Anike Foundation Assists Partner Organization Secure 200 Girls’ Hygiene Kits In Western Uganda

ABOUT RWETCODE

Rwenzori Trust for Community Development (RWETCODE) is a nonprofit organization that serves the Bundibugyo, Kabarole, Kasese and Bunyangabo districts in western Uganda. Established in 2013, RWETCODE seeks to create an enabling environment for poor and marginalized women, youth and their families through social and economic empowerment, rights and advocacy, education, orphan care, reproductive health, HIV & AIDS and environmental conservation.

THE PROJECT

As in many countries around the world, Ugandan schools went into lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Upon resumption, after the lockdown ended, schools in Western Uganda experienced low attendance of adolescent girls. Through community conversations, RWETCODE learned that COVID-19 had adversely affected the livelihood of the most vulnerable households within the region they served. Many parents and guardians could not provide school fees, scholastic materials and even mandatory hygiene supplies to their girls. As a result, many adolescent girls stopped attending school.

With help from Anike Foundation, RWETCODE applied for and secured 200 reusable hygiene kits from AFRIpads. They distributed the kits to 200 girls in six (6) schools in Kasese district. RWETCODE staff also provided the girls with sanitation and hygiene education.

CONCLUSIONS

This project highlights how COVID-19 has disproportionately affected African youths, especially girls. Parents and guardians who were straining to meet their girls’ needs before the pandemic face even greater challenges now in meeting their basic necessities, including hygiene supplies. While this project has benefitted 200 girls, many more are in need.

If you would like to contribute to our effort to provide basic necessities to the most vulnerable youths, please click our “Donate” button at the bottom of this page.