The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust and MacBevan Fund are helping children like Mildred turn their lives around by enabling them to access the education they deserve.

Mildred is a 13 year old girl in class 7 at Nyadhi primary school, one of the Ace CtC schools. She was orphaned at a very tender age when both her parents died of HIV/AIDS complications in 2001 and 2002 respectively.

Unfortunately Mildred dropped out of school in 2012 after an embarrassing situation involving her period left her traumatised and bullied at school. Her poor grandmother was not in the situation to provide her with sanitary pads since providing a meal for the family proved a constant challenge. Mildred’s teachers intervened and referred Mildred for counselling. After the counselling session Mildred agreed to go back to school after a 2 month break although was shy and withdrawn and improvising various ways to prevent similar situations occurring.

Mildred’s plight was raised with Ace. She has undergone counselling and psychosocial support from an Ace counsellor. With the support of ALMT Mildred was identified and enlisted for support with sanitary pads and school uniform. She has been receiving sanitary pads and panties every month and will for the next  year. She has also been provided with school uniform. Through our Ace CtC Club she has been trained on life skills, kitchen gardening, poultry keeping to enable her to sell the surplus for her scholastic need and a way of ensuring sustainability.

 Outcome of the intervention.

• Mildred is regularly attending school, and she hardly misses her classes.
• She is never withdrawn and shy; she actively participates in class, sports and interacts with other peers.
• She has become an active member of the Ace CtC club and has acquired the necessary skills to enable her venture in child friendly income generating activities. She has established an active kitchen garden at home
• Her performance has improved by appearing in the top 10 in her class. She has been promoted to the next class (class seven)“……..During my menses I used to stay at home because I was afraid that rags would get soaked with blood , am happy to participate in all school activities now without any fear…Mildred”.

Ace Africa are grateful to The Angus Lawson Memorial Trust and MacBevan Fund for supporting our programme to get vulnerable children into school in rural Kenya through provision of sanitary pads and school uniform.