Background
Poor sanitation and hygiene are health concerns in rural South Sudan villages that lead to diseases responsible for 17% of all deaths of children under the age of five (World Health Organization). Lou-Ariik is a village in rural South Sudan of approximately 60,000 people, 75% of whom are below the age of 30.
The need
Teenaged girls at school lose an average of five days of education every month, simply because they lack access to basic hygiene options. Limited financial resources mean that sanitary pads are considered a luxury item that few can afford. South Sudan Health Matters(SSHM) has identified the urgent need for access to reusable sanitary pads for the village schoolgirls, helping them overcome the social stigma and loss of valuable education that results from not having access to appropriate sanitary arrangements.
Solution 1: Sanitary kits
SSHM will provide 800 schoolgirls with sustainable feminine hygiene kits that last for about three years. One kit will give back the valuable lost days of education, dignity and opportunity. Without these kits girls use leaves, mattress stuffing, newspaper, corn husks or anything they can find. Our aim is to help keep them in school and work, reduce social stigma and prevent disease.
Solution 2: Training and support
It is important that the girls learn how to manage their bodies and feelings during menstruation, so SSHM will provide education and instruction on how to use and maintain the personal hygiene kits. The training will identify girls with the potential to be developed into spokespeople who can share the educational message to more of the village schoolgirls.
Solution 3: Creating a sustainable enterprise
Women in the village will be trained and equipped to make hygiene kits as a business enterprise, thus creating employment opportunities.
Expected outcomes
Reducerate of school absenteeism and dropouts
Educated about menstrual hygiene
Train educators/influencers
Reduceinfection rate (yeast/candida, urinary tract) from poor hygiene
Train local women to make hygiene kits
Restore dignity and self-esteem.
Contact South Sudanese
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