At the women's prison, the government is meant to supply the menstrual pads for all the inmates - about 90 women, the majority aged between 18-45yo and needing one to two packages of pads every month. The government is responsible for providing these materials, as it is a health and sanitation necessity for the women. After a few months working at the prison, simply teaching yoga, fitness, and meditation, I came to learn that the prison receives about 15-20 packages of pads every month (if they're lucky that month). Beyond the lucky few who got sanitary pads, the women used spoiled clothing, shared pads, leaves, old paper/newspaper, or used plastic bags during their weekly Menstrual Period. These methods can often lead to discomfort, infection, and disease. Thanks to #thesaboproject at my school, Little Angels, with @diffeyewear, we were able to train the pupils and staff at our school about Re-Usable Menstrual Pads made out of local materials AND donate the leftover materials to the women's prison. Now each woman has been trained in menstruation, the reproductive systems, and healthy behaviors while also crafting their own R.U.M.P. for their own usage (or their daughter's). It was a fun three days of Yoga/RUMP sessions for myself and the ladies! This was BY FAR the most well received workshop I've ever been a part of, filled with amazing women and insightful questions and discussions I had yet to have prior to these days together. I had questions about in-vitro fertilization, genetics, and forma of birth control. Extra Bonus? Many of the women plan to make and sell these for an income immediately upon leaving the prison as it is hard for them to find jobs after being an inmate. Here is Harriet, proud that her pre-prison training in tailoring benefitted her in this training as she made a beautiful RUMP and taught others how to sew properly! She was a super help with translation and technical advice for everyone (including myself) throughout the workshops. I am inspired by these women day-in and day-out and their wonderfully contagious spirit to learn and to love. #peacecorps #uganda #rumps #diffeyewear #pouchproject #reproductivehealth #vscocam
