Category: Field Reports

Wandui Primary School Mentorship Report

Post author By Scandicare WPadmin
Post date 2022-09-02
No Comments on Wandui Primary School Mentorship Report

26th of July, 2022

INTRODUCTION

The student’s mentorship program was conducted on 26th July 2022 at Wandui Primary School. The overall objective of the program was to present to the boys and girls positive instructions and support during the adolescence transition years. In the life of each person there are common stages of physical, psychological, social and spiritual developments that one must go through. Many of these stages are difficult for an adolescent, as they require the person to change behaviors, attitudes, and ways of thinking, feeling and knowing to a more of developed stance.

OBJECTIVES

• The sessions main aim was to demonstrate an understanding of oneself in the context of the five dimensions of a human being;
• Socially
• Emotionally
• Physically
• Mentally
• Spiritually
• To understand and appreciate their physical bodies plus their male and female sexual anatomy
• To affirm the students that God made each part of the human body for a purpose therefore the whole body is well coordinated and it should be respected.
• To create awareness on drugs and alcohol abuse and their effect on human health, social life and the academic life of students

TRAINERS

1. Claire Huro – Facilitated Class 7 – 8 Girls
2. Monica Kithii – Facilitated Class 5 – 6 Girls
3. Raphael Wainaina – Facilitated Class 5 – 8 Boys

TIMETABLE

CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED

• Lack of accurate information concerning human sexuality and reproductive health issues (a lot of myths)
• Demonstration needed more time ,discussion and one on one personal contact wasn’t possible due to time
• Over excitement of students in some topics thus lack of proper listening skills
• Students were embarrassed and failed to respond when their teachers were in class

SUMMARY OF EACH FACILITOR’S CLASS1.

CLASS 5 – 6 GIRLS

Social Media has a real impact on the girls
There is a lot of influence from there elder siblings and friends
They are highly affected by myths in sexuality topics2.

CLASS 7 – 8 GIRLS

• Sexual abuse questions were raised and how to cope with the violations
• Intimate relationship with the boys were part of the main queries and how to manage their emotions/feelings
• Menstruation and teenage pregnancy awareness topics need to be taught to encourage more informed sessions
• Menstrual sanitary products should be offered in school to those who cannot afford

3. CLASS 5 – 8 BOYS

• Boys felt neglected as girls are treated better and their needs prioritized more by the community
• Domestic violence especially from drunkard fathers is affecting the boys negatively and they have nowhere to report such cases
• Boys are being forced by older youths to engage in sex after circumcision as a “rite of passage” to adulthood. Others are often forced to start abusing drugs which they receive as gifts after undergoing circumcision
• The boys also noted they lack mentors or teachers who they can approach without being judged or their issues being used against them in future
• Excess home chores makes the boys fail to do their school work most times

RECOMMENDATION(S) FOR WAY FORWARD

• Teachers should be warm and more friendly to encourage students to approach them for personal issues
• Topic on Family conflicts and Inner healing should be conducted in future sessions
• During the sessions, the boy child felt listened to hence future programs should continue to involve them
• Drug awareness campaign should continue to be conducted to address effects on families and education
• The school can identify two or three teachers who will be in charge of girl/boys issues and counselling
• Creation of a safe space for further consultation on the personal issues.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion the training was successful and impactful to the students. We believe by the end of the training all objectives and expectations were achieved plus all goals realized. The team Looks forward to the next mentorship program.

Onyango Makogango

Field Reports

Menstrual hygiene training at Arap Moi Primary School

Post author By Scandicare WPadmin
Post date 2022-03-28
No Comments on Menstrual hygiene training at Arap Moi Primary School

10th and 12th of February, 2022

Project Title: Responding to the Menstrual Hygiene and Physiotherapy Needs of Girls, especially those with Special Needs in Kajiado North

Field Report: Arap Moi Primary School
Field Activity Date: 10 February 2022 and 12 February 2022

Arap Moi primary school is located along the Ngong/Kiserian road and is one of the 9 schools covered by the project ScandiCare is implementing to meet the menstrual hygiene needs of girls needs in Kajiado North.

