More than 500 girls from North Nyakach Ward in Nyakach Sub-County have benefited from the Pad a Girl initiative, a program spearheaded by the office of Kisumu County Senator, Proffesor Tom Ojienda.
This initiative aims to provide sanitary pads to girls to ensure they can stay in school without disruptions caused by menstruation.
The program was established to ease the burden faced by many parents in the area, who often struggle to afford both school fees and basic necessities like sanitary pads.
Recognizing this challenge, Senator Ojienda launched the initiative to ensure girls have access to the essential items they need, allowing them to focus on their education.
In addition to distributing sanitary pads, the senator has also taken steps to cover school fees for many of the girls.
This move is intended to reduce the financial strain on parents and ensure that students remain in school.Speaking to KTMN, several parents expressed their gratitude for the senator’s support.
“Life has been incredibly difficult. We struggle to cover fees and provide for our families What Prof. Ojienda has done is a great relief.
By paying school fees and providing sanitary pads, he’s ensuring our daughters stay in school,” said a parent from St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School.
Dr. Simon Peter, a manager in the senator’s office, emphasized the program’s focus on supporting girls, noting that they face more significant challenges than boys, leading to higher dropout rates.
“Research shows that girls remain more vulnerable to obstacles that keep them out of school.
This program aims to address these challenges and keep girls in class,” he explained.
The students, overjoyed by the support, expressed their appreciation and requested continued assistance to help them improve their academic performance.
St. Charles Lwanga Secondary School Principal, Judy Mangich, applauded Senator Ojienda’s efforts.
“I am incredibly grateful for the work Prof. Ojienda is doing to support the girl child. His initiatives are making a huge difference, and I hope he continues to assist more girls for the sake of their future,” she said.
This initiative is a significant step toward promoting gender equality in education, ensuring that girls in Nyakach have the tools and support they need to stay in school and succeed.
Pad a Girl initiative supports over 500 girls in Nyakach with sanitary pads and school fees, Launched by Kisumu County Senator Prof. Tom Ojienda, the program addresses barriers to education faced by girls.
Parents and school officials praise the initiative for reducing financial burdens and promoting education.
This effort, led by Prof. Tom Ojienda, underscores the importance of providing comprehensive support to students, ensuring that every child has an equal opportunity to pursue their education.
IAN BYRON 
Lydia Wanaswa