Empowering Conversations with Young Women at Orkeeswa Secondary School

A few weeks ago, Caroline and Hannah had the privilege of sitting in a circle with ten remarkable girls aged 14 to 20 at Orkeeswa Secondary School in Monduli, Tanzania. The focus of the gathering was to discuss menstrual health—an essential but often overlooked topic—and to introduce the upcoming launch of Mwandamo USSD, a mobile platform designed to improve access to menstrual cycle information.

The conversation was rich, open, and deeply inspiring. What struck us most was the depth of knowledge these young women already had. It was clear that Orkeeswa’s Wellness Programme, led by the passionate and dedicated Memusi Saibulu (who also joined the session), is doing incredible work to educate and support students on issues of health and well-being.

These girls spoke candidly about their personal experiences, asked thoughtful questions, and supported each other with compassion and confidence. It was more than a learning session—it was a celebration of shared knowledge, sisterhood, and empowerment.

At a time when so many young women around the world still face stigma and silence around menstruation, it was heartening to witness a space where girls could speak freely and feel seen, heard, and respected.

As we prepare to launch Mwandamo USSD, we are more energized than ever. Seeing how empowered these young women are when equipped with the right information reaffirms our mission. Access to accurate, culturally relevant menstrual health resources is not just a need—it’s a right.

We’re grateful to the Orkeeswa community for their warm welcome and inspired by the leadership of Memusi and her students. The future is bright when young women are informed, confident, and empowered.