Fathiah's Journey to Confidence

Before the NeedBe Foundation arrived at Adaklu Waya Junior High School, the topic of menstruation was heavily shrouded in mystery and stigma. For 14-year-old Fathiah, it was a source of constant anxiety. "I thought something was fundamentally wrong with me," she recalls. "When my period started, I hid it from everyone. The fear of leaking and being bullied meant I missed three days of school every single month."

Fathiah is not alone. In many rural communities across Ghana, lack of access to sanitary products and comprehensive menstrual education leads to significant drops in school attendance and performance among adolescent girls.

A Transforming Workshop

When the NeedBe team visited Fathiah’s school, everything changed. Through interactive and empathetic workshops, our educators shattered long-held myths. "They taught us about menstruation in a way that just made sense. They explained the biology behind it, showing us that periods are a normal, natural, and beautiful sign of growing up—not a curse or something to be ashamed of."

During the program, Fathiah and her classmates were introduced to reusable sanitary pads. Not only were they taught how to use and care for them appropriately, but they also learned how to sew their own pads at home using basic, locally available materials.

Confidence Restored

"The provision of the Obaa reusable pads was a game changer for me," Fathiah beamed. "Now I feel confident and proud. I go to school every day, even when I am menstruating. I talk to my friends and even the boys in my class about menstruation without feeling embarrassed."

Fathiah's newfound confidence didn't stop at the classroom door. She has taken it upon herself to become a peer educator in her community. She now actively mentors younger girls, including her 11-year-old sister, preparing them for the changes their bodies will experience.

The Ripple Effect

Fathiah's story encapsulates the very essence of why the NeedBe Foundation exists. When you empower a girl with knowledge and the right resources, you do not just keep her in school; you transform her into an agent of change within her community.

"Thank you, NeedBe, for giving me back my confidence, my dignity, and my education," she says. As Fathiah looks toward the future, she stands as a testament to the power of breaking the silence.