In the quiet village of Dakompilayiri, nestled within the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region, a 13-year-old fifth-grade student named Khadijatu Bawuma has embarked on a remarkable journey—one driven by determination and necessity.
Khadijatu, a young girl with big dreams, found herself facing a difficult choice that would temporarily put her education on hold. Her reason? To secure funds for something many take for granted—sanitary pads.
Living with her 68-year-old paternal grandmother, life has not been easy for Khadijatu. She explained in an interview with Myjoyonline.com that her decision to pause her schooling was born out of the need to prevent the recurring embarrassment she faced due to a lack of sanitary pads.
“I don’t have anybody to help me financially. At first, it was my grandmother, but now, she says she doesn’t have,” Khadijatu shared. “So, she (grandmother) asks that I use a piece of cloth, but I can’t wear it and go to school with it. Because from experience, it will disgrace me again.”
This young girl’s commitment to her education is clear, and her determination to overcome this obstacle shines through. “So, anytime my flow is due, I stay away from school, and now, I’m tired of doing that because friends are all aware and some even gave me names. But once I’m here on the farm with my grandmother, our focus is to get money to enable me to buy enough pads and fend for ourselves,” she said.
Khadijatu’s grandmother, Felicia Bawumah, painted a poignant picture of their challenging circumstances. The teenager’s biological mother left her when she was just four years old, and her father moved to the southern region nine years ago, never to return. As a widow and without the support of her children, Felicia found herself unable to provide sanitary pads for her granddaughter.
“See how weak I am with this young one. What else can I do; I don’t have a husband,” Felicia expressed. “I’m a widow, and my children are not here too. So, she is here with me on the farm because she started having her monthly flow and said she wouldn’t wear clothes. But me too I can’t afford the pads.”
But every dark cloud has a silver lining, and in this case, it’s the kindness of the community and the generosity of individuals who stepped in to help.
Upon learning of Khadijatu’s situation, a retired educationist and the chief of Dakompilayiri and Kunkuya, Eku-Ewilawura Amos Seidu, paid a visit to their farm and made an undisclosed financial donation to Khadijatu through her grandmother to assist her in obtaining the necessary sanitary pads.
“She needs to get back to school. At least, she can buy sanitary pads that might last for two months or so,” Chief Amos Seidu emphasized. “I’ll also try and visit you anytime I come to the community, but use the money very well.”
As part of this intervention, Chief Amos Seidu generously donated a beehive enclosure and arranged for Khadijatu and her grandmother to receive training in beekeeping. They were joined by 60 other women in this program, aimed at helping them establish a business and boost their income.
Khadijatu’s dreams of becoming a professional nurse or teacher remain intact. Her story reminds us of the determination and resilience that can be found in even the most challenging circumstances, as well as the power of communities coming together to support those in need.
Khadijatu’s journey is far from over, but with the support of her community and individuals like Chief Amos Seidu, she is taking steps towards a brighter future—one where her dreams can become a reality. Her story serves as an inspiration and a reminder of the importance of ensuring that every child has access to education and the basic necessities they need to succeed.
Source: GESHub.org
