Why don’t girls go to school?

The Creation of our Positive Periods Programme - giving girls access to education

The Steve Sinnott Foundation was invited to The Gambia by Marie Antoinette Corr, the General Secretary of The Gambia Teachers Union, to find out why girls were not going to school and what we could do about it. 


We found that girls are missing 48 days a year from school and many of them were dropping out of school altogether as they cannot afford period protection and they do not have adequate toilet and washing facilities at their schools.

 

We decided to take action immediately. We carried out a pilot project which led us to a sustainable and replicable solution, the ‘Positive Periods Programme’. A training programme which teaches girls and women about menstrual health, and how to make their own sanitary pads.

 

These pads needed to be locally made using locally sourced materials, affordable, sustainable, reusable and washable, yet long lasting, comfortable and very importantly eco-friendly.

 

The pilot highlighted the need for a flexible program that could be adapted for each country or area to take into account cultural differences, different types of pads to suite different body types and fashions, variations in training facilities, and to be adaptable to teach hand sewing where sewing machines are not available. We learned that menstruation is seen as a scary and secret subject, so education around women’s health was essential.


Educators from The Gambia, shared this training with their colleagues in Sierra Leone. To date this work has enabled over 60,000 girls to go to school and participate in daily life – and that’s just in The Gambia and Sierra Leone. The teachers tell us “it is a life changer for women and girls in The Gambia.”



We have now taken this programme to Cuba where they have adapted it and made it their own. Grandmothers are training their granddaughters, and they are running the programme by WhatsApp and Zoom in response to Covid restrictions. They have shared this training with 20 different women's groups across Cuba this year already. The teachers in Malawi and Uganda are ready to start the training as soon as it is possible.

 

Think how much more could be achieved if with your help we can roll this program out to the countries who have requested this training, Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa, Guyana, Cambodia, Nepal, Haiti and even the UK.

 

Talking about the issue of periods is still taboo. Our challenge is to change that. Let’s talk about periods and manage them in a better and more sustainable way. Let’s stop it being a secret, shameful experience. Let’s ensure that girls have the health knowledge that they need to manage their periods and their lives.

 

Our program has worked, help us to get it to more women. We need you to make this happen.


In our shop we have ‘The Gift of Positive Periods’ so you can donate directly to this cause and send this digital gift to a friend.


Give The Gift of Positive Periods
Steve Sinnott • May 6, 2021

UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

By Ann Beatty • September 25, 2026
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.

What happens when creativity, young people, education and community come together?

By Ann Beatty • August 25, 2026
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.