Positive Periods workshops start in Haiti
Despite the recent challenges in Haiti at the moment we have been able to progress with our Positive Periods workshops, thanks to a truly amazing team there, undaunted by the current events which you can read about here.
Stelandie Jean-François, is the young woman in charge. She started the session introducing the materials they will be using and the patterns that they will use to create their own re-usable pads. Her students have no experience sowing so they will be learning this skill also. They are very excited to be getting hands on experience making period pads that will help them live a fuller life, and come to school every day.
In the meantime, the school nurses are drafting the training modules that they will be using for the next phase, the educational sessions. This will ensure that girls and young women know more about menstruation and female health. This supports them to better manage and understand their menstrual health and wellbeing.
After this workshop has been delivered, staff can be trained on the workshop, and how to deliver it in their respective schools. This way the knowledge is cascaded through to the wider community.
The feedback we have had so far:
“I am really happy with the team and I am happy I agreed to collaborate on this project.”
“From the day I started, the first thing I wanted to do was motivate them because I know nothing gets done without motivation. After getting the result I wanted I said I got it right.”
“I would also like to thank the entire team for thinking of me to move the project forward, and a big thank you to the Steve Sinnott Foundation for choosing us to launch the program in Haiti.”
We would like to offer our heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the team in Haiti who have been able to go ahead with the workshop, despite the current challenges.
Steve Sinnott • July 23, 2021
Thierry Léonard Hilaire is an intern from Lycée Françias in Port-au-Prince who came to teach the students coding and robotics. We will start with a group of 20 since we have 4 kits, then we can expand to other students. He sets up the lab in the learning resource centre to make it happen. The learning resource centre provide educators and communities access to meeting space and learning resources such as books and computers. They foster connection and innovation through learning.
Gambia Teachers Union (GTU) and The Steve Sinnott Foundation empower Latrikunda School with a Digital Classroom. Through the support of The Steve Sinnott Foundation, the Gambia Teachers' Union has significantly contributed to advancing education at Latrikunda Sabiji Upper and Senior Secondary School. Through this generous support, the school has received 15 brandnew computers, a SMART TV, and an air conditioner, all aimed at enhancing the integration of technology into teaching and learning. This support is part of The Steve Sinnott Foundation’s ongoing drive to establish inclusive learning through digital connectivity globally, ensuring that students and teachers have access to modern digital tools for enhanced teaching and learning experiences. As part of this initiative, the Foundation has already successfully set up digital classrooms at Nema Kuta Upper Basic & Senior Secondary School (Kiang Central, Lower River Region), St. Martin’s Basic Cycle School (Kartong), Methodist Centre for Learning Difficulties (Kanifing), and St. George’s Upper Basic & Senior Secondary School (Region 6, Basse). The addition of Latrikunda Sabiji Upper and Senior Secondary School to this list marks another milestone in bridging the digital divide and transforming education in The Gambia. Speaking on behalf of the student body, the Head Girl of Latrikunda School shared: “This donation is a game-changer for us. Having access to these computers and the SMART TV means we can do more research, learn new skills, and engage with lessons in ways we never could before. It’s about opening doors to a brighter future. We are truly grateful to GTU and The Steve Sinnott Foundation for investing in our Education.” Representing the Regional Education Directorate, the Cluster Monitor also emphasized the significance of this support: "Education in the 21st century must embrace technology, and this donation is a major step forward in that direction. The provision of these ICT resources will undoubtedly enhance digital literacy, improve lesson delivery and give both teachers and students the tools they need to excel." This is just one of the partnership initiatives that the GTU and the Foundation are working on in the Gambia. We are looking forward to widening the reach of the Counselling Skills for educators’ training and distributing bicycles to students in the rural areas later in the year.
The Steve Sinnott Learning Resource Centre is being used every day. 302 students and teachers use the resource here every week: 1st grade to High School students take at least 2 hours of computer classes and English, the virtual lab is used for high schoolers for chemistry and physics, our 82 pre schoolers also use the lab for audio visual English and Lakou Kajou educational materials. All the other extracurricular activities (sewing, crafts, culinary arts, dance, painting) benefit 85 students. 23 Community youths and 8 VSLA Community Supervisors take online English and computer courses on Saturdays and Sundays. In total 350 beneficiaries every week benefit from the resources. Gender Based Violence and Positive Periods Training: We had a surprise visit in March from Jean Jean Roosevelt, the well-known Haitian Canadian artist, in support of our GBV campaign. JJR is also a UNICEF Ambassador, he had a special program for just our boys to share their opinions about GBV. They wrote a paragraph on how it is affecting them personally and their communities and what message they can share to stop GBV. Several boys were able to come up onto the stage to perform and he arranged everything into a music video that will be released shortly. He is visiting several schools to record boys' voices about GBV issues, and the best song will win the contest. I hope we do. Gender Based Violence Awareness Campaign: Steve Sinnott Foundation, Sonje Ayiti, SosPsy and SAGE SERVICES. In March we dedicated a campaign called Violence Basée sur le Genre (VBG) to women's rights and the fight for equality The Steve Sinnott Foundation, Sonje Ayiti, SosPsy and SAGE SERVICES launched a joint awareness campaign to combat Gender-Based Violence (VBG). This initiative aims to educate, prevent and mobilize the community against all forms of gender-related violence, whether physical, psychological, economic or social. Through workshops, inspiring testimonials and awareness sessions, these structures are committed to: - Breaking the silence surrounding the VBGs. - Strengthen access to resources and support services for survivors. - Promote a culture of respect and fairness in all areas (home, work, school, church, etc.) ). “Every act of awareness is a step towards a fairer society. Together, let's denounce violence and support the voices of the victims," the coalition states. How to participate? It's simple! Share our awareness posts on social networks with the hashtag #NoToVBG. An awareness session against VBG: On March 0 9 2025 as part of the campaign to raise awareness against Gender Based Violence, Sonje Ayiti, SAGE SERVICES and SOS PSY Haiti continued their actions in Ba-Fossé, in the Evangelical Church of Light and Life. Many thanks to all the partners who support this initiative: The Steve Sinnott Foundation , CECE, LHDRadio, Radio Francophonie. A special thank you to the Soroptimists International Foundation for match funding GBV and Positive Periods training this month. Together we continue to work towards sustainable change! Soroptimist International Foundation is pleased to support the Steve Sinnott Foundation’s ‘Ensuring Girls’ Equitable Access to Education’ project, which tackles period poverty and violence —key barriers to girls' education. The initiative will train women and girls to produce reusable period pads, promote menstrual hygiene, and educate communities to challenge harmful myths. It also empowers school leaders to address violence against girls and advocate for equal education opportunities. With £16,000 in funding, Soroptimist International Foundation is helping drive lasting change in Haiti and Nepal, ensuring more girls can stay in school and thrive.
