The Women’s Empowerment Program (WEP) is a program at Nsondole CDSS that started with supplying all the female students with menstrual products so they could attend school. This program has grown in many ways over the past 10 years.
From disposable pads to skill-building
From initially providing disposable pads and a safe place to discuss feminine care, the program has grown to lead workshops where female students are learning how to sew their own reusable pads; a skill which they bring into their homes and neighborhoods to teach even more girls and women. The most recent workshop took place this May, where 51 female students from every grade attended and the workshop was led by the matron of Nsondole CDSS.
“The students were very happy that the meetings have resumed. They couldn’t stop sewing when told that time was up. They were so eager to continue sewing”
Students sewing their own reusable pads.
We’ve expanded WEP Skills Training in 2025!
We have expanded the WEP programming to include cooking classes and hair care classes for more than 80 female students, which occur on a monthly basis. Skills training allows the female students to bond and learn real-life applicable skills which can assist them in entrepreneurial endeavors and their personal growth.
These home skills have been noticed by and have been appreciated by the parents and guardians of the students. One parent joked that now that the girls know how to make a decent pot of rice, they will be able to open a restaurant.
WEP continues to support the female students of Nsondole CDSS in more ways than one; it creates a community in which knowledge concerning women’s health isn’t taboo- it can be talked about in a safe environment. For more on the community WEP creates and supports, click here, and to support the WEP project directly, click here to make a one-time donation.