RUMPS

Lizzie, another PCV in my group, traveled ALL the way out to my village (not an easy thing), and taught my freshman girls how to make reusable menstrual pads, (or rumps as shes dubbed them). The girls and I had a great time. It was really nice to be able to talk to the girls about woman's health issues and common misconceptions about their bodies and sex. We made 100 pads and Lizzie left me with more pads, because now every girl in my school also wants to make them. All 500 of them. Looks like I cant ever really complain about being board anytime soon.
Its a great program. The girls love it. Lizzie has traveled around to many other volunteer's schools to teach. I enjoyed it because it works, and the girls are enthusiastic, and there's a need.
Menstrual pads are expensive here in Uganda and most girls are unable to buy any or enough. Instead, most are forced to use unsanitary things to take care of themselves. I know the ones that need them the most will also teach their sisters and their mothers back in the village.
Most of the women here dont even know why they menstruate, or the difference between menstruation or ovulation, or what to consider normal or abnormal about their cycles. They know little about fertility, despite the fact that they are blamed 100% of infertility. Its always nice to teach them that there is another party involved in this and that its not always their fault.
It was a lot of fun, and I will definitely continue doing it with my other woman's groups and with the rest of the ladies at my school.
Thanks Lizzie! You are fabulous! RUMPS is spreading! Miss you already!