Rotary Club of Adjumani launches “Pad the Girl” project

Adjumani |The Rotary Club of Adjumani has launched a “Pad the Girl” project to keep at least 400 girls aged 10 to 18 in school in the Adjumani district.

During the launch over the weekend, Dolorence Inyani, the service project chair, stated that the project’s goal is to ensure that every girl in the targeted schools in Adjumani district has access to adequate and sanitary sanitary pads.

He added that menstrual hygiene issues lead to missed school days, poor academic performance, and a drop in self-esteem.

“Data for this year indicates that 29.1% of the children aged 10 -24 years who are supposed to be in school are out of school in Adjumani partly due to lack of materials to manage the menstrual period,” Inyani said.

“Our project goes beyond merely distributing pads, we also conduct educational workshops to raise awareness about menstrual health, combat stigma, and foster an environment of support and understanding.

“Through collaboration and with local schools, health care professionals, and community leaders, we aim to create a lasting impact that will resonate for generations,” Inyani added

The Rotary Club president of Adjumani, Richard Akuku AP, described the “Pad the Girl” project as a transformative initiative to ensure that no girl in the community misses out on education due to a lack of menstrual hygiene products.

He emphasised that the Rotary Club has not received any outside funding. Nonetheless, the project will be funded by contributions from members and well-wishers.

“As a Rotarian, you should be rich in heart, and it is serving humanity. In the spirit of Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, let us embrace our role as community leaders and catalysts for positive change.

“Let us strive to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate, to promote peace and understanding, and to foster goodwill and fellowship among all people,” Akuku said.

Akuku stated that primary and secondary schools in the sub-counties of Arinyapi and Adropi that do not receive humanitarian assistance will be prioritised.

Ann Nkutu, the district governor (Rotary Club Arrangement), praised the Rotary Club of Adjumani and stated that the project is critical in addressing the challenges facing the country’s girl children.

“This project will go a long way in helping many girls who are dropping out due to lack of pads and other menstrual hygiene sanitary materials,” the governor said.

The Rotary Club of Adjumani was founded on September 13, 2023, and chartered this year in May, with Richard Akuku serving as its first president and 21 members.

Last year, the club donated shs15 million to cancer patients, sponsored the top candidate for the 2023 Primary Leaving Examination, and donated drip irrigation equipment to the Pagirinya Refugee Settlement.