Every girl matters and every girl has the right to stay in school.
For many girls in Africa, education isn’t just important for a brighter future, it’s critical to their survival. Yet, girls often drop out of school simply because they can’t afford feminine hygiene products.
A lack of education leads to vulnerability. Vulnerability leads to unwanted pregnancy, human trafficking, sexual abuse, domestic violence, HIV, early marriage and a life of no choices.
Together, we can change this. Currently, we are working alongside local schools in northern Uganda and South Sudan to reduce the dropout rate by providing sanitary products, teaching girls their value in Christ and igniting their passion for education.
When a girl stays in school, everybody wins.
Education plays a critical role in breaking the cycle of poverty and violence. When girls are kept in school, they stand a better chance of growing into empowered women who transform their neighbourhoods and nations.
To support these efforts, we work with the schools to teach good health practices, along with Godly sexual education to girls and boys—teaching young boys to respect and protect their female classmates, and reminding girls that they matter and their bodies are their own.
With the help of partners across the globe, we are keeping girls in school, educated and empowered.
Meet Joyce
Joyce is a first-generation daughter of the young republic of South Sudan. Intelligent and determined, in many ways she mirrors her country—both brimming with unlimited potential, but facing significant challenges.
In December 2013, a bloody conflict broke out, killing over 300,000 people, and displacing millions. It’s possible that Joyce’s father may be one of those who was lost in the fighting. Today, as a fragile peace takes hold, there are serious difficulties for South Sudan’s people.
IN SOUTH SUDAN OVER TWO MILLION CHILDREN DO NOT ATTEND SCHOOL
Yet, as we know, education plays a critical role in breaking the cycle of poverty and violence. This is why we launched Keep a Girl in School in South Sudan.
AS THE OLDEST OF SIX, SCHOOL HAS NEVER BEEN A GUARANTEE FOR JOYCE
Like many girls, there were times Joyce had to miss school because her family couldn’t afford basic necessities like sanitary pads, or the money to send her to school.
“Periods were a major reason I would miss school,” says Joyce. “I would use cloths to clean myself when my periods would appear. I felt so uncomfortable and out of place, but what I feared most was the boys noticing. Thank you, because you came to our school and taught us about self-esteem. Now, we are not ashamed of our periods and we thank God for creating us as girls.”
No girl should have her future decided simply because she can’t afford feminine hygiene products. By providing sanitary products and teaching girls their worth, we’re giving hope and a bright future to girls like Joyce.
Meet Esther
In Gulu, northern Uganda, many girls drop out of school simply because their families cannot afford feminine hygiene products. But, we can change this.
Together, with our partners and friends from around the world, we’re making sure girls like Esther have the opportunity to pursue an education, so they can achieve their dreams.
Now, through Keep a Girl in School, Esther is able to stay in school and is working towards her dream of one day becoming a nurse.
COMING ALONGSIDE GIRLS AND THEIR FAMILIES
We help ease the financial burden as we meet some of their basic needs, providing girls with sanitary pads, bars of soap and new panties. We also teach good health practices, along with Godly sexual education to girls and boys—teaching young boys to respect and protect their female classmates, and reminding girls that they matter and their bodies are their own.
Since we began partnering with local schools in Gulu in 2012, thousands of girls are now in school—and staying in school.
