Corps member distributes free sanitary pads to Zamfara schoolgirls

IT was all smiles on the faces of schoolgirls in Zamfara State, when a youth corps member, Ezugwu Debbie, through her #IMPACTWITHEBUBE campaign, distributed sanitary pads and also provided free eye test and treatment to rural dwellers in Gusau.

In collaboration with NYSC, the Zamfara state government, Nigeria Labour Congress and King Fahad Women and Children Hospital (Eye Clinic), about 500 students, staff and officials were screened, a total of 171 patients were treated for various eye ailments, over 100 sanitary pads were donated to various schools including white chalkboards, drugs, ointment and recommended glasses was provided for both staff, students and rural dwellers in Sarkin, Kudu, Tudu, Wada, all in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State.

She said the initiative came when she visited the community and discovered the challenges being faced by the female students whom she tutors in her primary place of assignment. According to her, the poor rural girls did not have access to sanitary pads; they used clothes, rags as makeshift that usually led to accidental leaking which often exposed them to infections. To worsen the situation, the cost of sanitary pad was too expensive for the parents to help regularly provide for them to stay clean and healthy.

The other initiative, #SAVEYOURSIGHT which involves provision of eye screening/test and treatment helped young children who did not know they were visually impaired (short sightedness, longsightedness, refractive error, conjunctivitis etc), educated them on the need for early detection, care and treatment of their eyes.  As a victim who had undergone surgical treatment for Intra ocular pressure on both eyes, she said her ordeal spurred her to sensitise the public on the need for regular eye check-up and treatment.

The initiative was commended by the Chairman; Nigeria Labour Congress, Mr Bashir Muhammad Mafara and Representative of Zamfara State Government through the Permanent Secretary; Ministry of local government and Chieftaincy Affair, Alhaji Abubakar Bello Furfuri who said the #IMPACTWITHEBUBE is an initiative worthy of emulation and goes a long way in engendering National growth and integration.