Breaking Barriers in Kakira: A Day That Touched 600 Lives

When community meets purpose, magic happens

At Period Talk Uganda, we believe that a period should only end a sentence - having your period should never hold you back from achieving your dreams. Last month, this belief came to life in the most beautiful way during our transformative outreach to Kakira community.

The morning of March 29th dawned with promise as our Period Talk UG team joined forces with 32 dedicated Para-Counselors from Uganda Christian University for what would become one of our most impactful community outreaches. At St. Stephen's Church in Kakira, something extraordinary unfolded - 600 community members came together, ready to break the silence around menstrual health.

Clad in our signature Pad A Girl Campaign t-shirts, we arrived at 10:00 AM with hearts full of purpose and bags full of hope. The energy was palpable as students from St. Stephen's Primary School, caregivers, and community members gathered for a day that would challenge stigma and celebrate the natural process of menstruation.

Creating Safe Spaces, Sparking Conversations

The day began with a devotion session that set a tone of unity and reflection - creating the perfect atmosphere for the meaningful conversations that lay ahead. In true Period Talk UG fashion, we understand that transforming lives requires more than just products; it requires changing mindsets.

Our team facilitated an in-depth menstrual health training session that reached 320 students and caregivers. This wasn't just about the biology of periods - it was about dismantling the harmful myths and stigma that have held back generations of girls.

We covered:

• Menstrual hygiene management basics

• Breaking down cultural taboos and misconceptions

• Building confidence and self-esteem during menstruation

• Equipping caregivers with knowledge to support open conversations

The most rewarding part? Watching young girls lift their heads higher as they realized that menstruation is not something to be ashamed of, but a natural part of growing up.

Practical Support That Makes a Difference

True to our commitment to providing sustainable solutions, we distributed 640 sanitary pads - ensuring each participant received a pack of two. Because we know that education without access is incomplete, and access without education is insufficient.

The Para-Counselors led an inspiring career guidance session that reminded every student present that their future is limitless. We talked about academic paths, career opportunities, and most importantly, how proper menstrual health management ensures that periods never become barriers to achieving their dreams.

One-on-One Support

The day culminated with personalized counseling sessions - creating those judgment-free zones where both students and caregivers could share their challenges and receive tailored guidance. These intimate conversations often reveal the real struggles behind the statistics, and they fuel our passion for this work.

The Ripple Effect: Our Impact in Numbers

320

Individuals reached

Total attendees engaged in our advocacy efforts

And countless conversations about menstrual health started

215

600

Students reached. Some of them left us some whispers. Visit the wall to see them

Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture

In Uganda, 1 in 10 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa misses school while on her period due to lack of access to menstrual products or adequate sanitation. On average, a girl loses 13 learning days of school every school term during her period. Even more concerning, 23% of adolescent girls aged 12 to 18 drop out of school following the onset of menstruation.

Every outreach like Kakira is a step toward changing these statistics. Every conversation we facilitate is a brick removed from the wall of stigma. Every pad we distribute is a day saved in a girl's education.

Our Commitment Continues

The success of our Kakira outreach reinforces why we do what we do at Period Talk UG. We're not just fighting period poverty - we're dismantling stigma, creating safe spaces, and building a period-friendly world where every girl can thrive.

As we recommended in our report, this is just the beginning. We're committed to continuous follow-up initiatives to reinforce the knowledge shared and extend further support to our Kakira beneficiaries.

We would love to extend our gratitude and appreciation to Uganda Christian University for their partnership with us on this endeavor. May the lord bless you all abundantly.

Join Our Mission

Stories like Kakira remind us that every donation counts, and together, we can heal the world. Whether it's through our #SpeakUpStopPeriodStigma campaign, our Slum Period Project, or community outreaches like this one, we're creating lasting change across Uganda.

Because remember: A period should only end a sentence. Having your period should never hold you back.

Want to support more outreaches like Kakira? Donate now or connect with us at info@periodtalkug.org | +256 762 900 000

Follow our journey and join our community of advocates fighting for menstrual equity across Uganda.

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