What our health workshops make possible

Health, Education, Self-Determination

What happens when a 13-year-old becomes pregnant—or when a girl falls behind in class simply because she can’t see the blackboard? Education is no longer a given. Our health workshops tackle these very barriers, creating the conditions that make learning possible. That’s why we’re continuing—and expanding—the program in 2025.

This year physician Chisomo Tumeo and his medical assistant will visit two schools each month, each session lasting a full day. Around 1,000 girls are expected to take part, though experience shows the number often runs higher. Word spreads quickly that these workshops offer more than health facts—they open doors to a different future.

Students listen intently as Chisomo Tumeo teaches.

What’s proven and what’s new

The program still includes ear and eye screenings with the mobile diagnostic kit we supplied last year. For many girls it’s the first time they’ve held a smartphone, let alone used it to peer inside their own ear. Vision checks with an eye chart help identify problems early; those with hearing or sight issues can then sit where they can follow lessons more easily.

New and established topics include:

Challenges of adolescent pregnancy
Menstrual hygiene, with the distribution of three reusable cloth pads per girl, produced by our partner Kibébé Limited in Malawi
Early marriage and child marriage prevention
Educational opportunities for young women
Mental health and coping with multiple responsibilities
Gender-based violence and protection strategies

When education becomes empowerment

Chisomo Tumeo shares vital health knowledge with the girls.

This year the team places even more emphasis on individual questions—from traditional healing practices to managing stress when you’re already caring for a child, running a household, and trying to stay in school. Gender-based violence remains a pressing issue, and in some villages the team now holds separate parent meetings to involve the wider community.

Small budget, lasting impact

While the focus is health, the goal is self-determination – giving girls the chance to pursue an education and see that other paths are possible, whether through scholarships, training opportunities, or simply the courage to set boundaries.

The program runs on a flat rate of €100 per workshop day, with the largest expense the cloth pads at roughly $4 each—a modest investment for such transformative results.

The effects may not appear overnight, but they endure: better classroom participation, growing confidence, and sometimes the first career ambitions spoken aloud.

Ear examination in progress during a health workshop.

Photo credit: Chisomo Tumeo

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