Distribution Day at Mwika Secondary!

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Today was distribution day at Mwika Secondary School.

Our team has spent the last two weeks conducting workshops with nearly 200 students at this school, working with the Form 3, Form 5 and Form 6 girls.

The village of Mwika is located about an hour outside of Moshi Town, in the stunning foothills of Kilimanjaro. The rural setting means that the majority of residents are subsistence farmers, growing bananas, mangoes, maize or beans. There is a booming local economy with a huge market in town on Tuesdays and Fridays – where you can find everything from shoes to pineapples to imported fabric! The secondary school has about 1200 day and boarding students, and teaches vocational skills such as farming and agriculture alongside the traditional academic curriculum.

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Today, Femme’s team returned to the school to distribute Femme Kits to our beneficiaries. If you are a teacher, you understand the struggle of containing a roomful of excited students. If you are a development worker, than you understand the chaos of distribution with beneficiaries! And if you are a traveler, you understand the struggles of attempting to organize people that do not speak English.

Thankfully, we were able to get the girls into somewhat recognizable lines, and give them their Kits. It was an exciting day – the girls were so excited to receive their Kits, and immediately began exploring them with their friends.

Our Femme Kits are designed to contain everything a young girl will need to stay safe, healthy and confident during her period. Central to these Kits are reusable menstrual management supplies – either a menstrual cup, or reusable pads. This was the first time Femme was offering a choice of pads or a cup to our girls, providing them with the option that helps them feel the most confident and comfortable. The majority of the girls chose menstrual cups, but many of the younger girls opted for the reusable pads. Regardless of their choice, we are thrilled that these girls will be able to manage her period in a safe, healthy and sustainable way!
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If you want to help support our programs in East Africa – visit our Holiday Giving Campaign! Honour a loved one this holiday season by making a gift in their name, and we will send them an Artisan Thank-You card with photos from our work! Please consider giving them gift of confidence, and making a difference in the life of a young woman.

Sabrina Rubli

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