In the rural district of Zombo, North West Uganda, a significant challenge faced by young girls and women is the lack of access to affordable hygiene products during their menstrual periods. This unfortunate situation leads to these girls skipping school, hindering their education and overall development. Period poverty is a direct consequence from gender inequality, cultural taboos and financial poverty and leads to a school aged-girl missing three days of school a month due to their periods, equalling 18% of the academic year. Additionally, the disposable of non-reusable sanitary pads in pit latrines contributes to ecological damage, polluting the water table with toxic substances.

To help addressing these pressing issues, I am taking part in the Big Welsh Swim on Saturday 8th July 2023, where I will be swimming 3 km in Llanberis lake as a mean to raise funds for a sewing project organised by a UK-based charity called TOUCEO, ("Trust Offering Under-privileged Children an Educational Opportunity"). TOUCEO's sewing project will work with local partners to provide training for the girls and women of Zombo, equipping them with valuable sewing skills, and enable them to produce sanitary pads, but will also open doors to future employment opportunities as seamstresses.

Many of us take access to sanitary products for granted! I have taken part in a similar project in rural Kenya and I was thrilled to see how reusable sanitary pads can empower young girls and allow them to thrive in their learning and development. That is the reason why I am passionate about this project and I'd love your support! Any donation, big or small, will make a difference to the women and young girls of Zombo.

For more information please visit TOUCEO's website or contact me directly.

https://touceo.org/pads/



~ Version française ~

Dans la région de Zombo, au Nord-Ouest de l’Ouganda, les petites filles et les jeunes femmes font face à une difficulté récurrente qui affect