Focus Groups and the Future ~ Uganda Day 3

Our work today was all about focus groups.

The weather was African steamy hot, and we found ourselves moving slowly through the day.

We met with three different schools and had intimate conversations with small groups of 6-15 students ranging from Primary 7 to Senior 4.

Ellie teaching about the Mooncatcher under a shaded tree

We asked these beautiful girls to tell us why they feel it’s so important to stay in school and get an education. We were blown away when girls said things like;

“We can foster international understanding between the rich and poor”

“We will gain respect in our villages”.

One girl simply said

“I can help take care of my mother.”

Happy students with their new mooncatcher kits

We talked about how well the pads we had given them last year were working and what they wanted changed.

We got wonderful feed back but were saddened to hear how hard it is to find privacy to change a pad or to wash oneself. We investigated latrines and asked questions about what the needs are. Simple things like doors, water and wash cloths don’t exist. We were told that to fetch water would be more than a two hour walk.

We vowed to work on this.

At the end of each session we gave pads to the girls who are new this year and hadn’t yet gotten a MoonCatcher kit. We demonstrated how to wear the pad and how to take care of it.

Ellie hands out pads to the new members of the focus group

Phoebe demonstrates the Mooncatcher Pad while spreading her “Comfortable, Confident, Control” message

We explained how to plot one’s menstrual cycle by using a simple calendar.  This convenient tool empowers the girls to take control of their health and most importantly, their future.

One of the students intensely studying the calendar to find out the date of her next menstrual cycle.