Kajiado North is one of the districts in the larger Rift Valley province with the largest number of special needs education units and a high number of children with disabilities (approximately 70%) have multiple disabilities, cerebral palsy and other conditions that impair mobility and optimal functioning of limbs, a fact that negatively impacts on their education. Other categories of learners with disabilities include those with Mental Handicap/Intellectual Disability (MH/ID), Physical Handicap (PH), and Autism. Many girls miss or drop out of school due to the stigma associated with menstruation and the prohibitive costs of sanitary products

ScandiCare conducted the menstrual hygiene training and distribution of the Mina cup on for the school on 10 February 2022 and 12 February 2022 respectively. The first training and advocacy campaign conducted on 10 February involved parents and caregivers to girls with special needs at the school. The two menstrual hygiene trainings attracted a total of 91 participants (parents, caregivers, and girls from the school and menstruating members of their households). Below is an overview of Arap Moi special unit class based on the various types of disabilities

The training was organised for the following target groups as explained in this report.

1. Girls with special needs of various types attending Arap Moi primary school in Kajiado North

2. Home based girls with special needs in the region of Arap Moi primary school

3. Parents of the two target groups named above

4. Menstruating Girls from the households of the girls with special needs

Conducting the menstrual hygiene training for parents and caregivers to girls with special needs and targeting the same with the advocacy campaign is an important pillar in the training conducted by ScandiCare. This is because some of the beneficiaries with cognitive challenges rely on their parents and caregivers in managing their menstrual hygiene.

As in other similar menstrual hygiene trainings previously conducted by ScandiCare, the training for Arap Moi included a presentation of the challenges of puberty, the stigma associated with menstruation, the menstrual cycle, sanitary products commonly used by girls in and out of schools, and their disadvantages, and an introduction to the Mina menstrual cup.

The following remain the most frequently asked questions from the girls, parents, and caregivers.

1. Can the Mina cup be shared where household members menstruate on different days?

2. Can the cup leak during swimming or physical education exercises at school?

3. Can the use of the Mina cup interfere with virginity in the case of girls who have not had sexual intercourse?

4. Are there Known disadvantages of using the cup such as infections, discomfort?

5. Does one need to remove the cup when visiting the toilet for short or long calls?

The question on virginity continues to generate interest given that virginity is still regarded as an important cultural attribute among certain communities in Kajado North. ScandiCare. In addressing the issue, ScandiCare puts emphases on the following,

• That virginity revolves around breaking the membrane in the female reproductive organ known as the hymen, and not all females have the membrane

• That unlike in the olden days when girls did not engage in sports and other physical activities outside the home, the hymen can these days be broken during sports activities, bicycle riding, etc. It is therefore unrealistic to exclusively attach virginity to sexual activity.

This is an area where ScandCare will need more advocacy as the project continues. Even though the importance of virginity among girls is slowly disappearing as a cultural practice among many communities residing in the region, it remains a cultural and a religious concern leading to the concern expressed by parents regarding the use of the Mina menstrual cup

Besides the provision of the menstrual hygiene training, Scandicare distributed the Mina menstrual cup to a total of 93 beneficiaries. ScandiCare distributes the Mina cup to girls and their households to prevent possible cases of infections resulting from the sharing of the cup within households. As highlighted in other reports, the beneficiaries of the project come majorly from poor households and in line with the “do no harm principle” (the principle of avoiding exposing people to additional risks through actions undertaken within the context of a project intervention), ScandCare distribute the cup not only to the girls with special needs, but also to other menstruating members of their households.

Onyango Makogango

Field Reports

Menstrual hygiene training at Embulbul Primary School

Post author By Scandicare WPadmin
Post date 2022-03-28
No Comments on Menstrual hygiene training at Embulbul Primary School

11th Nov 2021, 5th Feb 2022

Project Title: Responding to the Menstrual Hygiene and Physiotherapy Needs of Girls, especially those with Special Needs in Kajiado North

Field Report: Embulbul Primary school
Field Activity Date: 11 November 2021 and 5 February 2022

Embulbul primary school is one of the 9 schools covered by the project ScandiCare is implementing to meet the menstrual hygiene needs of girls needs in Kajiado North.

