The Tribune

By JADE RUSSELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FOR many young girls, getting their first menstrual cycle can be a frightening experience, particularly for those who may not fully understand what is happening to their bodies. It is a moment members of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, hope to make easier as they distribute more than 3,000 feminine hygiene kits to nine primary schools nationwide.

The “Pretty Period Packs” include sanitary napkins, wipes, hand sanitiser and other toiletry items. Over the weekend, dozens of sorority members gathered at T.G Glover’s Professional Development and Research Centre, where the initiative began, to assemble the kits. In total, 3,540 kits were packed—nearly tripling the original goal of 1,908.

Ramona Wells, president of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter in Nassau, said her years as a teacher and her current role in policy development at the Ministry of Education exposed a recurring issue faced by schools.

She explained that guidance counsellors often shared stories of young girls experiencing incidents after starting their menstrual cycle at school, sometimes without proper sanitary supplies readily available.

In some cases, staff members were forced to purchase products themselves, while custodians attempted to remove blood stains from students’ uniforms to prevent embarrassment during the school day.

Mrs Wells told The Tribune the hygiene kit initiative was created when she became the sorority’s programme chairwoman. She said she wanted to introduce an initiative that would empower young girls by providing comfort and dignity as they navigate bodily changes.

The initiative began last September with a pilot distribution at T.G. Glover Primary School. Following its success, several other schools expressed interest in participating in the next rollout.

Mrs Wells recalled a guidance counsellor sharing how one kit assisted a Grade Five student who experienced her first menstrual cycle while at school. She said the student was able to receive support in a discreet and respectful manner.

“The parent was grateful to know that there was support of the school, that there was a package there,” Mrs Wells said, noting the kit resembles a pencil case, allowing the student to receive assistance without drawing attention.

“That level of dignity and not being embarrassed about a journey that's going to happen for all our young women was something we wanted to make sure our girls experience.”

The rollout of the kits is expected to begin today. Primary schools in New Providence set to receive the kits include TA Thompson Primary School, SC McPherson Primary School, Garvin Tynes Primary School, Sybil Strachan Primary School and Palmdale Primary School. Kits will also be distributed to schools in Andros, Grand Bahama and Abaco.

Mrs Wells said many sorority members contributed personal funds to purchase the supplies, noting that many are mothers, sisters and aunts who understand the importance of support and sisterhood. She said members want young girls to know they are not alone.

She added that the chapter also hosts health and wellness sessions aimed at educating women on proper self-care.

Mrs Wells said the sorority continues to prioritise empowering women through education, service and sisterhood. She noted plans are also under way to honour outstanding 12th-grade female students who have demonstrated academic excellence in public and private schools. Those students will also be eligible for scholarships to attend universities abroad.