Team Obaasima, “an eight-member group of students from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) that provides hands-on training on the making of reusable pads, detergents and education on good menstrual hygiene”, has presented 300 packs of sanitary pads to 157 students and women at Poasi, New Takoradi, Effiakuma No.9 in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, as well as Abekoase/Tebe M/A Basic School at Prestea Huni Valley Municipality in the Western Region.
The presentation, was part of activities to commemorate the 2023 Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Also, the team engaged 100 students (87 percent female) at Emmanuel Methodist Basic School and Nana Baidoo Bonsoe JHS – both at New Takoradi community – to educate them on menstrual hygiene, how to use sanitary pads and method of disposing it as well as how to track their menstruation. Again 200 packs of sanitary pads, 150 textbooks as well as other educational materials were presented to the school. The books were sponsored by Olinga Foundation for Human Development, a non-profit making organisation.
The team then joined officials of Marie Stopes and Brite Life Clinic to undertake a community sensitisation visit to some trade apprentices at Effiakuma No.9 to educate them on menstrual hygiene and the need to seek early care when any health abnormality is experienced.
In addition, the team assisted the West-Ridge Assemblies of God Church Youth with 30 packs of sanitary pads to be donated to 15 young ladies. They were also educated on how to track their periods and menstrual hygiene.
On the celebration, the team visited Abekoase/Tebe M/A Basic School to donate 75 packs of sanitary pads to 30 ladies in the school. The donation was in response to an appeal made by the teachers, who complained about absenteeism by the girls during their period.
The team continued their presentation at the Abstinence Club of Wassa Mampong D/A Basic School and presented sanitary pads to 49 girls. This, was in honour of a request by Gifty Kuepuo, a mentee from Holy Child College of Education, who is currently doing her teaching practice at the school.
Team Obaasima is committed to ending the stigma associated with menstruation and to reduce menstrual poverty.
