2018: A Year of Growth
In 2018, G&N took steps to grow its reach in Mukombami by running the first-ever business and entrepreneurship training in Mukombami, which attracted 151 women from Mukombami and the 13 other surrounding villages. G&N also continued to provide girls with free menstrual pads and took the opportunity to formalize its relationship with Mukombami Primary School. The continued partnership between the two organizations means that G&N can provide more programming for the girls.
Programming in Mukombami
My First Period Story Launch
G&N has been building an online platform to end period myths through sharing of period stories by women and girls from Zimbabwe and other African countries. The stories collected so far have been shared on social media platforms and have been made available on The Grace & Nelly project website. The stories will be turned into a comic book for girls and young women and distributed in the English, Shona and Ndebele languages
Provision of sanitary pads and menstrual health education
Grace & Nelly provided a total of 200 primary schools girls (grades 5 to 7) in Mukombami with reusable sanitary pads; towels; and soap. This was accompanied by a presentation on menstrual health and how best to use sanitary pads. To date, the headmistress at the school has indicated very few female students miss school when they are on their periods.
Women in Business
EntrepreneurshipWorkshop
In keeping with Grace & Nelly’s aim to assist women in Mukombami and all of Zimbabwe to achieve financial independence, Grace & Nelly launched the first workshop to bring women in business together with those wishing to start or improve upon their businesses. The first workshop titled, Women in Business: Entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe was held on November 30, 2018, with the attendance of 151 women from in and around the Mukombami area. The Rural District Councillor for Mukombami was in attendance along with the local Headmen from Mukombami and surrounding villages to provide support to the initiative and the women in attendance.