Helping Your Community Forum has donated reusable sanitary pads and soap to 60 learners at Nthola Primary School in Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga District.

Speaking on Friday after the donation, the organisation’s ambassador Christine Bodine said they wanted to help girls who cannot afford to buy sanitary pads and opt to abscond classes during their menses.

“We carried a snap survey that revealed that most girls miss classes during their menses due to lack of sanitary pads. So, we donated reusable pads to bridge that gap,” she said.

Fostina Mwalilino (L) receives her set of pads from the organisation’s Asimenye Mwalilino

Bodine said so far, they have donated pads to 263 girls in five other schools.

Standard Seven learner Fostina Mwalilino thanked the organisation for the donation.

“The pads will motivate me to work hard in class,” she said.

Nthola Primary School head teacher Tikome Mhango said the remaining challenge now is a change room for the girls.

“We are grateful for the donation, but I appeal to well-wishers to construct a change room at the school,” she said.

According to a 2019 Ministry of Education report, lack of sanitary facilities in schools was one of the factors leading to dropout among girls.

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