Train 150 AGYW (10-24 Years) on Menstrual Hygiene

Summary:

Our organisation ‘’African Child and Youth Development Initiative (ACYDI)’’ has integrated the extra-curricular activities such as swimming, outdoor play materials etc into teaching and learning processes and acquired partnerships with Malaika Junior School Mukono and other stakeholders to offer numerous benefits for AGYW and pupils, contributing to their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development. Over 70 AGYW have been skilled in Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and through outdoor play materials for the learning environment has strengthened cognitive development, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, creativity, and imaginative play skills. Approximately 70 AGYW have been engaged in open-ended activities in STEM, such as constructing structures, and creating imaginary worlds, which stimulate their creativity, critical thinking, and spatial reasoning skills.

Achievements/Actions taken:

Music and dance activities have been conducted which has promoted cultural appreciation, relaxation, stress relief and socialisation skills among the AGYW.
AGYW have been able to discover cultures, traditions, positive role models, and building interest in STEM programs such as science, technology, engineering and math.
ACYDI’s extra-curricular trainings improved Language and Communication Skills for the AGYW, provided opportunities for verbal interaction, storytelling, and role-playing. Dolls, and play props facilitated imaginative play scenarios where children engage in conversations, express their emotions, and practice language skills.
The AGYW have been prepared for the School Readiness due to the installation of the play materials that supported AGYW readiness for formal schooling and fostered the foundational skills and competencies. These have developed the AGYW’s pre-literacy and numeracy skills, social-emotional competence, self-regulation, and problem-solving abilities, laying the groundwork for academic success and lifelong learning.
Our engagement of the AGYW into the extra-curricular activities have supported the AGYW in emotional intelligence and empathy through understanding and being able to manage their emotions, love for lifelong learning, boosting confidence, teamwork, participation and self esteem and achievement.

Challenges and suggested solutions:

We have limited resources such as play materials which cannot cater for all the AGYW at the same time and this is a challenge, as well as time management especially balancing activities and personal time. There’s an issue of inclusion for persons that are abled differently because some play materials and extra-curricular activities requires some hands-on human body interactions during the plays. ACYDI has made sure that all the play materials are accessible and inclusive for all AGYW even those with physical disabilities and special needs. ACYDI shall consider AGYW inclusivity in the outdoor play spaces to accommodate diverse abilities, provide wheelchair access, and offer sensory-rich experiences that cater to the needs of all AGYW.

Furthermore, there is limited budgetary constraints which may limit the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of outdoor play materials and with limited funding, may struggle to invest in high-quality play equipment, landscaping, and safety features, potentially compromising the quality and safety of outdoor play experiences for the AGYW.
Additionally, we have limited space constraints with the outdoor play equipment which sometimes may face challenges in providing sufficient space for outdoor plays, requiring creative solutions such as rooftop gardens, shared community spaces and partnerships with local community as stakeholders.

Suggested solution:

ACYDI should participate in the resource mobilisation strategies, fundraising, grant writing and seek for more partnerships on board in the provision of resources such as inclusive spacious play materials which supports all persons regardless of disability, sex, gender etc. It is however recommended that inclusion should be given more priority so that all persons that are abled differently are not left out because some play materials and extra-curricular activities requires some hands-on human body interactions during the plays. ACYDI has made sure that all the play materials are accessible and inclusive for all AGYW even those with physical disabilities and special needs. ACYDI will always consider AGYW inclusivity in the outdoor play spaces to accommodate diverse abilities, provide wheelchair access, and offer sensory-rich experiences that cater to the needs of all AGYW.

Conclusion:

Furthermore, though there is limited budgetary constraints which may limit the acquisition, installation, and maintenance of outdoor play materials and with limited funding, it was highly recommended by the stakeholders that we need to procure in high-quality play equipment, landscaping, and safety features, to improve the quality and safety of outdoor play experiences for the AGYW. Additionally, though we have limited space constraints with the outdoor play equipment which sometimes may face challenges in providing sufficient space for outdoor plays, requiring creative solutions such as rooftop gardens, shared community spaces and partnerships with local community as stakeholders, ACYDI has hired qualified professionals who have conducted the extra-curricular training to the AGYW in Mukono district and developed the curriculum that guided the training and learning outcomes.