It surprises me how the government spends a lot of money to buy condoms to give them free to men to continue having sex, while they cannot help a girl child access free sanitary towels to allow her to stay in school during her menstruation days. My own experience with distributions with ZanaAfrica, have made me realize how important this service is to the girls in Kenya. Yesterday the team and I went to distribute Touch pads at Mukuru Kwa Njenga.
Travelling to Mukuru Kwa Njenga was the most tiresome trip. I was in the jam for an hour with three other workmates but these beautiful people kept me laughing with jokes all the way until we got to the school. The kids were so happy and their smiles would tell you how happy they were to receive visitors in their school.
I didn’t know what waited in the hall, until I saw the girls; the smiles on their faces showed how they felt, even before they received the pads from the ZanaA team. This feeling made me want to jump up and scream with joy knowing that I am part of an NGO that is making a difference in the lives of these young girls. After the introduction, the girls were very ready as they rushed to queue to receive the pads. It was fun to watch the girls trying to change the color panties they received, but it was also hectic trying to stop some of them from coming twice to get the pads before the rest get some. This scenario made me think of the fear the girls have; “how will I get more pads if the ZanaA team or someone somewhere doesn’t chip in to help, does this mean I have to miss classes the next time I have my period.”
This then brings me back to the government spending millions of shillings to provide a product to grown men yet leaving out a basic necessity like sanitary pads, which is so important to the girl child because it allows her to stay in school and not miss learning days.
What have you done to help keep a girl child in school?
