In many households the subject of menstruation is considered strictly taboo. These myths which have been passed down from generation to generation hold very little knowledge about the actual biological process of menstruation. This lack of factual information, often results in the girls’ practical needs related to managing their menstruation, not being appropriately addressed. Many of the girls are also not in a position to afford sanitary towels, so in order to avoid the embarrassment of soiled clothes, they find inappropriate methods to manage their menstruation, such as the use of tissue paper, newspaper or even torn pieces of mattress, or in most cases they stay away from school for days at a time.

Part of Violet’s curriculum incorporates educating the girls about menstruation, raising awareness about HIV and the importance of disease prevention. Our aim is to educate these female pupils, so that we can reduce absenteeism and increase academic performance resulting in more opportunities for African girls.

The CED project will soon begin a sponsorship drive, with the hope that UK businesses will help us acquire the product that these young girls so desperately need.

Dovetailing with Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth, the CED project also aims to highlight the benefits and shared visions, which are a result of being part of the Commonwealth.  It will unite the countries and entrepreneurs taking part, with flags being raised in Kenya on Monday 13 March, Commonwealth Day, as part of a shared celebration across the globe, which will also see many local UK authorities raise their own Commonwealth flags at 10.00am.

Bruno Peek says.

“I am amazed how quickly this event has caught the public imagination in the UK and around the Commonwealth. We are only in our third year, and the involvement of the Army Cadet Force and Nwes this year, along with the participation of so many people of all ages and from all walks of life shows the enormous potential of this project and of the Commonwealth. It is a positive and uplifting way for people to link with and assist fellow citizens of the Commonwealth in a family that spans across oceans and continents. There is a real sense of promise and hope for the future in this current troubled world of ours.”

Nwes Special Projects Manager, Caron Lemmer says.

“The CED project is pleased to be working in partnership with Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth.  With a shared vision to support the 52 member countries, we are excited to see how the project will develop and what impact these new entrepreneurs will have across the globe.”

The team behind the Commonwealth Entrepreneur Development Project would like to hear from other organisations who are interested in supporting the project.

For more information about the project and how you can get involved, please contact us.