Menstrual Health and Reusable Sanitary Pad Training | Namaste Nepal

Workshop on Menstrual Health and Resuable Sanitary Pad Training in Mandra and Singarche Village

On 29^th Jan 2020, with the purpose of conducting a workshop on menstrual hygiene and reusable pad making training a team of Namaste Nepal staffs and volunteer along with, Mrs. Shanti Regmi (Executive Director of Aythos) and, Mrs. Ruchika Jaggi (program coordinator of Moon Catcher project) headed toward Mandra from Kathmandu. The reusable sanitary pad is an eco-friendly menstrual pad. Besides this, the flannel cloth used for making the reusable sanitary pad is recommended by Gynecologist as well.               

Objective of the visit:

●       To deliver the knowledge on menstrual hygiene.

●       To train the women and young girls on making reusable cloth pad.

 Mothers group of Mandra and Singarche village at workshop

Few months ago, we conducted a training to make reusable sanitary pads in collaboration with Aythos Nepal at Gati, Sindhupalchok and Dansing village, Syangja. We received positive responses from the participants and as a result other neighboring community, mothers group were also interested in taking the same training in their own village. So, teachers from Singarche and health assistant from Mandra requested to do the same project at Singarche and Mandra. Since, students and mothers from Gati and Dansing Village found the workshop useful, we decided to hold the same project to provide awareness on menstrual health and hygiene.

On the date 27^th Jan 2020, first a meeting was held with Executive Director of Aythos, Mrs. Shanti Regmi and program coordinator of Moon Catcher project of India, Mrs. Ruchika Jaggi to plan and prepare for the workshop.   The Moon Catcher Project makes and distribute free reusable and washable menstrual pad kits for girls. It was provided with an objective of encouraging girl students to stay in school during their period and to give them a greater chance of completing their education. During our first training at Gati, Moon Catcher organization provided students of Shree Kali Devi Secondary School with washable menstrual pad kit which is very good and the material is durable.

Agendas

Following are the major agendas for discussion during the meeting:

Date	Activity
29th Jan, 2020	●       Travel from Kathmandu to Mandra ●       Introduction with the mothers group ●       Pre-Survey on menstrual health and hygiene with the participants ●       Presenting animated video on menstrupedia ●       Orientation on Menstrual health and hygiene to the participant ●       Reusable cloth pad making training
30th Jan, 2020	●   Feedback collection at Shree Kali Devi Secondary School on menstrual pad kid distributed by Moon Catcher ●     Travel to Singarche to conduct workshop ●     Introduction with the mothers group of Singarche ●     Pre-Survey on menstrual health and hygiene with the participants ●     Presenting animated video on menstrupedia ●     Orientation on Menstrual health and hygiene to the participant ●     Departure to Kathmandu

We are pleased to share that we have successfully completed our workshop to make reusable sanitary pad at Mandra and Singarche village on 29^th and 30^th January, 2020. The training was done in collaboration with Aythos Nepal. Since this was a collaborative project, Namaste Nepal took care of logistics of team from Aythos and Aythos Nepal supported the training materials for the participants. The workshop was held in Shree Gorakhnath Basic School and Shree Singarche Basic School. There were a total of 148 participants of the age group between 10-65 years. Following are the activities conducted during the training:

Introduction with the mothers group:

The workshop started with an introduction session of trainers, facilitators and volunteers from Namaste Nepal and Aythos Nepal. The participants were informed about our purpose of visit and the workshop. The introduction session helped the mothers to feel comfortable and to recognize the team well.

 

Beginning the session with the team introduction

Pre-Survey on menstrual health and hygiene:

Pre-survey plays an important role to collect information on menstrual health practices at Mandra and Singarche village. During the pre-survey, most of the women were feeling quite reluctant to answer the question however; some participants actively participated in the pre-survey. Out of 148 participants only 5-6 participants were able to give the right answer about menstruation and reason behind menstruation in girls.

Active participation of women during Pre-survey session

Information that we collect from the pre-survey are as follows:

⮚   Women feel uncomfortable to discuss and talk about menstruation with the male member in the family. Only a few mother and daughter used to have conversations on menstruation but never shared it with the male member in the family.

⮚  Most importantly we came to know that most of the women in Mandra and Singarche village use cloth during period and use disposable sanitary pad only while traveling. The clothes used during menstruation are the material from bed sheets and old torn up clothes.

⮚  Though most of the women dry the cloth used during menstruation in sunlight, they have the habit of hiding the cloth by covering other clothes on it especially when there is male member around them.

⮚  Back pain, stomach ache, tiredness and moodiness are the major problem faced by the women during menstruation period

⮚  None of the participants had ever received suggestions and services on menstrual pain in the village. Everyone thinks that menstruation is a natural process and women don't have to be health-conscious during menstruation.

⮚ Women still follow various cultural practices such as avoid entering kitchen and religious places at the time of menstruation.

⮚ We even asked the students of Shree Gorakhnath Basic School whether the teachers were teaching them about menstruation or not. One of the students was able to answer correctly about meaning of menstruation and its causes. The student said that the teachers are no longer shy to teach on menstrual health inside the classroom.

