Important life lessons for Mafunde teenagers

Our Ufulu programme is gathering momentum. In 2024, the 12-session health and wellbeing course for teenagers was successfully launched at two of Hope4Malawi’s partner primary schools, Chimwembe and Chipwepwete.

The course teaches important life lessons to girls and boys aged 11 to 14 and is underway at a third partner school, Mafunde Primary. 

Delivered twice a week by a fully trained team from Hope Skills Centre, the course at Mafunde Primary is led by Harriet, with support from Cuthbert and some of our Youth Development students on work placements.

One part of this course covers how cultural attitudes towards menstruation can influence equal opportunities for girls approaching womanhood. Session 9 of the course ‘Stories about Puberty’ helps dispel the myths and provides practical health and wellbeing advice.

On 18th March, the boys and girls at Mafunde learnt about puberty and how to care for their health and hygiene during this life stage. They all received a gift of soap. At the end of the session, the students split into two groups: the girls with Harriet, Charis and Idah, and the boys with Cuthbert and Macdonald.

The girls’ group discussed puberty and periods, and received advice from the team on all aspects of using a reusable sanitary pad. Girls who had already started their periods were gifted a reusable drawstring bag and four reusable sanitary pads.

Our Youth Development students on the tailoring work placement course at Hope Skills Centre make the bags and pads.

These pads encourage girls to attend school when they are menstruating, so they don’t miss out. The education around menstruation and using pads helps girls to know that it’s normal to have periods, and that they shouldn't restrict them from going to school and enjoying life.

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Can you help a child in Malawi?

Thanks to the kind support of our partners, sponsors, fundraisers and volunteers, Hope4Malawi's Youth Development programmes, school building, resourcing projects, and student sponsorships continue to provide life-changing opportunities for children growing up in rural Blantyre.

For further information and ways to get involved, please contact.