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At Catalyst Foundation, we are dedicated to empowering individuals within society, with a particular focus on girls living in marginalised rural communities across Africa. Our mission is to provide opportunities for these girls to become the best version of themselves, with a strong emphasis on education and autonomy.
We firmly believe that every girl child has the right to education, the opportunity to unlock her full potential, and the autonomy to confidently make choices about her future. Through our S.H.E. (Secure, Hope, Empowered) Programme, we are committed to turning this vision into a reality by removing the barriers that prevent girls from achieving their desired future.
The Importance of Girl Child Education in Africa
Education is a powerful tool that can break the cycle of poverty and empower individuals to thrive. In rural Africa, however, girls face numerous obstacles when it comes to accessing education. We understand that girl child education is crucial for creating lasting change and empowering future generations. By providing girls with quality education, we equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to make informed decisions about their lives.
Breaking Down Barriers: The S.H.E. Programme’s Bespoke Support Model
Our S.H.E. Programme is specifically designed to address the challenges that girls in the rural communities that we support face in accessing education. We recognise that health, hygiene, and menstrual health are significant factors that can affect a girl’s education and overall well-being. Therefore, our S.H.E. Programme has a pillar of support that focuses on these key areas to create an environment where girls can thrive academically and personally.
Addressing Health Challenges
We firmly believe that healthy girls are more likely to succeed in the classroom. To ensure that our beneficiaries have access to basic healthcare services, we have partnered with local healthcare providers. Through these initiatives, we deliver essential primary healthcare services such as medical check-ups and treatment for common illnesses. By addressing health challenges, we aim to lay a strong foundation for our beneficiaries’ academic success.
Empowering Girls through Menstrual Health Education
Menstruation is often a taboo topic in many rural African communities, leading to a lack of education and understanding among girls. We are committed to changing this narrative through our S.H.E. Programme. Through the support of our partners, we educate our adolescent beneficiaries about menstruation and its importance, promote healthy menstrual hygiene practices, and provide sustainable and accessible sanitary products. This support is also extended to other girls who are not part of our S.H.E. Programme but are at the schools that we support. By addressing menstrual health challenges, we empower girls to confidently navigate their menstrual cycles, ensuring they can attend school without interruption or discomfort.
Strengthening Community Health Education
We understand that creating lasting change requires a holistic approach. In addition to supporting our beneficiaries and the other girls who are not part of our S.H.E. Programme, we also develop and implement community health education campaigns. These campaigns raise awareness about safe hygiene practices, disease prevention, and reproductive health. By engaging with the community, we aim to break down cultural barriers and create an environment that supports girls’ education and well-being.
Our Desired Impact: Thriving Girls, Barrier-Free Education
Through our comprehensive support, we aim to empower girls to consistently be healthy and in full control of their menstrual cycles once they reach puberty. Our ultimate goal is to create an environment where girls in the rural communities of Zimbabwe and Zambia can thrive academically and personally without any hindrances to their education. We firmly believe that when girls feel better, they can learn better.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024: Advocating for Change
Aligned with the theme of ‘together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,’ we are using World Menstrual Hygiene Day as an opportunity to advocate for change in the communities of Zimbabwe and Zambia. We strongly believe that denying young girls access to proper menstrual products is a violation of their basic human rights. Through raising awareness and promoting access to menstrual products, we aim to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for girls.
Learn how you can Help us achieve our Desired Impact
At Catalyst Foundation, through our S.H.E. Programme’s bespoke support, we address crucial issues such as health, hygiene, and menstrual health, ensuring that girls have the opportunity to unlock their full potential. By providing comprehensive support and advocating for change, we are making a profound impact on girl child education in Africa.
Our mission is to empower girls to become resilient individuals who can confidently shape their own futures. Together, we can create a world where every girl has the opportunity to thrive.
Today, we invite you to make a difference by supporting our S.H.E. Programme’s initiatives to ensure our longevity of promoting menstrual hygiene. Together, we can create a #PeriodFriendlyWorld.
