Over the last 1 1/2 years the girls project in Tanzania “Nguvu na Hadhi”, which means “Strength and Dignity” has been helping girls understand more about themselves. It is based on Proverbs 31:25, “Strength and dignity are her clothing.” It has been going strong and Phase 2 will expand the number of girls we reach.
We’ve partnered with a local church (Igombe Christian Centre) to educate and empower girls to take care of their changing bodies.
Phase 1 started in November 2019 with 65 girls. This phase was all about learning. Who are these girls? What are their stories? Which lessons worked and which ones didn’t? Where were the knowledge gaps? How can we improve our pad design?
COVID-19 affected our project last year, but we used that time to re-evaluate, re-invent, and re-energize.
Phase 1 finished with a big celebration in July 2020. In total, girls received over 20 hours of biblical teaching and menstrual health education. Watching them grow in knowledge, confidence, and faith was the biggest blessing of Phase 1!
For Phase 2 to be successful, we need to have strong communication with Kisundi Primary School, Bugogwa Primary School, Igombe Primary School, and Bugogwa Secondary School. Our ability to be flexible and to compromise is also very important, as we’re at the mercy of the school leadership. It was important to meet with the Education Officer in Igombe to get his endorsement. Needless to say, we were thrilled when he wrote a letter to each headmaster on our behalf.
In November 2020, we officially launched Phase 2! We’re currently working at Kisundi Primary with the first 140 girls. In early March 2021, we’ll move onto Bugogwa Primary with the next 300 girls. While Phase 2 has a lot of moving pieces, we’re encouraged by the response so far. We’re learning new things each session, but the key is to acknowledge our weaknesses and re-evaluate when necessary.
“I love these sessions because I’m learning things I didn’t know. It’s the first time I can ask questions like this.”
Stella - 13 years old
The Team
Laura Kelly
Laura has been living in Mwanza, Tanzania since November 2018 as a Community Development Facilitator. Her role is to help Igombe Christian Center (a local church) to launch a girls’ menstrual health project, and to see that through to completion.
She has a love for children and is thriving in the role!
Theopister Shoo
She has a real gift of teaching. Theopister lives in Igombe with her husband, Bishop Rodrick Shoo, and their 5 children. On any given day, you can find her preaching, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, leading seminars, visiting the community, or teaching the girls in our project.
Theopister’s humble nature and love for people is what makes her so effective in this role. She’s a wonderful addition to the team and we couldn’t be more thankful!
Esther
She was hired in July 2020, to make all 6,500 reusable pads for Phase 2. She’s humble and soft-spoken, but extremely committed to her work.
Esther lives in Igombe with her husband, Joseph, and their 3 children. On any given day, you can find her running after her 2.5 year old, sewing, singing in the choir, attending mid-week worship services, or working away in our office. Did I mention she’s already made 3,000 pads since July?!
Esther’s heart to use her tailoring gifts is what makes her so effective in this role. She completes our little team and we excited she joined the team!