By Weswa Ronnie
MANAFWA
Manafwa district local government has launched free sanitary pad skilling center for youth aimed at training over 1000 youths.
The hub was put in place by the district in parternship with THRIVE Uganda, an NGO at Khabutola sub county in Manafwa district.
The center is going to train young mothers and youths on how to make reusable sanitary pads such that they can sell reduce school dropouts especially among young girls.
Mr. Andrew Wafunika, Field officer from THRIVE Uganda told the converged community on Tuesday, 18th August, 2026 that training shall take-off after the registration of the identified 100 members comprising both the youth and young mothers who will be trained in the sanitary pads making and hands-on skills of their choice at a totally free cost.
“No member shall at any one time be required to pay even a coin. This free training is intended for the poor and to help fight hopelessness among people,” he said.
Kosea Kigai Kimono, the LCV chairperson of Manafwa district says pad making skills will improve on menstrual hygiene, a factor hampering girl child education in Manafwa
He urged all the young mothers and youths to embrace this such that they can get skills and self-employ themselves.
Reverend Michael Peter Musingo of Khabutoola Church of Uganda where the hub has been located implored the women and youth to collectively participate in the free skilling campaign brought by Thrive Uganda.
“School dropout should not become drop out from life. Let’s use this chance from Thrive Uganda and get any skill of your choice and reclaim hope in your life so that we can all be resourceful to the families we come from”. Rev. Musingo said.
Ms Junic Khwaka, the Sub county Chief for Khabutoola Sub County in Manafwa district on the other hand, decried the harmful use of the environment. She commended Thrive UG for helping to shape the cooking mindset by developing cooking briquettes that are locally made from wastes, rather than destructive practices like deforestation and charcoal burning.
“Our own human activities have spoiled nature! Talk of deforestation, stone quarrying and charcoal burning. I was keenly watching when Mr Andrew Wafunika (Field officer, Thrive UG) was lighting the cooking briquette which is made through local waste and I am greatly impressed. Am told it cooks for more than seven hours when lit. Thank you Thrive Uganda for helping to protect nature and also for creating a Hub that will bring free training skills to our people”. Ms Junic Khwaka said.
Peace Kituyi, a senior three student from Bumatola 1 village in Khabutoola Sub County revealed that many school going girls in her locality drop out of school due to poor menstrual hygiene leading to shame and later get married off.
“I lose morale whenever I see school girls drop out of school due to poor menstrual hygiene. Most of them develop fear after realizing public menstruation. Most girls don’t afford the cost of pads here especially those from struggling families”. She said.
Daphine Mukite and Irene Malongo both residents of Khabutoola Parish who of the many discussed skills of training that Thrive Uganda shall avail, have already picked interest in making pads, they said they will develop from the sewing skills they already have in making local table cloths. They see the opportunity of making pads as a business venture for their career development.
