General Report

The project titled "Increasing Menstrual Hygiene Management and Service Delivery to Adolescent Girls and Women in Base Camp and Nkoma Zones - Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement" an 11 moths project with Open Society Foundation that started in February 2023 and carried out in December 2023, aimed to improve menstrual hygiene among women and girls aged 12 to 35 in refugee and host communities. Targeting 300 direct beneficiaries, the project also indirectly benefited about 50% of the local community. Key objectives included understanding disease prevention related to menstrual hygiene, educating on the use of reusable and non-reusable sanitary products, and empowering the community to voice their challenges and solutions. Key activities encompassed project inception, community mobilization, a baseline survey, and ongoing monitoring and evaluation. The project included procuring materials for making reusable sanitary pads, rehabilitating ALPHA ELIMU’s office and constructing a community center for education on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), facilitating dialogue meetings, and distributing 1,200 reusable sanitary pads. Through these efforts, the project sought to enhance menstrual health and hygiene practices among participants.

Alpha Elimu successfully conducted community mobilizations in all zones located in Rwamwanja, raising awareness about hygiene and the importance of menstrual health. Engaging the community through drama, we identified a significant need for education on making menstrual reusable sanitary pads. In response, we trained learners at our local center, led by a skilled trainer, resulting in a strong turnout and positive community feedback. Our team conducted door-to-door data collection to follow up on beneficiaries preparing for an upcoming graduation, ensuring those skilled in tailoring could earn a living by producing pads.

Additionally, on World Toilet Day, we collaborated with organizations like UNHCR and AVSI to highlight the critical importance of sanitation. We discovered that 40% of households lacked toilets, which underscored the need for hygiene education and improved facilities. Overall, our project reached 400 participants (100 as variance to target) including 300 females and 100 males, benefiting 380 refugees and 20 nationals in the Rwamwanja refugee settlement.

The project "Increasing Menstrual Hygiene Management and Service Delivery to Adolescent Girls and Women in Base Camp and Nkoma Zones - Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement" faced significant challenges, particularly concerning insufficient sewing machines and high demand for training. The scarcity of machines led to breakdowns and maintenance issues, delaying the production of reusable sanitary pads. To address this, Alpha Elimu implemented a structured schedule, dividing learners into three shifts to maximize machine usage. This approach not only improved access but also fostered a sense of community among participants.

Furthermore, the overwhelming interest from women and youth from surrounding zones highlighted the increased need for such programs. To meet this demand, it became evident that establishing additional learning centers would be beneficial. Ongoing support is crucial for this expansion, ensuring that more individuals can gain essential skills in tailoring and menstrual hygiene management. 

These lessons underscore the importance of resource allocation, flexible scheduling, and responding to community needs to enhance project effectiveness. Best practices involve continuous assessment of resources, building partnerships for support, and creating inclusive training opportunities to foster empowerment among marginalized groups.