More than 100 girls at St. Josephine Primary School have received essential hygiene kits from Malteser International, aimed at supporting their health and improving school attendance. The initiative is funded by Aktion Deutschland Hilft and KLAUSER.
Speaking during the distribution event, Josephine Nackeny, the WASH Officer at Malteser International, said the reusable hygiene kits are designed to last up to one year and will help adolescent girls manage their menstrual health with dignity and consistency.
“These kits will not only help the girls maintain proper hygiene but will also reduce school absenteeism and improve their academic performance,” said Nackeny.
Each hygiene kit includes reusable sanitary pads, washing soap, Dettol liquid soap, and other essential hygiene items. The current phase of the project targets girls in Primary 7 and 8, recognizing their age-related needs.
Nackeny also highlighted that Malteser International supports additional programs at the school, including school feeding and broader WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) interventions.
“With support from Aktion Deutschland Hilft and KLAUSER, this project is currently limited to St. Josephine Primary School,” she said. “However, we hope to expand to other Catholic schools next year.”
She called on donors to continue supporting such initiatives to help ensure that all children—especially girls—can stay in school and contribute to building a better South Sudan.
Among the beneficiaries was Rita Francis, a Primary 8 pupil, who expressed her gratitude and urged her classmates to use the kits responsibly.
“All these items were bought with money,” Rita said. “It would be shameful if we take them and don’t use them. They’re meant to help us—not end up in the dustbin.”
Julia Franco, another beneficiary, echoed her appreciation and emphasized the importance of both the hygiene kits and the school feeding program in helping her attend school regularly.
Malteser International, a Catholic humanitarian organization, continues to play a key role in supporting education, girls’ empowerment, and health initiatives in Juba through its WASH and school-based programs.