Author name: Mmesoma Ani

Date: May 29, 2026 Location: Three Secondary Schools, Anambra State. World Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed globally every year on the 28th of May, but for Pink Health Foundation, the celebration doesn’t stop at a single day or a single venue. On the 29th of May, 2026, the Foundation took the conversation where it matters most: directly into the classrooms. In a heartfelt and impactful outreach initiative, Pink Health Foundation visited ‘three girls’ secondary schools  across Anambra State , bringing education, encouragement, and practical menstrual health resources to hundreds of young girls who needed to hear exactly this message. The Schools The outreach covered three schools: – Uga  Girls’ Secondary School – Igbo-ukwu Girls’ Secondary School – Urban Girls’ Secondary School At each stop, the team gathered the female students together and created a safe, open, and engaging space for conversations that many of these girls had perhaps never had before — conversations about their bodies, their health, their worth, and their future. What Was Shared Menstrual Health and Hygiene Calculating Your Menstrual Cycle One of the most practically valuable parts of the session was led by a volunteer who walked the students through ‘how to calculate their menstrual cycle’ , how to track it, understand their cycle length, and know what to expect and when. For many of the girls, this was their first time learning this, and the room was fully attentive. The team started with the foundation: what menstruation is, why it happens, and what every girl needs to know as her body grows and changes. There was no shame, no awkwardness , just honest, clear, and age-appropriate education delivered with warmth. From there, the session moved into practical guidance on how to maintain good hygiene during menstruation, what products to use, how to use them correctly, and how to stay clean and comfortable throughout the menstrual week.  Puberty and Growing Up The team also addressed the broader experience of growing up as a girl , the physical and emotional changes that come with puberty, what to expect, and how to navigate it all with confidence rather than confusion or fear.  Dreaming Far and Staying Focused The sessions weren’t just about health  but  about ‘the whole girl’. The volunteers spoke passionately about the importance of focus, ambition, and independence. The girls were encouraged to dream as big as they could imagine, to plan their futures with intention, and to build themselves into women who stand on their own feet. The message was clear: nothing ; not distraction, not pressure, not circumstance should be allowed to derail the bright future each of them carries. Independence and Self-Worth The girls were also reminded of their value. They were encouraged to protect their futures, to understand the worth of their dreams, and to never trade what they are becoming for anything that seems appealing in the short term. Real independence, they were told, comes from investing in yourself.  Moments That Mattered After the talks, the floor was opened for questions and the students showed up. Hands went up, questions poured in, and a real conversation unfolded. It was lively, it was genuine, and it was exactly what these moments are made for. Memories were made, laughter was shared, and pictures were taken to mark the day.  A Generous Gift: Pads Donated by Her Excellency Perhaps one of the most touching highlights of the outreach was the distribution of sanitary pads donated by Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Nonye Soludo, wife of the Executive Governor of Anambra State. The pads were distributed across all three schools among the female students, ensuring that the girls didn’t just leave with knowledge , they left with something tangible in their hands to support their menstrual health journey.  It was a powerful expression of solidarity from a woman in a position of influence to the next generation of women finding their footing — and it did not go unnoticed.  More Than an Outreach What happened on the 29th of May across those three schools was more than a scheduled visit. It was a reminder that the girl child deserves access to health information, to honest conversations, and to people who believe in her potential. Pink Health Foundation showed up , not just with words, but with presence, resources, and genuine care.  To every student who attended, who asked a question, who listened, who laughed, and who left a little more informed and a little more confident: this was for you.  And to the schools, the volunteers, and Her Excellency Dr. (Mrs.) Nonye Soludo for her generous contribution , thank you for making this possible.   The work continues. The girl child matters. And Pink Health Foundation will keep showing up. To see the captured beautiful moments of the day in pictures, view the last 50 pictures in Our Gallery. #PeriodFriendlyWorld | #PeriodFriendlyAnambra | #WorldMenstrualHygieneDay | #PinkHealthFoundation