Add on strength to be strong....

Dec 11- 2019 - Happiness is not the destination, its a journey. On continuing our journey, SWASA conducted fourth day event of "SWECHA -An awareness program on menstrual hygiene" at Jilla parishat high school, Kondubotlapalem village, Bapatla mandal. Unlike earlier events, it was planned by president of SWASA. Right from getting permission from school to the end of the event, he took pain in making it successful. We faced shortage of sanitary napkins to distribute to school children so we brought from three shops to meet number. Around 150 students from all sections involved in program at 3 PM.. Two teachers and headmaster of school assisted the talk too. 

Hall is dark but enlightened eventually with bright eyes and smiles behind those eyes. Initially girls hide their smile on introducing the topic but i felt mesmerized on girls who felt comfortable with discussing about periods. Managing hygiene in right way was the topic that stole the show at first place. Followed by hygiene management our talk travelled towards menstrual cramps. Why menstrual craps occurs and how to manage the pain. I didn't expect almost every girl told that they used to have heavy pain in lower abdomen and hence they used to take leave from school. 

Lack of hygiene devices may not be sole reason for school dropouts or poor attendance, menstrual cramps too hold its place. "In the process of releasing vaginal blood as and uterine wall material body exerts pressure from every direction which leads to cramps, pain in lower abdomens, back pain, headache and even body pains. Just like menstruation in quite natural for every women, menstrual cramps too common. But intensity of pain varies with every women based on their strength to sustain the pain. So, girls we need to make our body strong to sustain from pain. Making yourself strong  is also equally important as managing hygiene to reach your goal. You may experienced menstrual cramps during your exams time too because of which you may score less. These pain must not be reason to drag you from the race. How should we make ourselves strong?!"

"Eat healthy " told by teacher who assisted the meeting. "Yes my young girls, you should take healthy food. Take food which is rich in iron like egg, leafy vegetables, groundnut, dry fruits daily. Follow active life style without being lazy. Eat fruits which are rich in vitamin C as vit C will help in absorption of iron to blood. Imagine a glass frame and a wooden plank of equal dimensions. Place a heavy brick on both the frames. In increasing weight equally on both frames. Which one will break down.?" "Glass frame" all girls answered in union. "So just think how you want your body to be. Glass frame or wooden frame?" i asked while maintaining eye contact with girls in last row. " Wooden frame" voice of girls came out with intense strength. Those words with strength made us stronger. 

We emphasized on healthy diet and hygiene management are keys to success. As the interaction ended, headmaster and teachers too joined their voice with us. Unexpected event was one from students reached dias to give her vision on periods before and after the talk "Even though we went through periods from past few years, we feel shy to talk about periods. For the first time i expressed my fears and doubts regarding periods. We were given most valuable suggestions by you sister. On behalf of all my friends i am hear to tell to that we will follow health and hygiene tips in right way from now on. Especially not using soap to clean, direction of cleaning,  changing pads regularly and taking good food to be strong enough to sustain pain. Thankyou so much sister". 

Still i can remember her each word as it depicts how well she listened to our SWECHA and how nicely she expressed her views in cute words. Smiles on girl student faces and claps at the end of session fills OUR spirt to continue journey. While returning back as it was time to suspend school too, every girl student passing greeted us heartily send off amd asked us to visit again. Such sense of selfness showed by little princess make us overwhelmed with pure joy.

-Dasu Rama Sri Vineela...