Life Skills Education and Counseling - Mpumiro - Mpumiro Primary School

Visit by Lorna Katagara on 2022-03-07

Report ID

16123

Created by

Lorna Katagara

Created date

2022-03-10 11:20:42 UTC

Modified by

Lorna Katagara

Modified date

2022-03-17 09:29:43 UTC

Trip Time

09:40-18:00 (8 h 20 m)

Village Time

11:40-16:00 (4 h 20 m)

Travel Time

4 h 0 m

Life Skills Education and Counseling school lesson

School

Mpumiro Primary School 

Lesson Taught

Menstrual Hygiene 

Girls Attended

35 

Boys Attended

45 

Total Student Attendance

80 

Teachers Attended

1 

Staff Attendees

Lorna Katagara 

Government Attendees

Other 

School Staff Attendees

Life Skills Teacher 

Visitor Attendees

None 

Total Attendance

0 

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson both boys and girls understand what Menstrual hygiene and management is. That it is a Normal human process.

Notes

As usual on arrival , Lorna went straight to the Headteachers office where she signed in before heading to the Life a Skills Class. In the classroom , Lorna was welcomed by the students, the books and pens distributed and we did a quick review of the previous lesson on values of education. After the review , Lorna introduced the new lesson of the day Menstrual hygiene and management. Lorna started by asking the class who can tell us what Menstration is . One could tell in the eyes of the students that they were shy or ashamed of talking about this topic. Lorna eased the tension by telling them it’s okay every female person undergoes menstration ; our teachers, sisters, mothers, cousins etc. She encouraged them to feel free and not be afraid. Martha then put up her hand said Menstration is the monthly flow of blood which was correct and Lorna asked the class to clap for her. Lorna added yes it is true and this happens to women and girls of reproductive age. She then asked the class which ages were these and they mentioned 18,15,13,16 among others which Lorna thanked them for their responses and mentioned even 9 years old as our bodies grow differently. We then looked at Menstrual hygiene and management that is the signs prior menstration and again students mentioned back ache, stomachache, headache ,pimples and Lorna added cravings, weakness, pain and swelling of breasts, mood swings among others. After here we looked at ways of managing these cramps like; taking a pain killer, doing exercises, taking hot water, lying on ones back, putting warm water in a water bottle or warm towel over ones abdomen among others. Lorna also mentioned to the girls not to be stressed about menstruation and that usually the stress comes because we don’t have the materials to use. Lorna asked what some of these materials were and they mentioned; pads, clothes among others. Lorna mentioned to the students that we need to use the right material to avoid diseases but also to fit and be comfortable among our peers. Lorna also mentioned to the boys to support the girls during this time because they play a big role when it comes to the girls / women’s future. Teacher Kulire added that this was among the reasons why girls drop out of school. He added that it was normal that girls should not miss school or mothers miss their work but to learn how to manage this time. Lorna also added that if however the girls had sex they can become pregnant. We finished by demonstrating how to properly wear a sanitary towel and different materials that can be used during this time. Lorna discouraged unhygienic clothes and asked that they keep clean during this time. After the lesson Lorna sent out the boys and met with only the girls where we discussed their challenges and looked at how to help them. One girl mentioned that as her she wears three knickers during this time. After this Lorna went to Mpumiro village. In the community, the community members came late to the meeting and when asked why they came late, they mentioned that they had forgotten the day while others mentioned they were in the garden. Lorna mentioned to them that because they were late they were going to look at the overview of the lesson and that she would then leave them with homework. She told them she understands they were digging but we agreed that after School , Lorna would then come to the community. We looked at the definition of what a goal is and the different types of goals that is short term goals and long term goals. We also looked at the importance of having goals in our lives for example; it helps one work hard, achieve that which they thought was impossible , helps one know their weaknesses to work on them and strength to build on them, goals keep us focused, make us drop or adapt new behaviour s among others. Lorna left them with an assignment that in the next lesson, we will have the members tell us their goals and how they plan to achieve them, challenges, benefits, time frame among others. Lorna however mentioned that these goals should be SMART- specific, measurable , Attainable, realistic and time bound. We will start from the goals worksheet next week. We had 18 participants in total 

Next Visit

2022-03-14 - Purpose: Teach on the bridge model at school and in the community continue with goal setting and also teach on early pregnancies.

Program Success

N/A

Program Critical Needs

Decision Making

Program Ownership

Participation

Other Program Observations

The borehole is functioning well.

Program Expected Of Village

Be in class in time for the lessons, this is for the school. As for the community to also keep time.

Program Staff Preparations Next Visit

Call prior and also prepare for the next lessonr

 

Report Photos

During the lesson of menstrual hygiene and management

Lorna picked on some volunteers to demonstrate how to wear a sanitary towel.

Brenda demonstrating how to wear a sanitary towel/pad. The other volunteers were turning back so that they don’t get to cheat. This was also done to check whether these students have used a pad before and if so how ?

Lorna showing some of the good materials that can be used during menstruation.