31.3.17

Volunteering in UGANDA//

+256 Youth Platform

Before leaving Uganda last year, I was certain I would be back. Within two months I had returned. An opportunity bloomed after speaking with Dad. My Father had a charity sponsoring children effected by the genocide in Rwanda which he set up a few years after I was born. Growing up we often had visitors from foreign lands stay with us, so perhaps it wasn't surprising then that I would grow up with a curiosity for travel and a belief that the world is somehow accessible. My first flight was in fact to Kigali age 17, I photographed a trip, returning again age 21 where I ended up doing my first bit of public speaking.  This time I was 26 and I had just flipped my conventional life on its head. The idea was to visit Uganda again for research around their work on menstruation, followed by a trip to speak to women and girls in Rwanda. 

This felt like I regular day in the life I had always wanted to live. 

So grateful for the voice inside me that led me down this road, dared me to take took a chance, to tap out of the 'conventional' life and live a different one. Growing up femme have examples of any other life than the goal of getting a man, a house and some kids. 

I felt the most at peace during my time in Uganda, more at peace than my days spent living more conventionally. Granted I didn't have the same responsibilities now but I felt much better living a simpler life. I was ready to return for this project, to undertake some research and a chance for some personal development stretching that comfort zone, seeds for growth later on.

I made arrangements with Medie, +256 Youth Platform's Founder, who I'd now consider a friend. He hosted me and invited me in to see what goes on behind the scenes for a few weeks. 

The group is set up, supported and run by young people - all volunteering their time for free. Initially it was set up as an alternative space for young people to connect, an alternative to getting involved with gang violence. Using music, art and education, community members can build confidence through activities and building connections. In turn they can get support from the community in running their own events, clean-ups, and reach out to the public about things that are important to them - menstrual health, how to make reusable pads, wellbeing and harm reduction.

There was a strong sense of family, a bond among members and project leaders that I hadn’t felt in other places before. I attempted to get my head around how this organisation worked. There were shared values for a harm reduction approach, a passion to support folk, build empowerment and raising the voice of young people. There was a necessity for people to be here, trauma bonding perhaps but connections none the less.

Motivated to improve things for themselves and their community, young people meet together and connect through; dance, rap, boxing and kick boxing and studying. Through these interpersonal relationships confidence is built and a sense of self esteem blooms. This is huge. This is youth energy. It is our life force. It is the difference between giving up and showing up for yourself one last time. Seeing community breed in a place like this is fruitful. Yet there is a reminder everyday of lack, of scarcity mindset and needing to ensure every mouth gets fed. Reality is never far.

It was incredible to witness this potent energy and words will never do it justice. 

Medie arranged a few meetings for us to visit, organisations that worked in the field of menstruation. I was reminded about periods advocacy, how the shame and stigma associated with periods is perpetuated from not using the right terminology. In talking about it openly and involving men in the conversation the topic can become normalised rather than a taboo.  Schools and elders in the community generally don't feel able to speak about menstruation which continues today here in the west too. Here were examples of these feminist men and boys alongside sisters, furthering their knowledge in how to make reusable pads so that they can better support their communities. They are the real deal!

In Rwanda I was in contact with friends of my Fathers charity. I was to create a dialogue with women and girls about periods to see if they faced similar challenges to those in Uganda. I found myself surrounded by groups of different aged females and would begin by asking them to share their experiences with me 'how did you learn about periods?'. It wouldn't ever be long before someone shared an anecdote of finding out when they got their period, or they heard horror stories of never ending blood from older sisters, friends.  And how, for many, no body told them.

I had an interpreter with me whilst speaking to a group of women who were learning how to sew to make their own money. The stories often went beyond menstruation. As we began to speak more broadly the conversation moved onto local traditions, pregnancy and sexual violence.

I wondered how we ended up here, thinking we'd just be discussing periods. I didn't realise the seriousness of gender-based violence and had even I overlooked my own experiences as normalised behaviour.

The stories were often the same. No one really teaches anyone about periods. Now I teach about decolonising menstruation - how epic is that. We don’t actually cover much around actual periods, it’s more about all of the nuances. It actually is a humongous topic. It was also reflective of the messages that femmes around the world receive, or rather not. Not having any education around menstruation and no one sitting anybody down to speak about sex/boundaries/consent implies that it isn’t important. Early intervention and education allows people to make informed decisions and empowers them avoid predators and perpetrators by listening to their gut when something doesn’t feel good. Knowing your worth. Respect.

Discussions always highlighted that if we speak openly about these things there would be a reduction of negative experiences, individuals would feel a sense of body autonomy rather than being someone else’s property.

There was a sense these were only womens issue. 

In Uganda I met Benjamin, 18, who said when he has spare money he buys pads to 'share with my sisters at school'. This would became a story I continue to tell. Benjamin was able to consider the needs of his peers simply because he was aware of them.

Gaining support from men could lead to less negative impacts associated with periods? Perhaps more consideration could allow access to menstrual products for all who menstruate, support with pain, with missing school or work - some sort of reasonable adjustments. Maybe, just maybe, in asking ourselves why periods are perceived as taboo or seen as ‘gross’ or ‘disgusting’ then we would be able to dismantle those self-limiting beliefs forced on us by the patriarchy.

I passed on the information I had picked up to a group of 5 girls at the high school in Kayonza. I should them how to make a reusable pad out of an old t-shirt. I strongly invited them to experiment and be innovative and creative when passing on to others. I had imposter syndrome. How had I ended up here having these conversations.