8. August 2025
Background
Oborso Primary School, located in the Walabu Lita District of the East Borena Zone, is one of 16 schools selected for Phase IV of the Mainstreaming Blue Schools Project of Caritas Switzerland in Ethiopia. The school currently has a total of 1,410 students (704 male and 706 female) and is located just 1 kilometre from the district town of Oborso, and approximately 160 kilometres from the zonal town. Despite its location, the school has long faced challenges related to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, particularly in the area of menstrual health and hygiene (MHH).
Due to these challenges, Oborso Primary School was identified as a high-priority site by government officials, a decision later confirmed by Caritas Switzerland (CACH) through a rapid assessment and focus group discussions (FGDs) with teachers, students, and Parent-Teacher-Student Associations (PTSAs) during a direct field visit.
The Gender Club and Its MHH Activities
Recognizing the urgency, Caritas Switzerland prioritized the school under Phase IV of its intervention, focusing on a system-strengthening approach to create sustainable, school-led WASH and MHH solutions.
First, the school’s existing, inactive gender club was revitalized. Then Caritas Switzerland organized a targeted training for selected gender club members. Three teachers and five students were chosen based on leadership potential and received a two-day training on menstrual hygiene, health implications of poor practices, and how to challenge stigma and silence around menstruation. Knowledge was later transferred to all students and teachers through the trainees.
During the training, participants discussed school-level challenges, including students missing school during their menstrual cycles due to lack of menstrual products, inadequate private toilets, and social taboos. A key component of the training was also how to sustainably generate income to support MHH needs. Inspired by the training, they developed a practical and comprehensive action plan.
Their first step was to reorganize the gender club by appointing motivated student leaders and supportive teachers. The second was to build upon income-generating activities that had previously been attempted but lacked direction. The third goal was to create multiple income streams to support the purchase of menstrual pads and hygiene kits for students.
One of the major strategies was introducing a voluntary monthly contribution system. Students from grades 5 to 8 were encouraged to contribute 10 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) each month (equal to 0.068CHF). Contributions were entirely optional for students who couldn’t afford to pay; those students were never pressured or stigmatized.
Alongside student contributions, the gender club established a small business initiative by selling shop items such as biscuits, exercise books, chewing gums, bottle soft drinks/juices, candies, pens, soap, and menstrual pads within the school. To launch this effort, the club borrowed goods worth 10,000 ETB (68.4 CHF) from local shop owners on the agreement that the items would be repaid after sales. This trust-based model worked well: profits were made, debts repaid, and funds reinvested into further business cycles.
The club also launched a more innovative income-generating initiative by buying an ox for fattening at the school and resale. The plan was to care for the ox until it reached market weight, then sell it for a profit to fund MHH-related costs.
Another key initiative was an annual MHH awareness and fundraising event. This event became one of the most successful fundraising strategies. Students and teachers organized the event, which featured cultural performances, traditional food stalls, poetry, and drama. Government officials from offices such as Education, Health, and Women and Children’s Affairs were invited, strengthening support and visibility. During the latest event or this year on May 14, 2025, the school raised 27,000 ETB (184.9 CHF), which was used to buy menstrual kits and restock shop items. The event also boosted the gender club’s profile and deepened community trust and engagement.
Thanks to these combined efforts, the gender club at Oborso Primary School now operates a sustainable income model. The club currently holds 76,000 ETB in net savings (558 USD) or 520 CHF and owns the ox, valued at 70,000 ETB (479.4 CHF). These resources are used to regularly purchase menstrual pads, soap, and underwear for girls during menstruation. Every month, menstrual hygiene kits are distributed for free to all menstruating students – approximately 20% of the female students.
The school has become a model of best practice within the district. Neighboring schools, including Mandicho primary school, have learned from Oborso’s experience and have begun to replicate its strategies..
Voices from the School
The School Director, Mr. Guyasa Haile, expressed his gratitude, saying,
Dhaabbanni Kaaritas Iswiizerlaandii bakka nuti rafnee jiru nu dammakse,” meaning, “Caritas Switzerland awakened us from where we were sleeping.”
Similarly, the Gender Club leader/teacher, Mrs. Almaz Megersa, praised the organization, stating,
The organization provided an injection, just like a physician gives to a patient to cure illness.”
She proudly noted that the school was now equipped with a dedicated MHH room, furnished with mattresses, bedsheets, pillows, soap, underwear, and menstrual pads. She emphasized that awareness around MHH had grown significantly, and the dropout rate linked to poor menstrual hygiene had markedly decreased. Moreover, student Zeniya Abdullah mentioned that menstruation is becoming a normalized topic in the school, and both boy and girl students can openly discuss and support adolescent girls. She also noted that menstruating girls are treated with care in the MHH room, where they receive counselling and hygiene kits. Zeniya expressed her gratitude to Caritas Switzerland for the effort in promoting menstrual health education and awareness.
Engagement of CACH
Caritas Switzerland continues to support Oborso Primary School by offering technical guidance, conducting periodic follow-ups, and organizing refresher trainings. This ongoing involvement ensures the momentum is maintained and allows for continuous improvements where needed.
The collaborative approach engaging students, teachers, parents, government offices, and local businesses has shown that addressing MHH is not only achievable but also sustainable when led by the school and community. The focus on inclusive participation and local ownership has proven critical in addressing the deeply rooted challenges of menstrual health and hygiene in a sustainable way.