From a union leader to a real changemaker

From a union leader to a real changemaker: A teacher union leaders’ journey to combating absenteeism amongst girls through sustained menstrual health solutions in Ghana schools

Governments and society in general focus on the seemingly big and more conspicuous issues when it comes to eliminating all forms of discrimination in education, but lurking behind these issues is a silent barrier that is preventing many young girls from taking full advantage of the free compulsory education being offered by the government of Ghana.


In the bustling classrooms of Ghanaian schools, menstruation and its associated stigma and lack of access to proper menstrual health solutions is causing lots of adolescent girls to absent themselves from schools during that time of the month thereby losing very important learning time. When one looks at the cumulative loss of learning hours over a period of a year and even throughout the school going age of the girl, it becomes more evident that the girl is at a disadvantage if she doesn’t have access to period products.


I was hit by this reality when I chanced upon some girls chatting. I heard how some of them used papers from discarded cement paper bags and iced water rubbers etc. as pads. I was not only shocked but began to imagine how unhealthy this was and the possibility of infections. I started to dig deeper into the issue and realized that girls absenting themselves from school was the least of the consequences; some girls get pregnant in their bid to access money from boys or men to purchase period pads.


One period pad in Ghana costs more than the daily minimum wage thereby making it very expensive for most families to be able to buy pads for their girls. Determined to make a difference, I began looking for a solution that would enable girls to manage their periods with dignity and ease; allowing them to attend school regularly was the way to go.


Linking up with the Steve Sinnott Foundation through the General Secretary of the Gambian Teachers Union (Mrs. Antoinette Corr) has been a breath of fresh air. The support from the foundation has helped to put our ideas into action and has given the girls confidence that they can have their periods and go to school at the same time.


NAGRAT, with the help of The Steve Sinnott Foundation, set out to teach female teachers and girls in Ho (Volta region of Ghana) about menstrual health, learn to make re-usable period pads and talk safely about school related gender base violence (SRGBV), but we got more than that. The experience has ignited a fire in us as union leaders to give as much attention to the needs of the learners (especially girls) as we do for our colleagues.


As I write this article, I am reflecting on all that could have gone wrong for me when I was a young girl having come face to face with the reality of our girls today.


The team was pleasantly surprised at the immediate impact of our intervention on the participants and the rippling effect it would have on them, their siblings, neighbours and future children. As we talked with the girls and answered their numerous questions three comments in particular caused me to think and to reflect.


  • “Why is this not taught in school”
  • “My mother will be happy to see this because she will not
  • have to credit pads for me again”.
  • “I wish all the girls in my class were here”.


The team invited teachers and students from ten schools but from the second day twenty-one schools were participating. This gives a clear indication of the widespread need for this intervention and obviously how important it is to reach out to other communities. The second and third day of training witnessed the participants’ unwillingness to go on breaks because they were so engrossed in the sessions. As I conclude this write up, I am thinking about what we could have achieved if we had stepped into this much earlier bearing in mind the powerful effect that teachers have on their learners.


Bigraphy


Rebecca Ocran Abaidoo is the Gender coordinator (National Association of Graduate Teachers) Ghana, has been a teacher since 1997, and a union leader at regional and national levels since 2009.


BY REBECCA OCRAN ABAIDOO • June 10, 2024

Empowering Student Voices: Young Ambassadors Champion Inclusive Education for All

By Ann Beatty • October 13, 2025
In our continued commitment to ensuring quality and inclusive education for every child, we’ve taken our advocacy to a new level by empowering the next generation to lead the conversation. In partnership with The Gambia Teachers Union, we recently convened the Foundation’s Young Ambassadors for a vibrant day of engagement dedicated to promoting the right to education for all. The event brought together passionate students from selected senior secondary schools across Region One, including St. John’s School for the Deaf, to explore what it truly means to make education inclusive, equitable, and accessible to every learner. 