ScandiCare conducted the menstrual hygiene training and distribution of the Mina cup on for the school on 11 November 2021 and 5 February 2022 respectively. The first training and advocacy campaign conducted on 11 November 2021 involved parents and caregivers to girls with special needs at the school. The two menstrual hygiene trainings attracted a total of 76 participants (parents, caregivers, and girls from the school and menstruating members of their households). Below is an overview of Embulbul special unit class based on the various types of disabilities

The training was organised for the following target groups as explained in this report.

1. Girls with special needs of various types attending Embulbul primary school in Kajiado North

2. Home based girls with special needs in the region of Embulbul primary school

3. Parents of the two target groups named above

4. Menstruating Girls from the households of the girls with special needs

Just like in other menstrual hygiene trainings previously conducted by ScandiCare, this training included a presentation of the challenges of puberty, the stigma associated with menstruation, the menstrual cycle, sanitary products commonly used by girls in and out of schools, and their disadvantages, and an introduction to the Mina menstrual cup.

Among the frequently asked questions from the girls, parents and caregivers included the following.

1. Can the Mina cup be shared where household members menstruate on different days?

2. Can the cup leak during swimming or physical education exercises at school?

3. Can the use of the Mina cup interfere with virginity in the case of girls who have not had sexual intercourse?

4. Are there Known disadvantages of using the cup such as infections, discomfort?

5. Does one need to remove the cup when visiting the toilet for short or long calls?

The question on virginity continues to generate interest given that virginity is still regarded as an important cultural attribute among certain communities in Kajado North. In addressing the issue, ScandiCare puts emphases on the following,

• That virginity revolves around breaking the membrane in the female reproductive organ known as the hymen, and not all females have the membrane

Besides the provision of the menstrual hygiene training, Scandicare distributed the Mina menstrual cup to a total of 105 beneficiaries. ScandiCare distributes the Mina cup to girls and their households to prevent possible cases of infections resulting from the sharing of the cup within households. As highlighted in other reports, the beneficiaries of the project come majorly from poor households and in line with the “do no harm principle” (the principle of avoiding exposing people to additional risks through actions undertaken within the context of a project intervention), ScandCare distribute the cup not only to the girls with special needs, but also to other menstruating members of their households.

The menstrual hygiene training and the distribution of the Mina cup to the target group continues in other schools in a coordinated efforts with the schools, the Ward representatives for persons living with disability in each ward, and the teachers from the special units from each school. Mrs Namaloyang,the ward representative for Ololua ward under which Embulbul primary school falls, and Ms Kinya from Embulbul special unit attended the menstrual hygiene trainings Scandicare conducted for the school.

Onyango Makogango

Field Reports

Menstrual hygiene training at Ngong Township Primary School

Post author By Scandicare WPadmin
Post date 2022-02-04
No Comments on Menstrual hygiene training at Ngong Township Primary School

2nd Dec 2021, 22nd Jan 2022

Project Title: Responding to the Menstrual Hygiene and Physiotherapy Needs of Girls, especially those with Special Needs in Kajiado North

Field Report: Ngong Township Primary School
Field Activity Date: 2 December 2021 and 22 January 2022

Ngong Township primary school is one of the 9 schools covered by the project ScandiCare is implementing to meet the menstrual hygiene needs of girls needs in Kajiado North. The menstrual hygiene training and distribution of the Mina cup by Scandicare took place on 02 December 2021 and 22 January 2022 respectively. The first training was as part of ScandiCare’s project activities, but was also conducted as one of the build-up activities to mark the UN International Day for Persons Living with Disability.

The trainings took place at Umoja Social Hall in Ngong town. Kajiado North is one of the districts in the larger Rift Valley province with the largest number of special needs education units and a high number of children with disabilities (approximately 70%) have multiple disabilities, cerebral palsy and other conditions that impair mobility and optimal functioning of limbs, a fact that negatively impacts on their education. Other categories of learners with disabilities include those with Mental Handicap/Intellectual Disability (MH/ID), Physical Handicap (PH), and Autism. Many girls miss or drop out of school due to the stigma associated with menstruation and the prohibitive costs of sanitary products

The training was organised for the following target groups as explained in this report.

