JSA boys present sanitary towels to girls at Somnyamekodur

The group of young boys from Junior Shapers Africa (JSA), who embarked on a project to raise funds to buy sanitary towels for less privileged girls, so as to prevent absenteeism in rural areas during menstrual periods have made a presentation to the Somnyamekodur D/A Basic School in the Hemang Lower Denkyira District of the Central Region.

With support from the general public, the boys were able to raise a total of GH¢1,850 to purchase the towels.

Aged between 9-13 years, they were part of a boy’s only boot camp organised by Junior Shapers Africa (JSA), a non-governmental organisation focused on grooming and mentoring boys to become responsible men in future.

They visited Somnyamekodur at the weekend and handed over the sanitary towels.

The decision to provide sanitary towels for less privileged girls is aimed at helping girls who cannot afford them and as a result, absented themselves from school.

The move is in fulfillment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 1, 5 and 10 and served as part of JSA’s activities to involve boys in the celebration of the International Day of the Girl marked globally on October 11, 2018.

The young boys took it upon themselves to raise funds to provide a year's supply of sanitary towels for the girls as well as empower them with skills to gain economic independence in order to reduce poverty in their community.

Related: Boys raise funds to buy sanitary towels for unprivileged girls

On arrival at Somnyamekodur D/A Basic School, the group comprising of 11 boys from the JSA 2018 Future Men Bootcamp, two parents and the JSA team were well received by the school and community.

Mr. Mike Angu Donkor, the headmaster of the School thanked JSA for coming to their aid and addressing a dire need of the girls in the school.

The Assemblyman of the area, Mr. Augustine Oteng Acheampong also applauded the efforts of JSA.

Addressing the gathering, Founding Director of JSA, Mrs. Ethel A. Marfo emphasised the need to groom male youth to enable them to discover themselves and their role as men in order to protect and advance the cause of women and girls in society.

She advised boys to support girls and be sensitive to challenges facing them and desist from abusing them.

She also commended the efforts of Mr. Bright Vordzogbe, a teacher at Somnyamekodur D/A Basic School who wrote a letter requesting for support for the girls to enable them to afford sanitary towels.

The JSA Bootcamp 2018 participants led by Melorwo Muzzu spoke to the girls about menstrual hygiene, self-discovery and entrepreneurship skills.