Books in the hands of moms, babies and toddlers!

Research has shown that early exposure to books shared with a loving caregiver creates the foundation for successful reading!

WEEMA International, in partnership with Reach Out and Read, is piloting an innovative program with our women's groups.  Four Self Help Groups (SHGs) each received a box of 20 different colorful board books selected with care for the local context. Each member takes home a book every week and engages with her children at home by reading together- pointing, interacting over the photos and drawings, etc. She then swaps for a new book the following week. After 20 weeks, the groups will exchange boxes with another SHG group.

The women are thrilled about this program. WEEMA will continuing working to get books in the hands of moms, babies and toddlers.

Enjoy the video below to see these books in action!

Pad distribution and hygiene packages change lives!

Primary and middle school students celebrate with their new menstrual kits!

Two weeks ago WEEMA International, in partnership with Studio Samuel, distributed 400 reusable sanitary pads at Samura Primary and Middle School and left an additional 200 for future students. This distribution was accompanied by presentations, led by peer mentors, on how to use the pads as well as general information about hygiene and menstrual management.

Evidence shows that lack of access to menstrual supplies (and knowledge!) leads to girls' school absenteeism and drop-out.  One female student explained how these pads will transform her school life:

"I want to thank WEEMA for giving us this reusable pads so that we can focus on our education. It's been a problem for me to focus on  school activities during menstruation because of fear, pain and embarrassment. I didn't come to school during menstruation but now that I have this materials with me, it won't be a problem anymore."

In addition to the pad distribution, we'd like to send a big shout out to Cindy and her supporters for spearheading hygiene packages for boys. Her packages included underwear, toothbrushes, soap and toilet paper for over 200 students.  Gratitude!

Saruma school boys pick up their hygiene packages from Cindy and her daughter.

This demonstration taught 400 girls how to use and wash their reusable pads and maintain proper hygiene.

Lesley University writes children's books for WEEMA!

Students in the Lesley University School of Education teamed up to write books for children in Ethiopia.

Four teams each wrote and illustrated an original story, focusing on aspects of daily life familiar to children in Ethiopia. The books centered around themes ranging from coffee and birds to Vervet monkeys and enset (a plant native to Ethiopia and referred to as false banana).

Books will be printed in local languages and distributed to kindergartens and primary schools in 2018!