1. Girls with special needs of various types attending Ngong primary school in Kajiado North

2. Home based girls with special needs in the region of Ngong primary school

3. Parents of the two target groups named above

4. Menstruating Girls from the households of the girls with special needs

ScandiCare provided menstrual hygiene training to a total of 80 beneficiaries including girls and members of their households. Providing the menstrual hygiene training to parents and caregivers to girls with special needs is an important pillar in the training conducted by ScandiCare. This is because some of the beneficiaries with cognitive challenges rely on their parents and caregivers in managing their menstrual hygiene.

Just like other menstrual hygiene trainings previously conducted by, the training by ScandiCare Field Officers included a presentation of the challenges of puberty, the stigma associated with menstruation, the menstrual cycle, sanitary products commonly used by girls in and out of schools and their disadvantages, and an introduction to the Mina menstrual cup.

Among the frequently asked questions from the girls, parents and caregivers included the following;

1. Can the Mina cup be shared where household members menstruate on different days?

2. Can the use of the Mina cup interfere with virginity in the case of girls who have not had sexual intercourse?

3. Are there Known disadvantages of using the cup such as infections, discomfort?

4. Does one need to remove the cup when visiting the toilet for short or long calls?

• That virginity revolves around breaking the membrane in the female reproductive organ known as the hymen, and not all females have the membrane

This is an area where ScandCare will need more advocacy as the project continues. Even theough the importance of virginity among girls is slowly disaapearing as a cultural practice among many communities residing in the region, it remains a cultural and a religious concern leading to the concern expressed by parents regarding the use of the Mina menstrual cup

Besides the provision of the menstrual hygiene training, Scandicare distributed the Mina menstrual cup to a total of 73 beneficiaries. The cup was distributed to girls and their households to prevent possible cases of infections resulting from the sharing of the cup within households. As highlighted in other reports, the beneficiaries of the project come majorly from poor households and in line with the “do no harm principle” (the principle of avoiding exposing people to additional risks through actions undertaken within the context of a project intervention), ScandCare distribute the cup not only to the girls with special needs, but also to other menstruating members of their households.

Onyango Makogango

Field Reports

Menstrual hygiene training at Kiserian Primary School

Post author By Scandicare WPadmin
Post date 2022-02-04
No Comments on Menstrual hygiene training at Kiserian Primary School

2nd Nov 2021, 29th Jan 2022

Project Title: Responding to the Menstrual Hygiene and Physiotherapy Needs of Girls, especially those with Special Needs in Kajiado North

Field Report: Kiserian Primary School
Field Activity Date: 2 November 2021 and 29 January 2022

Kiserian primary school is one of the 9 schools covered by the project ScandiCare is implementing to meet the menstrual hygiene needs of girls needs in Kajiado North. The menstrual hygiene training and distribution of the Mina cup by Scandicare took place on 02 November 2021 and 29 January 2022 respectively. The first training conducted on 2 November 2021 involved parents to girls with special needs at the school. On the same day, ScandiCare conducted menstrual hygiene training for 24 teachers from the 9 schools covered by the project. ScandiCare is pursuing a holistic approach by providing training to girls with special needs, their parents, teachers, and caregivers.

The training was organised for the following target groups as explained in this report.

1. Teachers from all the 9 schools covered by the project

2. Girls with special needs of various types attending Kiserian primary school in Kajiado North

3. Home based girls with special needs in the region of Kiserian primary school

4. Parents of the two target groups named above

5. Menstruating Girls from the households of the girls with special needs

ScandiCare provided menstrual hygiene training to a total of 93 beneficiaries including special unit teachers, parents, caregivers, girls, and members of their households.

Providing the menstrual hygiene training to parents and caregivers to girls with special needs is an important pillar in the training conducted by ScandiCare. This is because some of the beneficiaries with cognitive challenges rely on their parents and caregivers in managing their menstrual hygiene.

