In its resolution to address the girl child’s health challenges, an Abuja and US-based NGO has distributed sanitary products to over 300 Girls in Kachia town, Kachia local government of Kaduna State.
The gesture was part of activities that marked International Children’s Day celebrations. The special guest of honour, Mrs Juliana Manzo Daniel Maigari, wife to the executive chairman of Kachia local government area, called on parents to cultivate the culture of educating their adolescent female children on menstrual cycle and hygiene management, as it is the tradition.
She said girls in Kachia, as is the case elsewhere, face health challenges; hence the need to educate them as their period approaches. Adding that the girl child who faces numerous health challenges stems from the lack of access to healthcare services, amongst others.
She commended the Ďiaconia Intervention for Human Development Foundation for the initiative to address the health challenges confronting the girl child, especially in rural communities.
Earlier in his welcome address, Mr Samaila Gaude, director of administration at DIACONIA Intervention for Human Development Foundation, said the foundation’s history is built around humanitarian services, and its core mission is to impact the lives of the underprivileged in our society and restore human dignity.
Mr Gaude added that the foundation remains committed to this course through its Ďiaconia programme of activities on human services both locally and internationally. He said the mission, aims, and objectives are to honour the legacy, inspiration and vision of individuals like the late Commodore D.S. Audu, its co-founder, through Ďiaconia Interventions in education, health, agriculture and empowerment.
Mr Gaude said the foundation’s programme includes scholarships to students, vocational training (skills acquisition) for women and youth, as well as community service, adding that the foundation is committed to translating the vision of its founder, Ambassador Barr. Lami Audu, who is deeply passionate about supporting women and youth through programmes of the foundation.
Enumerating the foundation’s achievements, Mr Gaude said the foundation has made significant achievements in the following areas: provision of free and direct medical care to over 5000 persons in various urban and rural communities, sponsorship of over 300 students through scholarships in various institutions across the country.
He said DIACONIA has also facilitated job opportunities for over 50 youths, established health care facilities through partnership, and supported 20 farmers with fertiliser and other farm inputs.
“This is one of the many interventions by DIACONIA Intervention For Human Development Foundation this year, and we are committed to sustaining it as part of our interventions to provide for the needs of the underprivileged in our society.”
The guest speaker, Mrs Helen Samuel Musa, presented a paper titled “Managing Menstrual Cycle and Hygiene.” She said it is an aspect or process of development as a woman for the possibility of pregnancy, emphasising why girls need to properly manage their menstrual cycle in a clean and healthy way.
She also called for regular hand washing and pad changing every 3 or 4 hours, as well as continuing to follow such rules and using sanitary products as necessary for regular hygiene practices.
In his closing remarks, the programme coordinator, Mr Samuel Musa Bahago, thanked the invited special guests, principals, teachers, and, most importantly, students who graced the occasion.
The packs given to each of the 300 girls contained 32 pads, toothpaste and brush, roll-on, shaving sticks, and antiseptic soap, among other things.
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