Presenting animated video on menstrupedia:

Participants viewing animated video on menstrupedia

Animated video by menstrupedia consists of detailed information on menstruation. This video presents practical guidance based on a real life story of a girl. It presents menstruation in the easiest and most entertaining way. Practical tips to deal with menstruation are provided through the character enacted by cartoons and is further supplemented with beautiful illustrations. Unfortunately, because of the lack of electricity supply at Shree Gorakhnath Basic School, presenting the video through projector was not possible.  So, we directly begin the orientation session during the workshop at Mandra.

However, at Singarche we were able to show the video on menstrupedia. The entire participants enjoyed the video and learned lots of new information on menstrual health and hygiene.

Orientation on Menstrual health and hygiene:

Orientation session lead by Mrs. Shanti Regmi

After showing the video on menstrupedia, we begin the orientation session. The collected information from pre-survey helped us understand the menstrual practices of women at Mandra and Singarche village. Accordingly, with the information collected from the pre-survey Mrs. Shanti Regmi delivered the information on menstrual health and hygiene. The entire participants were interested and satisfied with the knowledge they gained during orientation. Mrs. Shanti Regmi explained about the method of caring personal hygiene and also educates them about the side effects of not caring of their health at the time of menstruation.

Reusable cloth pad making training:

 Mothers and student participation in workshop

At Mandra 83 participants were trained to sew reusable cloth pad and at Singarche, there were a total of 65 participants who learned to make reusable cloth pad. At first, we distributed the materials for the workshops that are pre-cut portion of fleece, cotton cloth, thread, and a needle. This ensures that the materials are not wasted and saves time during the session. The entire participants followed the instruction of Mrs. Shanti Regmi on sewing sanitary cloth pad.  As there were many participants, we made various groups so that the volunteers can lead a group to facilitate them to sew sanitary cloth pad properly. Also the volunteers took care of the small babies during the training session so that the mothers could focus solely on their training. It took 3 hours to complete the entire session during the workshop. The participants had shown a great interest till the end of the session and sewed the sanitary cloth pad beautifully. The sanitary cloth pad sewed by the mothers looks very comfortable to use.

                   Participant's actively listening instruction to sew the reusable cloth pad

                                         Mothers sewing the sanitary cloth pad with keen interest

Feedback collection:

At Gati we took feedback on Moon Catcher menstrual pad kits that was provided last year to the student of Shree Kali Devi Secondary School during a workshop on sewing sanitary cloth pad. We got to know that students feel more comfortable using Moon Catcher menstrual pad kits while they are in school. 

Feedback collection from student of Shree Kali Devi Secondary School

At the end of the session, we took feedbacks from some of the participants f from the workshop. Every participant enjoyed the workshop session till the end and find the workshop very fruitful and useful. They thank the entire team for bringing such an informative workshop in the village. Lastly, we ended the workshop by taking a group picture of participants at Mandra and Singarche village.

  Participants from Mandra and Singarche village

Hence, the workshop was successfully completed with the active participation of women of Mandra and Singarche village. We would also like to thank the health assistant of Mandra, Mrs. Pabitra Lama and teachers from Shree Singarche Basic School for informing and motivating them to join the workshop in their respective villages.

Prepared by:

Jyotshana Ranjitkar( Assistant Coordinator)

Gati Visit report| Namaste Nepal

Namaste !

Here I am sharing you all about information and activities that I have found during my last visit to Gati for a week.

New Teachers: From new academic session school management has appointed dedicated, well experience new teachers in Kali Devi secondary school replacing vacant post in Kali Devi Secondary School in Gati,because most of the teachers have already resigned from Kali Devi secondary school. They would like to apply for government job since government have published notice for vacancy announcement for various position through civil service office. It's quite hard to be passed so they need plenty of time to prepare for exam.

New Teacher in Seti Devi: Since Goma Kumari Shrestha, head teacher of Seti Devi Basic School has resigned from Seti Devi School according to noticed from education office as they are offering for option to choose either teacher exam for permanent or resign to receive compensation. Hem Laxmi Tamang got opportunity to replace vacant post replacing Goma's position. So, School management committee has decided to recruit new teacher to replace the position of Hem Laxmi Tamang. I was in Seti Devi Basic School during teacher selection where 10 fresh candidates had participated on selection process. Alish Basnet a young smart lady from Barhabise could succeed to obtain highest points among ten candidates and has appointed as an English teacher in Seti Devi Basic School, Dandakateri.

Picture during teacher selection and meeting with teachers in Dandakateri

First Terminal Exam:  While visit each school of our project area in last week of June 2019, they all are busy with the first terminal exam, according to the annual calendar of the Barhabise Municipality Education Department, which has ended before the monsoon holidays. The exam was of municipality level, which has to be attempted common question set by education department of municipality.