As in other similar menstrual hygiene trainings previously conducted by, the training by ScandiCare Field Officers included a presentation of the challenges of puberty, the stigma associated with menstruation, the menstrual cycle, sanitary products commonly used by girls in and out of schools and their disadvantages, and an introduction to the Mina menstrual cup.

Among the frequently asked questions from the girls, parents and caregivers included the following.

1. Can the Mina cup be shared where household members menstruate on different days?

2. Can the use of the Mina cup interfere with virginity in the case of girls who have not had sexual intercourse?

3. Are there Known disadvantages of using the cup such as infections, discomfort?

4. Does one need to remove the cup when visiting the toilet for short or long calls?

• That virginity revolves around breaking the membrane in the female reproductive organ known as the hymen, and not all females have the membrane

Besides the provision of the menstrual hygiene training, Scandicare distributed the Mina menstrual cup to a total of 86 beneficiaries. ScandiCare distributes the Mina cup to girls and their households to prevent possible cases of infections resulting from the sharing of the cup within households. As highlighted in other reports, the beneficiaries of the project come majorly from poor households and in line with the “do no harm principle” (the principle of avoiding exposing people to additional risks through actions undertaken within the context of a project intervention), ScandCare distribute the cup not only to the girls with special needs, but also to other menstruating members of their households.

The menstrual hygiene training and the distribution of the Mina cup to the target group continues in other schools in a coordinated efforts with the schools, the Ward representatives for persons living with disability in each ward, and the teachers from the special units from each school. Parents to the home-based girls with special needs around Kiserian mainly attended the last meeting which was held on 29 January 2022. The ward representative for persons living with disability appealed to parents to send their girls to school. Most of the home based parents cite transport as the major hinderance their efforts to register their girls in schools.

Onyango Makogango

Field Reports

Menstrual hygiene training at Upper Matasia Primary School

Post author By Scandicare WPadmin
Post date 2022-01-22
No Comments on Menstrual hygiene training at Upper Matasia Primary School

13th and 15th of January, 2022

Project Title: Responding to the Menstrual Hygiene and Physiotherapy Needs of Girls, especially those with Special Needs in Kajiado North

Field Report: Upper Matasia Primary School
Field Activity Date: From 13 to 15 January 2022

The menstrual hygiene training and distribution of the Mina cup by Scandicare took place on from 13 to 15 January 2022. Upper Matasia primary school is one of the 9 schools covered by the project ScandiCare is implementing to meet the menstrual hygiene needs of girls needs in Kajiado North. Many girls miss or drop out of school due to the stigma associated with menstruation and the prohibitive costs of sanitary products. Kajiado North is one of the districts in the larger Rift Valley province with the largest number of special needs education units and a high number of children with disabilities (approximately 70%) have multiple disabilities, cerebral palsy and other conditions that impair mobility and optimal functioning of limbs, a fact that negatively impacts on their education. Other categories of learners with disabilities include those with Mental Handicap/Intellectual Disability (MH/ID), Physical Handicap (PH), and Autism.

The menstrual hygiene training to respond to the menstrual hygiene needs of girls with special needs attending Upper Matasia primary school was conducted between 13/01/2022 and 15/01/2022. The training took place at the school where the ward representative for persons with disabilities Ms Esther Njeri, the school head teacher Mr Maingi and ScandiCare jointly planned the training. The training was organised for the following target groups as explained in this report.

Girls with special needs of various types attending Upper Matasia primary school in Kajiado North
Home based girls with special needs in the region of Upper Matasia primary school
Economically vulnerable girls from the regular streams at Upper Matasia Primary school
Parents of the two target groups named above
Menstruating Girls from the households of the girls with special needs

ScandiCare provided menstrual hygiene training to a total of 81 beneficiaries including girls and members of their households. Besides girls with special needs who are the project`s primary target group, ScandiCare provided training to economically vulnerable girls attending from the mainstream “regular units” at Upper Matasia. These included economically vulnerable girls from female headed households, single headed households (mother or father) and orphans.

The menstrual hygiene training conducted by ScandiCare Field Officers include a presentation of the challenges of puberty, the stigma associated with menstruation, the menstrual cycle, sanitary products commonly used by girls in and out of schools and their disadvantages, and an introduction to the Mina menstrual cup.

