Mercy Kaluzi wants to become a nurse upon completing her studies. Currently in standard 7 at Mdyankhanga primary school, Mercy was all smiles to have sanitation kits set within their school compound for the first time since she started schooling at the school in standard 4.
Lack of basic sanitary kits at the school would not suit well with her ambition to become a nurse as she believes hygienic conditions is paramount when it comes to treating patients at the hospital.
‘Hygiene prevent one from contracting diseases, cholera and diarrhoea are some of the diseases one can suffer from if not practising good hygiene.’she said
However, through the menstrual hygiene management initiative students at the school emulate the practise of washing hands every time they come in contact with dirty.
Mercy understands that menstruation is not a disease but rather unavailability of soap and water during this moment makes one not feel confident among fellow pupils.
‘Without proper care of your body and hands during this moment it might be risky for your own health and others as well and also to some extent people might not come around you because maybe the menses are producing smell.’ she said
At Mdyankhanga primary school, access to portable water is a challenge as the students travel a bit of a long distance to fetch water to be used by the whole school.
Thus, without these sanitation kits, more students were at risk of suffering from cholera because they would normally not wash their hands much of the time.
Umunthuplus is implementing the menstrual health hygiene initiative at Mdyankhanga and Nsenjere primary schools under the ‘Cover her Days Project’ with financial support from Thinkmalawi.
