learn from their mistakes. We suggested and developed some practical ways in the process.
Being concerned about legal and approved ways to work in the country as a charity organization, we visited the District Assembly to have conversations about our work in the district and what we needed to do. We found out we are supposed to register with the assembly and the social welfare department to gain recognition in the district and get introduced to INGOs for support and partnering.
We are optimistic to have all the legal recognitions by the end of the year.
Meet our volunteer team, Waya Primary and JHS, The Kings Perseverance Academy before painting and after painting respectively (left to right).
