Vulnerable girls receive sanitary towels

Family Restoration team leader Mr. Gordon Aongo distributing the sanitary towels to the beneficiaries at Langas primary school in Uasin Gishu County.Photo/Edmond Kipngeno.

Several teenage girls living in slums whose plight is compounded by the Covid-19 have received sanitary towels from Family Restoration organisation.

The girls are drawn from informal settlements in Langas ward, Uasin Gishu County.

Close to 100 vulnerable girls received sanitary pads which sums to a total of over 400 girls who have benefited from the organization since its inception 5 months ago.

Addressing press after issuing the pads, the organization’s team leader Mr. Gordon Aongo said that life in the slums is challenging which prompted him to initiate the project after receiving a plight of several girls missing the pads during their periods.

“We are very greatful to distribute today sanitary towels to over 70 girls from Langas, the pads will cushion them during the Coronavirus pandemic,”said Aongo.

He added that most of the girls could receive the sanitary towels from their respective schools when they were still open, but they are forced to do menial jobs in order to buy them.

Aongo has now asked the government to step in by providing pads to girls and food, mostly to those living in poverty-stricken slum areas.

“We cannot be in a position to reach to every girl. We are asking the government and other organisations to join us in this course because the responsibility lies amongst us in the society,” reiterated Aongo.

According to Aongo, the organization also offers support to vulnerable families by providing basic counselling, motivational enhancements and case management.

“This helps the vulnerable population to build self esteem to confront emerging challenges during this pandemic period hence promote their mental health and psychosocial well-being,”added Aongo.

He has also asked parents to remain closer to their children during this pandemic.

The beneficiaries thanked the organization’s efforts to intervene during the hard times of Covid-19 while asking government and well wishers to support the girl child.

During his visit to inspect schoools preparedness on Covid-19 in Siaya County, Cabinet Secretary, Education, Prof. George Magoha slammed parents who blamed the shooting cases of early teenage pregnancies on governments snail-slow pace on distributing the free pads.