Students are appearing First Term Examination

Renewable Energy Solar fitting Training:As same like in Dansing, I have asked Thrive Nepal to provide a solar light connection and installation training in Gati for grade 9 students for practical knowledge and skills. They were satisfied with the proposal and agreed to carry out their regular program for two days in Kali Devi Secondary School. There were 40 students from grade 9 have actively participated in the training and have the opportunity to gain practical knowledge about connecting and installation of solar energy. School management committees and teachers were enthusiastic about the program and helped to conduct training at school. During the training, due to the high number of participants, the group had to divide into two groups. We could simultaneously organize basic first aid training from the health assistant to another group to ensure precaution and health awareness as well as emergency case.

First Aid Training

Solar Power Connection Training

Solar Power Connection Training

Secondary Education Examination (SEE): SEE result has published on last week by the Central examination board, SanothimiBhaktapur. There were 22 students have participated on SEE examination from Kali Devi Secondary School, Gati this year. Among them 1 student could obtain A+ and 1 has passed with A, likewise 5 students have passed with B+, 11 students have passed with B and 4 students have passed with C+.  Comparatively the score shows better result than previous year. Pleased to share that student from Kali Devi Secondary School Gati have attempted in examination in English medium for the first time.   

School Building in Sotang:The school building construction in Sotang has been completed and it is planned to use a new building after the monsoon holidays. Recently, they began to manage and decorate the classrooms to enhance a better learning environment and more visually-based information for kids that has painted on the classroom walls. I have also ordered basic furniture, educational materials and equipment for Sotang that will deliver soon.

School in Sotang

Toilet construction:Separate Toiletsfacilities for Boys and Girls must be in school wherecontinuous water flow is a basic requirement for every single school. In this regards construction of the toilet in Dandakateri, Singarche, Kasheri, Mandra KG, Mandra School, Sotang and Bugam is almost completed. The construction of 4 rooms toilet at schools which have high number of students and chances to increase enrollment similarly school with less number of student have 3 room toilet. Most likely, all of these can be used again from the start of school after the monsoon holidays.

Toilets

Current Status of School Building in Bugam: Glad to share with you all that the construction of a school building in Bugam comes to an end with several trouble and issues in local level. School's location of school, absence of road access, labour shortage and coordination in village plus management committee are the major cause of delay on completion of building construction.  Especially the concrete work for the main structure of the school building has completed with the completion of the roof installation this week. Plastering, installation of doors and windows, electricity and coloring are still to be done. We have already stored required material in Bugam, so that the remaining work can be done in the monsoon. However, this depends on the road access to Bugam and the available skilled workers, as it is found that most of them are occupied by the field work during the monsoon.

School Building in Bugam

Mandra Kindergarten: The building construction of the Mandra kindergarten has completed and shifted to own building from earlier rented rooms. The management committee and the children are happy to have their own building and to relish their daily classes. The classroom management and decoration of the classrooms will carry out soon to enhance better learning environment and visual knowledgeable information on wall from where kids will experience reading with fun inside the classroom. I have ordered basic furniture items for classroom facilities in the kindergarten.

Mandra Kindergarten

Meeting in Singarche: It's nice to know that the school management team could receive permission from the district office to upgrade class in Singarche from this academic session. They have been trying to upgrade class from five so that students can easily attend lower secondary education in their own village; till now all students are forced to go Barhabise after completing fifth grade. I have found that the teachers and the school management team are very committed and trying to provide better education for students and improve education system in Singarche. Due to which student's enrollment rate in Singarche is relatively high compared to other primary schools in the region. From our annual budget plan for Singarche, they have already set up a kindergarten classroom with wooden floor, cabinet and well carpet flooring in classroom. In addition, I have handed over teaching materials including books and stationery, ICT materials and materials for science lab to provide better facilities for teaching and learning.

Kindergarten classroom & materials handover to Singarche

Gati Coffee Cooperative: It turns out that the coffee production is slightly lower than the previous year, as there are differences in production from year after. Anyway, there will be more production next year as the plants bloom a lot more and new plants are growing well enough to give more coffee next year. In addition, interested farmers are adding more new plants in their field each year.

Gati Coffee

Classroom Decoration: Basically classroom that assign for lower classes in Gati, Dandakateri, Singarche and Sotang have already painted classroom walls with very interesting and knowledgeable pictures, rhyme, chart etc. for classroom decoration and visual information. Similarly, cupboard, notice board and book shelves and shoe rack has been installed for proper place to store belonging of students for wonderful classroom.   

Classroom Wall Painted

Monsoon vacation: There may be disturbance and irregularity of students during monsoon, so to maintain regularity of every student's attendance and avoid class disturbances from rain, school management of every school have noticed for monsoon vacation for a month that effecting from 1^st of July and will resume from 1^st week of August 2019. The holidays are valid in most public schools in all over Nepal during the same period.  

I am thinking about organizing teacher training for teachers of all schools in this monsoon vacation to update latest information, to provide additional knowledge to the teachers on advance teaching methodology and teacher skill development to improve education system in Schools.

Lastly I would like to thank you all for great and unconditional support for improvement of education and infrastructure development. Basically, high amount support on school building construction which will end very soon but due to unexpected circumstance, labour shortage, uncertain market inflation on material cost that directly effect on investment cost and completion building construction on target time duration.

Let's say everything moving smoothly with your project.

Thanking you

NimaTshering Lama

Coordinator