Creating Safe Spaces for Girls to Stay Healthy and Stay in School
The MDRT Project at Rogge Goro School
For many girls in Ethiopia, a monthly period can become a barrier to education.
Without access to safe and private spaces to manage menstrual health, many girls struggle to maintain hygiene, feel uncomfortable at school, or miss classes altogether. Something as natural as menstruation should never prevent a girl from learning.
This July, GFoundation will launch the MDRT Project at Rogge Goro School in Sebeta, Shager City, Oromia, Ethiopia. Made possible through the generous support of the MDRT Foundation, the project aims to create a safe, dignified, and supportive menstrual health room where girls can care for themselves and continue their education with confidence.
Why Do Girls Need a Safe Menstrual Health Room?
A safe learning environment goes beyond classrooms and textbooks.
For adolescent girls, access to a clean and private space during menstruation plays an important role in their health, well-being, and ability to stay engaged in school.
The MDRT Project will renovate an existing room into a welcoming menstrual health space where girls can:
- Rest comfortably when needed
- Maintain personal hygiene in privacy
- Access essential menstrual health supplies
- Return to class with greater confidence
Rather than constructing a new building, the project focuses on improving an existing space with durable materials, shelves, cleaning equipment, and practical supplies that will support students throughout the school year.
To help ensure long-term sustainability, GFoundation will work closely with school leadership and WASH focal persons to oversee implementation, manage supplies responsibly, and document project progress through regular monitoring and reporting.
Why Was Rogge Goro School Selected?
Rogge Goro School was selected because it has demonstrated strong leadership and a lasting commitment to school health and hygiene.
The school has successfully managed previous WASH initiatives, supported by dedicated school leaders and an active student-led WASH Club that continues to promote healthy practices throughout the campus.
Among the ten schools participating in GFoundation’s school WASH program, Rogge Goro was recognized for its commitment to improving health and hygiene.
Despite these strengths, the school still lacks a dedicated space where girls can safely manage their menstrual health. Addressing this gap will help create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for every student.
A Small Space That Can Make a Big Difference
Although this project focuses on a single room, its impact reaches much further.
A safe menstrual health room can help girls feel more comfortable attending school, reduce barriers to learning, and foster greater confidence during adolescence.
The project also strengthens collaboration among teachers, school administrators, WASH focal persons, and students, helping ensure that the space remains clean, functional, and accessible long after the renovation is complete.
Looking Beyond One School
The MDRT Project will be implemented over four months, with continued monitoring and reporting for up to six months to evaluate its progress and sustainability.
Rogge Goro School is the first beneficiary of this initiative, but the need extends well beyond one campus.
Across the ten schools currently supported through GFoundation’s WASH program, many still lack appropriate facilities for girls during menstruation. Expanding this model could help many more students stay healthy, stay confident, and remain engaged in their education.
Investing in Girls’ Health and Education
Every girl deserves to attend school without worrying about where she can safely manage her period.
By supporting projects like the MDRT Project, donors are helping create school environments where girls can learn with dignity, confidence, and opportunity.
Together, we can help more girls stay healthy, stay in school, and build brighter futures.
Support Girls’ Menstrual Health Today
Together, we can ensure that no girl has to miss school or hide her period because of poverty.
| Donate for Better Hygiene
- Become a Monthly Donor – Help provide ongoing access to hygiene essentials, including menstrual products, so girls can stay healthy, confident, and continue learning without interruption.
- Make a One-Time Gift – Support the distribution of hygiene kits, including soap and menstrual care supplies, for students in underserved schools.
