IRFF UK July 2024 - Girls Go Back to School in Uganda

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Girls Go Back to School in Uganda

Schoolgirls are returning to classes happier and are getting better grades, according to a senior teacher at Busambala School.

This is thanks to IRFF-UK’s ongoing period poverty support efforts in the Kampala district near Lake Victoria’s shoreline in

Many girls experience period poverty as they lack access to menstrual hygiene products due to their cost.

‘In Uganda… period poverty, or the inability to afford menstrual hygiene products, causes nearly a quarter of girls between the ages of 12 – 18 to drop out of school once they begin menstruating. School absence rates for girls triple when they are on their periods.’

Global G.L.O.W., 2024

Senior Teacher at Busambala Primary and Secondary School

“Before you came to our school, girls were using rags, paper, and even leaves. Many girls could not even attend school during their periods.”

Senior Primary School Teacher, Busambala

Menstruation is sometimes misunderstood and considered taboo, not only in Uganda but in many countries. The stigma impacts their physical, mental, and emotional health.

The senior teacher explained in an interview with Sylvia (Senior teacher at Destiny Junior School) that girls who did turn up for classes often cried from pain or shame.

Destiny Junior School is a flagship project of IRFF-UK in the town of

Kibiri, just south of the capital city of Kampala.

Jesca Kyaligamba carefully checking the hygiene pads

Jesca is IRFF-UK’s representative in Uganda (Headteacher at

Destiny School). She understands the girls’ needs and is highly motivated to “spread the love” for students and pupils in Busabala and others beyond her own.

“Now the girls are clean, the girls are smart, and the girls are performing better in class than before we started working with

Basabala Primary School.”

Senior Primary School Teacher, Busambala

IRFF-UK has been instrumental in bringing awareness of this and other challenges girls face through the ongoing Girls Health &

Support Project, or ‘Girl-Child’, as the locals call it.

“Sincere and deepest thanks to you all as your help has lifted a heavy weight from us teachers… Now they can attend classes, even during their periods, because they feel safe with the sanitary pads and panty liners and other products that you are providing.”

Senior Primary School Teacher, Sylvia

Checking menstrual products with senior teacher Silvia (right)

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Can We Do More?

IRFF-UK is currently supporting some 400 girls in three schools in

Uganda. But we would love to help many more. With your help, we know we can.

It only costs £1 on average to supply one girl with disposable sanitary pads for one month.

So, a one-off donation of just £5 will help keep five girls in school for a full month.

A recurring monthly donation of £5 would keep those five girls in school for as long as you would like to support their education.

You could even set your own target for how many girls you would like to help out.

If you can, please act now by clicking on the ‘Donate Today’

button. Your act of kindness could change their lives. Please know that every pound of your gift will be used for the girls.

(The IRFF-UK team)

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Click here to visit our website to see our other projects.

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~iPPPuK ~- Period Poverty v Education v About Us Blog Contact Us Ill ., Donating keeps gi rl s in school and helps end t heir cycle of poverty

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Menstruation should not be a reason to hold anyone back in life. Donating a small amount today helps all girls and women fulfil their potential!

Supply sanitary pads for Equip an entire class of girls Support IRFF UK in sending girls, ensuring they avoid with enough sanitary pads, our team to schools and shame and never miss enabling every student to projects for comprehensive school. attend school without menstruation education interruption. sessions.

Vivian IRFF UK Period Poverty Director in Ghana

“Thanks to IRFF UK, I never miss school. My family and I are hopeful for the future ahead.” Destiny Junior School Student

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■ Enter email Help end period poverty. Donate You r donati on helps children access now for girls’ educati on and quality education and build brighter empowerment. futures. Submit

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Supporting African Communities from the UK UK Based Charity for Africa

Our Charity Is Focused on Period Poverty & Education Support In Africa IRFF UK is a UK-based charity for Africa operating projects across Africa with a dual focus on education and addressing period poverty. We are breaking the cycle of poverty by ensuring access to education for all and preventing female dropouts through the provision of menstruation products and education. Through this communities and youth are empowered and Africans are given

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What Areas Does Our Charity Support In Africa?

Education Emergency Relief

Menstruation Should Not Be An Obstacle In Life As a charity for Africa, IRFF UK holds a strong promise to help underprivileged African girls facing cha llenges, especial ly period poverty, which makes it hard for them to go t o school . We are ded icated to breaking down t hese barriers by making sure these girls have what t hey need for their periods. By doing this, we empower t hese young minds, giving t hem the chance to stay in school, learn, and break free from the cycle of poverty.

What is Period Poverty? I Ending Period Poverty

A Small Glimpse At The Difference IRFF UK Has Made How IRFF UK has helped in Africa so far?

Jigger Removal

Kampala, Uganda

Destiny Junior School - ~

IRFF UK built Destiny Junior School in 2009. The children in the local area have thrived ever since!

IRFF UK bui lt Destiny Junior School in Ka mpa la, Uganda in 2009, and has gone on to see more t han 500 students graduates go into further education which otherwise wouldn’t have happe ned. £11 5,000 has been invested in tota l, starting from £330 a month and now at £1,150 wit h 206 stu dents in total

Why Choose IRFF UK?

What makes our charity for Africa unique?

We prioritise a comprehensive What sets IRFF UK apart is our approach centred on education and commitment to more than just being empowerment to uplift individuals intermediaries in fund transfers. from poverty.

Our unique focus is on equipping We believe in creating lasting change people with the skills necessary for by empowering individuals to build a self-sustainability, fostering better future for themselves and their independence rather than dependence communities. on Western donations.

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What Our Donors Are Saying

Your efforts in the areas of The Women’s Federation for World I have been happy to supp, education, health and sustainability Peace, South London, has been projects that IRFF is runnin are vital in certain countries and supporting DestinyJunior School Uganda. In particular, I ha• truly appreciated.My family will through IRFF-UK for more than 12 donated funds towards thE continue to sponsor a child at years.

Our ladies sincerely had been of a perimeter wall and at DestinyJunior School in Uganda, helping to provide a better place for at Destiny School. I really a and will endeavour to support other the children of Destiny Junior School the good work IRFF has bet causes that IRFF UK informs us in Uganda. We believe Education over the years to help about. and health are the most important people/children in Africa. things for the life of the child.

Marshall de Souza Joyce Suda Destiny School Sponsor Dolores Read Destiny School Donor Destiny School Sponsor

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