In an inspiring joint effort to
empower young girls and enhance their access to education and health rights,
Smile for Community and the Legal Services Facility (LSF) have taken a
significant step forward. As organizers of the esteemed Run for Binti Marathon,
they have successfully provided Nanyamba and Chawi secondary schools in the
Nanyamba Town Council with modern toilet facilities, equipped with 12 stalls.
Additionally, they have distributed 2,500 sanitary pads to female students and
planting trees, marking a pivotal moment in the collective endeavor initiated
through last year’s marathon.
The Run for Binti Marathon is
held annually and is now entering its third year. The previous year's event,
which took place in July, was organized with the aim of gathering resources and
efforts to ensure girls can experience safe menstruation and to enhance school
infrastructure. This includes the availability of safe toilets and water,
essential for protecting and improving the school environment for students.
Following the successful completion of the renovations and construction of
these facilities, the toilets have been upgraded with the installation of
pipes, handwashing sinks, and the addition of a special changing room for
girls. In line with the project's inclusive approach, the boys' toilets have
also received significant upgrades.
Ms. Flora Njelekela, Director of
Smile for Community, reflected on the mission’s core during the handover
ceremony, stating, "Launching the Run for Binti Marathon was driven by our
desire to protect and empower the girl child, ensuring her right to safe
menstruation and an environment that fosters educational success. Recognizing
the critical importance of proper sanitation facilities for the health and
well-being of our students, we embarked on this project. By building these
toilets and distributing sanitary pads, we aim to create a learning environment
that is not only safe but also conducive to overcoming health challenges and
the stigma associated with menstruation. We are filled with joy to see the
tangible impacts of last year's marathon enabling positive changes in these
schools. We encourage our teachers and students to maintain these facilities
meticulously to ensure their durability and effectiveness."
Jane Matinde, Manager of
Partnerships and Communications at LSF, added, "For over a decade, LSF has
been dedicated to facilitating access to fundamental rights, including
education and health. This commitment led us to partner with Smile Community in
organizing and coordinating these marathons on an annual basis. We invite a
broad spectrum of stakeholders to join hands in this endeavor."
The upcoming marathon, scheduled
for May 25, is a call to action for stakeholders and individuals alike to come
together and extend their support, aiming to impact more schools and students
positively. Added Matinde
Jane Matinde, the Legal Services
Facility's (LSF) Manager for Partnerships and Communications, expressed,
"LSF has been steadfast in its mission to promote access to justice and
rights for over 12 years, focusing significantly on the right to quality
education and healthcare. This mission underscores our collaboration with Smile
Community in the yearly organizing and coordinating of the Run for Binti
Marathon, and it highlights our call to action for additional stakeholders to
support us. We are immensely proud of our achievements in advancing the welfare
and protection of girls in both health and education."
"Building on the momentum
from last year's marathon, I am thrilled to announce that we are preparing for
this year's event, scheduled for May 25th. We eagerly invite stakeholders and
individuals alike to join forces with us, reinforcing our collective impact
with the goal of extending our reach to more schools and a larger number of students,"
Matinde further elaborated.
Sefu Nayembe, speaking on behalf
of the Mtwara District Commissioner, expressed gratitude towards LSF and Smile
Community for their dedication and hard work. "The distribution of
sanitary pads and the improvement of student sanitation facilities, including
the installation of a changing room for girls, are monumental steps towards
ensuring our students can study comfortably during their menstrual cycles and
excel academically. We urge the community to support these efforts, mirroring
the dedication shown by these stakeholders today."
Faima Abdallah, representing the
student body, shared her appreciation, saying, "Thanks to LSF and Smile
for Community, we now have better sanitation facilities and access to sanitary
pads, which are essential for our health and well-being during menstruation.
This support is invaluable in helping us pursue our educational goals without
unnecessary barriers."
The 2023 Run for Binti Marathon
was supported by generous sponsors including Isuzu, SGA security, Total
Energies, Water for People, and Afya Water,
as well as 500 individual runners. This year Marathon is scheduled for May
25 in Dar es Salaam with an aims to
raise funds for further infrastructural improvements, provision of sanitary pads
to schools, construction of water wells, tree planting, environmental
conservation, and delivery of health and rights education to schools in
underserved regions.
About Legal Services Facility
(LSF): LSF is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting access to
justice for all, with a special focus on empowering women, girls, and
marginalized communities to assert their rights. For more information, please
visit the LSF website.