Today’s message is about keeping girls in school. The beginning of menstruation can present significant disadvantages for girls in the remote villages where I work in Cambodia. Often it means missing several days of school each month. Why? Lots of reasons. Cultural norms. Lack of knowledge. Lack of sanitary supplies. Lack of privacy.
Fortunately, there’s a better way.
We recently sponsored a workshop to address those very issues. Here’s the story of that day as told by Leng Kunghean, Managing Director of our NGO Partner Children’s Future International (CFI) in Battambang, Cambodia.
Our CFI staff was really happy to present a Days for Girls workshop recently. We were careful to provide a safe and supportive space to learn about this vital health topic, and to diminish the perceived taboo so much of society imposes around menstruation. Our students learned that menstruation is a normal part of growing up and something about which they can talk openly without feeling ashamed or embarrassed.
One of our students in this recent workshop was Lina, a 16-year-old girl living with her aunt while her parents have migrated to a neighboring country to find work. Here’s what Lina had to say after she finished the workshop.
Before, I didn’t understand about menstruation. I didn’t know why it happens and how to take care of myself during those days. And I certainly had no money to purchase the supplies I needed. In this workshop I learned what is happening with my body and what that means.
Then I learned about these washable, reusable feminine hygiene kits provided to each of us. I am so happy to know that my kit will last me for two or three years.
I am so happy I went to this workshop. Now I understand about my body and how to take care of myself with dignity and pride. Now I can talk with confidence and share this important information with all my friends.
There’s one more facet of this workshop I should mention. All the feminine hygiene kits (at the bargain price of $20 each) were provided by another of our Cambodian NGO Partners — Sustainable Cambodia. Located in the nearby city of Pursat, they employ a group of six women to carefully sew and assemble these kits the girls were given. When all is said and done, these kits greatly benefit the girls — and — they also help support both Sustainable Cambodia and the local economy. Lots of wins that way.
I sure hope you’re getting the message here.
This is a HUGE Thank You from all these grateful girls.
YOU are the ones that make all this and CFI’s work possible.
Thank You
If you’re interested knowing about the work that our other Cambodian NGO partners are doing in service to those most in need, you can click here.
Life is good — at least for some of us it is.
Others need a bit of help.
Together we can provide exactly that.
At the SE Asia Foundation we do not simply “help” people
We Help People Help Themselves
That is our focus
That is our commitment
That is where our actions show up
Please help us keep doing that with a tax-deductible
donation. Just click the button below
