By Mary Aperika
At the Nangodi Junior High School in the Nabdam District of the Upper East Region, many young girls have faced challenges attending classes due to lack of sanitary pads during menstruation.
This has created significant concern among parents, teachers, and the community.
Recently, Cida Ferreira, the Founder of Pilates Studio Accra, based in Accra, took it upon herself to help address this challenge.
She provided the students with sanitary pads to support them stay clean and healthy during menstruation, a wellness initiative that combines fitness with community support. She also held a Pilates session with the kids, the first of its kind in the northern part of the country.
“I have heard stories of how young girls in this part of the country get pregnant and drop out of school in their attempt to access sanitary pads during menstruation. It doesn’t make sense to give out your body in exchange for sanitary pads. You can imagine bleeding for a week without sanitary pads. That’s unhealthy and unpardonable,” Cida Ferreira cried.
With support from family and friends in the United Kingdom, Ferreira was able to support more than three hundred young girls in the Nangodi JHS/Primary pupils with two packs of sanitary pads each.
“I have a daughter, and I can’t imagine her missing classes because of the lack of sanitary pads during her menstrual period. So I decided to put this together to help the young girls stay in school. It will last for only two months, but it can make a difference in their lives, I think,” Ferreira stressed.
The headmaster of Nangodi Junior High, Mr. Edward Dok, expressed gratitude for the support from Cida and expressed confidence that the girls will have no excuse to absent themselves from school whenever they are menstruating.
The Queen Mother of Nangodi Traditional Area, Madam Prisca Yenzie, expressed her gratitude for Cida’s assistance and the positive changes it has brought to the community.
The residents of Nangodi, including a beneficiary, Pibil Clementina, are excited about these initiatives and are open to further support from individuals and NGOs to help the community thrive for a better future.
Pilates for young children is a modified form of Pilates that focuses on developing body awareness, balance, coordination, and flexibility in a fun and engaging way. It helps children improve posture, build core strength, and enhance concentration through gentle, controlled movements. Pilates can also support healthy physical development, improve motor skills, and instill positive movement habits that contribute to long-term well-being. It is a safe, low-impact activity suitable for children of various fitness levels.
