Members of the Bridge of Smiles Youth Group in Kamuli District have donated sanitary pads to Primary Seven girls at Edirumamwino Primary School in Balawoli Town Council, as they prepare for their final UNEB examinations next week.
Led by Babisi Godfrey, the group handed over four boxes of sanitary pads to the students, aiming to support girls who lack access to safe menstrual products in rural communities. Babisi explained that many girls often rely on rags and sponges, which pose health risks and disrupt their schooling.
“We had to intervene after realizing that these girls can’t afford to buy safe sanitary pads. As youth, we collected funds and bought these sanitary towels to help our young sisters stay in school during the examination period,” Babisi said.
He emphasized that providing sanitary pads helps girls remain comfortable and confident during exams, preventing menstruation-related challenges from affecting their performance. “It is good for our girls to be comfortable, because when it happens in the middle of exams and they have nothing to use, it makes them lose confidence,” he added.
Another member of the group, Tiwakwira Oliva, said the Bridge of Smiles also trains girls in schools on making reusable sanitary pads as a sustainable solution. “Most of our girls come from humble families and find it hard to buy sanitary pads, so we’re equipping them with skills to make reusable ones to keep them in school,” she explained.
Tiwakwira further encouraged parents, especially fathers, to actively support their daughters’ menstrual health needs and to treat menstruation as a normal and healthy process, free from stigma.
The headteacher of Edirumamwino Primary School, Mrs. Ndibogeza Betty, praised the youth group for their thoughtful gesture. “This is a sign of love and care. I want to thank you for thinking about these girls. We shall ensure they use these pads during and after their examinations,” she said.
Access to sanitary pads continues to be a major challenge in the Busoga sub-region, contributing to school dropout and early pregnancy among girls.
The donation by the Bridge of Smiles Youth Group highlights the importance of community involvement in supporting girls’ education and wellbeing, particularly in rural areas.
Such initiatives not only address immediate needs but also promote long-term empowerment by providing skills and resources to help girls remain in school and succeed academically.
