Africa appeal is not pants!
Helping girls keep up their studies
Female pupils at impoverished schools in Malawi are being helped to keep attending their studies thanks to North Lanarkshire school pupils and council staff.
An appeal, to collect new underpants for girls so they can attend school during their menstruation, has been a huge success.
And now 13 pupils from North Lanarkshire secondaries will help deliver the underwear to schools in the African country as they embark upon a 10-day visit.
North Lanarkshire Provost Jean Jones said: “Fresh clean pants aren’t widely available in Malawi, which means that many girls simply can’t get to school during their menstruation.
“This has a hugely negative impact on their education.
“These kind donations by council staff and local people will make a huge difference to a girl’s life chances – so thank you everyone.”
The pants appeal helps North Lanarkshire’s Aiming Higher in Malawi project which aims to transform the health and education of girls and disabled children in the poverty-stricken country.
Charles Fawcett, healthy lifestyle project manager and a frequent visitor to Malawi, added: “The work of the project team can make a huge difference not only the girls’ education but to the local community.
“Families and communities treat girls and boys differently. Girls face greater discrimination, less access to opportunities and little or inadequate education and health care.
“Knowing that they have support and generosity from the people of North Lanarkshire often provides a great boost to the girls’ confidence and self-esteem.”
Go online to www.justgiving.com/ ahim if you want to contribute to the project.
The project can make a difference not only to the girls’ education but to the local community