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Health educator says Hygiene during menstruation is very important as it helps prevent various infections. Photo: Courtesy
By Adonis Byemelwa
Shinyanga.
The
Grumeti Fund, through its Community Development Department, recently organized
a two-day symposium bringing together 688 female and 671 male students from
Issenye, Nagusi, and Rigicha Secondary Schools in Serengeti District. The
objective was to foster a culture of collaboration and equality among young
people of both genders, ultimately building a more inclusive society.
Speaking
at the event, which took place at Issenye Secondary School, the Head of the
Community Development Department at Grumeti Fund, Ms. Frida Mollel, urged the
students to focus on essential matters in their journey toward realizing their
dreams. She emphasized the importance of putting God first in everything,
noting that this would be the foundation of their success.
"Let’s
leave behind things that do not benefit us and give priority to what truly
matters. We waste time on unproductive things and abandon those that could help
us by imitating behaviors that aren't part of our culture. In this way, we
won’t move forward unless God intervenes. I want to encourage you that it’s not
too late; you still have a chance to become dependable individuals for your
families if you work hard and trust in God," said Ms. Frida.
She
also encouraged the students to reject foreign customs that contradict their
values and to stand firm in their decisions, as this would prevent them from
falling into the temptations brought by globalization.
In
addition to the symposium, the Grumeti Fund provided sports equipment,
including balls and jerseys, to all three participating schools for the male
students. They also donated reusable sanitary pads worth TZS 10,320,000/- to
the 688 female students from Issenye, Nagusi, and Rigicha Secondary Schools,
which can be used for up to one and a half years.
Ms.
Pelesia Manyama, the Secretary of the Teachers’ Union and the guest of honor
for the girls' session, urged the female students to recognize their worth and
set clear life goals to avoid future challenges. She encouraged them to rely on
God to overcome difficulties and avoid negative influences.
"Make
God your protector in every challenge you face. Let me tell you, if you fear
God, you will avoid many evils. Even we are where we are today because we
invested in fearing God, and we still rely on Him. Without God, the world and
its desires will consume you. To succeed in your studies, work hard and
cultivate the fear of God," said Ms. Manyama. She also advised them to
steer clear of harmful friendships and distractions.
Restuda
Murutta, a health educator from Kisare College of Health, also attended the
symposium and provided sexual health education to female students. She stressed
the importance of hygiene during menstruation and encouraged the proper use of
the sanitary pads provided by the Grumeti Fund. Ms. Restuda also warned against
engaging in sexual relationships at a young age, which could lead to early
marriages.
"Hygiene
during menstruation is very important as it helps prevent various infections.
It is also concerning that girls under the age of 18 are already engaging in
sexual relationships, which is unsafe. Before getting involved in such things,
ask yourself if it is the right time," she said.
Meanwhile,
Pastor Emmanuel Samuel Sitta, who was the guest of honor for the boys' session
and serves as the youth pastor at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania,
urged the male students to understand their role as men created by God.
"I
want to tell you, for us to be safe as boys, we must build a community that
fears God. Nowadays, there is a growing trend of boys wanting to do things
associated with girls, and this is because many young people lack the fear of
God. You need to understand that God created you as a man, and you are supposed
to do what is meant for men," Pastor Sitta said.
Both
the male and female students expressed their gratitude to the Grumeti Fund for
its ongoing commitment to supporting youth and promoting gender equality. They
pledged to apply what they had learned and share the knowledge with others.
For
nearly seven years, the Grumeti Fund has been providing gender education to
secondary school students in the Serengeti and Bunda districts. Since 2017, the
organization has educated 12,085 girls and provided them with sanitary pads,
while more than 6,945 boys have received training since 2021. The fund has also
provided sports jerseys and balls to each school that participates in these
events.