Muslim scouts, UK charity partner to keep girls in school

 

 

KAMPALA - Muslim scouts under their umbrella organisation, National Union of Uganda Muslim Scouts (NUUMS) have launched a project that will enable girls to remain in school during menstruation.

 

The project; Dignity for Girls, will be funded by Faith in Water, a UK-based Charity that works with faith-founded schools to improve water, sanitation and hygiene.

 

The project was launched by the Co-Founder of Faith in Water, Susie Weldon at Kazo Mixed Primary School, Nasansa Municipality (in Wakiso district) on Thursday June 21.

 

Speaking during the function, the Secretary General of Nuums, Hajji SuleimanMusana asked parents and teachers to work hand-in-hand to ensure that the project attains its objectives.

 

"Many of our primary school girls drop out of school when they go into their periods. Our friends from the UK will be helping us to train teachers and parents on how to handle pupils during this condition.

 

"They will also be providing us with reusable sanitary pads further to equipping the stake-holders with the skills to make them.

 

"They will also be providing general facilities like water and changing rooms for better management of the condition," Musana said.Musana later declared that the project was going to benefit primary school girls in Nansana Municipality primary schools.

 

Faith in Water Co-founder, Susie Weldon together with Nuums' official and children from Kazo Primary School after launch. (Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

Faith in Water co-founder Susie Weldon asked parents and teachers to do more to change the attitude of the pupils towards menstruation.

 

"Our girls continue to be stigmatised because of lack of information. So, there is a great need to help the girls know that this is a normal condition, which is actually good for their health. Their attitude will subsequently change and they will not have to drop out of school when they get into this condition."

 

The function kicked off with a march past staged by pupils of from schools like Kazo Junior PS, Light Islamic PS, Nansana, ZamZam primary school, Nabweru, Kazo Church of Uganda PS and Kazo Mixed Primary School, the hosts.

 Some of the Nuums leaders that graced the function.(Credit: Mathias Mazinga)

 

The function was graced by the Assistant National Chairman of Nuums, Hajj Suleiman Habib, and the KCCA Education Officer for Makindye Division, HajjatRehemaNdagire.

 

The Nuums Coordinator for East Buganda, Mohammed Sseruwagi, theCommissioner for Youth at the Uganda National Scouts Association, AsmaKanagwa, Nuums Commissioner for Wakiso, ReilaNabifoand the Kampala DistrictKhadi (Uganda Muslim Supreme Council), Sheikh Mohammed Yiga also graced the function.

 

Also during the function, Susie Weldon was inducted as a member of National Union of Uganda Muslim Scouts.