Seeds of Hope 2025: Young People Planting Peace and Sustainability Around the World

By Ann Beatty • October 3, 2025
The Steve Sinnott Foundation is proud to celebrate the inspirational winners of the 2025 Seeds of Hope for a Better Future competition, a global initiative supported by UNESCO that brings together creativity, community, and a shared commitment to peace and sustainability. This unique project invited schools across the world from nursery and primary through to secondary and high school to explore the values of peace, cultural understanding, and care for the planet. In the face of climate change, young people were asked to tell their stories through art, performance, and digital creativity, highlighting how small seeds of action can grow into powerful movements for hope. The results have been extraordinary. Schools in France, the UK, Gambia, Haiti, and Kenya have been recognised for their outstanding contributions, with projects ranging from community gardens and sculptures to dance performances and illustrated stories. Each winner has shown how young voices and imagination can nurture peace and sustainability in ways that inspire us all. The full Awards Ceremony can be watched linked here: S eeds of Hope For A Better Future Awards Ceremony 2025 Highlights from the Winners Oak View Primary and Nursery School (UK) created Faces of Feeling, a collection of joyful sculptures already exhibited in a local gallery. Judges praised their work as supporting the wellbeing of others and embodying the idea of children as true “Seeds of Hope.” St Joseph’s Senior Secondary School (Gambia) painted Campaign for a Sustainable Banjul , reflecting real-world climate action in their city. The judges described it as “a most deserving and robust winner.” In France , the Jardin d'Enfants des Nations Unies (United Nations Nursery School) won hearts with Wind of Peace , where 5-6 year olds combined drawings, paintings, and tree planting to champion reforestation. Lyng Hall Secondary School, Coventry (UK) collaborated with Henley Green Primary and the UK Literacy Association to produce The Heart Shaped Hole – an innovative and metaphorical take on Seeds of Hope. Earlsdon Primary School, Coventry (UK) impressed with Primary Plot , a project that included gardening with the visually impaired, reflecting inclusivity and sustainability. A remarkable cross-collaboration between 21 schools across West Yorkshire, Essex, and Tower Hamlets (UK) resulted in Lights, Camera, Score , an ambitious combination of animation, music, and storytelling. CIMA Community School of Hope, Haiti shared Konbit - a video of dance and solidarity, inspiring villages to work together for peace and dignity. Daraja Academy, Kenya presented an ambitious and optimistic project integrating sustainability into everyday school life. Celebrating Creativity and Peace This year’s competition was judged by an impressive panel of artists, writers, and cultural leaders including Sir Antony Gormley, Edmund de Waal, Dame Liz Forgan, Hugh Quarshie, and Rathna Ramanathan. Their collective expertise highlighted the quality and depth of the entries, each of which showed how art can be a powerful tool for global understanding and change. The Seeds of Hope initiative is part of UNESCO UK’s Arts and Culture for Peace programme, first launched in 2022. It has grown from earlier collaborations such as the Coventry Young Ambassadors’ Islands of Peace Japanese Garden , opened in 2021 a living reminder that seeds planted in communities can continue to flourish. Highlights from the ceremony can be found here at this playlist Looking Ahead As Ann Beatty, UNESCO ASPnet UK National Coordinator , shared: “The quality of entries was extraordinary. We are delighted at the response to this amazing initiative in collaboration with our international partners.” And in the words of judge Jannette Cheong : “Young people around the world understand well the value of peace and tolerant relationships between cultures. Their creativity is an inspiration to all of us.” At The Steve Sinnott Foundation, we believe that education is the seed from which hope grows. The Seeds of Hope competition is a shining example of how young people through creativity, compassion, and collaboration are already shaping a more peaceful and sustainable future. You can access the full online awards presentation here: Seeds of Hope For A Better Future Awards Ceremony 2025

Teachers Advance in Guidance and Counselling Training in The Gambia

By Ann Beatty • August 18, 2025
The journey to strengthen the well-being and success of learners in The Gambia continues with a renewed commitment to guidance and counselling in schools. By August 14th 2025, we have successfully trained 140 educators across 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑 & 𝟒 under our Guidance & Counselling Programme. A programme designed to equip educators with the skills to support students’ academic, social, and emotional development. Region 3 Teachers Complete Level 2 Training On Wednesday, 6th August, thirty teachers from Region 3 (North Bank Region) began a three-day Level 2 Guidance and Counselling training at the Christian Council in Kanifing. This programme built on their earlier Level 1 training in Farafenni, with a focus on deepening their capacity to serve as school-based counsellors. The training concluded with a certificate presentation ceremony, recognising the teachers’ commitment and marking an important step in their professional development. These certificates symbolize more than an achievement; they represent each teacher’s readiness to provide psychosocial support, guidance, and mentorship to learners across their schools.