This year, too, we met with all the volunteers to share experiences and discuss current challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A key issue was the often long and challenging journey to the schools and tea plantations. Transporting the projector, laptop and information materials can sometimes be very demanding. We have therefore decided that, when arranging appointments with schools and plantations, the volunteers should actively request support with transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the journey to some locations takes up to two and a half hours, the awareness-raising events in larger towns will in future be held in clusters. Volunteers can offer their courses over three consecutive days and, if necessary, stay overnight locally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is encouraging that Cyril has expanded the project to the Nuwara Eliya district. To this end, two additional staff members have been recruited who live directly in the region and support the work on the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Together, we also discussed the further development of the programme. In future, the topics of children\u2019s rights and women\u2019s rights are to be integrated more closely. Our volunteers will receive appropriate additional training for this purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Particularly moving were the visits to women\u2019s groups that have emerged from the \u2018Menstruation: A Taboo Topic\u2019 project. The participants described how much their knowledge and self-confidence have changed. They are convinced that this will bring about a lasting improvement in the future of many girls and women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is one small downside, however: whilst the government has provided free sanitary towels for all girls for a year, it has not given sufficient consideration to waste disposal. In the mountainous regions of Sri Lanka, there is hardly any organised waste collection. Waste is usually burnt or buried \u2013 both of which harm the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That is why we continue to raise awareness of the benefits of reusable cloth sanitary pads. They prevent unnecessary waste and make an important contribution to environmental protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t