The menstrual hygiene training continues to generate excitement among the girls and their parents. Among the questions registered from the girls and their parents included the following,

Can the Mina cup be shared where household members menstruate on different days?
Can the use of the Mina cup interfere with virginity in the case of girls who have not had sexual intercourse?
Are there Known disadvantages of using the cup such as infections, discomfort?
Does one need to remove the cup when visiting the toilet for short or long calls?

Scandicare Field Officers conducting the presentation addressed these concers. Among the advantages of the Mina cup highlighted, it can last for as long as 5 years, this comes handy for girls from low-income households with very limited ability to afford sanitary products for managing menstruation.

Besides the provision of the menstrual hygiene training, Scandicare distributed the Mina menstrual cup to a total of 82 beneficiaries. The cup was distributed to girls and their households to prevent possible cases of infections resulting from the sharing of the cup within households. As highlighted in other reports, the beneficiaries of the project come majorly from poor households and in line with the “do no harm principle” (the principle of avoiding exposing people to additional risks through actions undertaken within the context of a project intervention), ScandCare distribute the cup not only to the girls with special needs, but also to other menstruating members of their households.

The menstrual hygiene training and the distribution of the Mina cup to the target group continues in other schools.

Onyango Makogango

Field Reports

Menstrual hygiene training at Nakeel Primary School

Post author By Scandicare WPadmin
Post date 2022-01-11
No Comments on Menstrual hygiene training at Nakeel Primary School

8th and 11th of December, 2021

Project Title: Responding to the Menstrual Hygiene and Physiotherapy Needs of Girls, especially those with Special Needs in Kajiado North

Field Report: Nakeel Primary School

Nakeel primary school is one of the 9 schools covered by the project ScandiCare is implementing to meet the menstrual hygiene needs of girls needs in Kajiado North. Many girls miss or drop out of school due to the stigma associated with menstruation and the prohibitive costs of sanitary products. Kajiado North is one of the districts in the larger Rift Valley province with the largest number of special needs education units and a high number of children with disabilities (approximately 70%) have multiple disabilities, cerebral palsy and other conditions that impair mobility and optimal functioning of limbs, a fact that negatively impacts on their education. Other categories of learners with disabilities include those with Mental Handicap/Intellectual Disability (MH/ID), Physical Handicap (PH), and Autism.

The menstrual hygiene training to respond to the menstrual hygiene needs of girls with special needs attending Nakeel school was conducted between 8/12/2021 and 11/12/2021. The training took place at Nazareen in Kware where the ward representative for persons with disabilities and ScandiCare organised the training. The training was organised for the following target groups as explained in this report.

Girls with special needs of various types attending Nakeel primary school in Kajiado North
Home based girls with special needs in the region of Nakeel primary school
Parents of the two target groups named above
Menstruating Girls from the households of the girls with special needs

ScandiCare provided menstrual hygiene training to a total of 67 beneficiaries including girls and members of their households. The menstrual hygiene training conducted by ScandiCare Field Officers include a presentation of the challenges of puberty, the stigma associated with menstruation, the menstrual cycle, sanitary products commonly used by girls in and out of schools and their disadvantages, and an introduction to the Mina menstrual cup.

Like in other schools where ScandiCare has conducted the training, girls from Nakeel and their parents received the menstrual hygiene training and the distribution of the Mina cup with noticeable excitement registered during the two days of training. The cup can last for as long as 5 years, this comes handy for girls from low-income households with very limited ability to afford sanitary products for managing menstruation.

In addition to provision of the menstrual hygiene training, Scandicare distributed the Mina menstrual cup to a total of 76 beneficiaries. ScandiCare distributes the Mina menstrual cup to girls and their households to prevent possible cases of infections resulting from the sharing of the cup within households. The beneficiaries of the project come majorly from poor households and in line with the “do no harm principle” (the principle of avoiding exposing people to additional risks through actions undertaken within the context of a project intervention), ScandCare distribute the cup not only to the girls with special needs, but also to other menstruating members of their households.

The menstrual hygiene training and the distribution of the Mina cup to the target group continues in other schools.

Expenses: