Relief For Mt.Elgon Girl Child as Volunteer Youths Distribute Free Sanitary Pads

By Isabella Maua

With the plummeting period poverty rate in Mt. Elgon, a group of 4 youths have found pride in forming an organisation to counter this issue by giving out free sanitary pads to schools.

The program whose debut has been at AIC Bugaa Secondary School has seen over 50 girls and boys carry home a packet of pads.

Speaking during the event, Rachel Chelang’at one of the brains behind the activity, encouraged boys to be part of ending period shame and be supportive of their female counterparts within and without school environment.

“Menstruation should not be a cause for alarm and stigmatisation but it should be appreciated and dignified regardless of our sexual orientation,” Chelang’at advised.

Abel Kibet also a team member applauded Bungoma Deputy Governor Janepher Mbatiany for heeding to their call and aiding the success of their debut plan.

Echoing his to sentiments was Derrick Kipkorir who emphasized on women empowerment stating that women in power have diversified leadership positively locally and internationally.

“ Our Deputy Governor has led by example by offering a helping hand when we approached her with this idea, we need more women in power so as to reap more benefits in future especially in sensitive matters regarding our sisters,” stated Kipkorir.

During an interactive session with the students, Caren King’wa (a team member) encouraged the students to share their first time menstruation experiences and challenged them to use that as their strength while offering moral support to their younger ones besides warning them against engaging in premarital sexual behaviour.

Early teenage pregnancies especially among poverty stricken families continue sky rocketing in Mt.Elgon but with such organisations in place, the girl child still lives with high hope of a brighter future.