Mr. & Miss EQUSaT Champion Girl Empowerment At St. Matthew Kyasuma Primary School
By Ndagire Hafiswa Mbuga
MBChB year 2
Students of Equator University of Science and Technology (EQUSaT), led by the reigning Mr. and Ms. EQUSaT, embarked on a life-changing outreach to St. Matthew Kyasuma Primary School, where they distributed sanitary pads and scholastic materials to young girls.
The outreach took place on July 11, 2025, in Masaka City, in partnership with the GLO GIRL Initiative, an organisation committed to empowering girls and women to thrive, create positive change, and unlock their full potential.
Speaking to The EQUSaT Post, Nakawombe Bridget, the Miss EQUSaT 2025, revealed that the charity event was aimed at empowering the girls of St. Matthew Kyasuma Primary School through career guidance and mental health awareness.
"Our aim was to empower them, show them that they can, and support them with the little that we had. We all know that girls are often affected by so many challenges, including their natural biological transitions, which sometimes result in them dropping out of school. To curb this, we provided them with sanitary pads, menstrual hygiene education, and mental health awareness,” Nakawombe said.
Under the theme “Mental Health Awareness, Girl Empowerment, Career Guidance, and Menstrual Hygiene Education,” the outreach began in the afternoon as students gathered to receive reusable pad packages brought by EQUSaT and the GLO GIRL Initiative with great enthusiasm.
Ndagire Hafiswa Mbuga, a passionate advocate for mental wellness, kicked off the education session with a powerful talk on mental health. Titled “Your Mind is Your Power,” Ndagire urged the pupils to be mindful of their thoughts and reminded them that, “Your thoughts shape your reality.”
She encouraged them to speak openly about their struggles, seek help when overwhelmed, and believe in their self-worth. She also shared practical tips on managing emotions, coping with stress, and the value of positive self-talk, all tailored in a simple, relatable way for the young audience.
Other charismatic speakers at the session, Amoding Mercy and Hanifah Muhammad Ali, took the stage next with a vibrant and interactive session on career guidance. They introduced students to a world beyond the classroom, igniting curiosity through real-life stories of doctors, engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
“You can be anything—but first, you have to dream it and work towards it,” Mercy and Hanifah emphasized, urging pupils to remain focused, disciplined, and inquisitive. The duo stressed the importance of education, reading widely, and never giving up on one's dreams and goals.
Mr. EQUSaT, Awopetu Michael and Kafeero Timothy then spoke to the pupils about the dangers of drug abuse, early sexual activity, and other risky behaviour. They addressed the influence of peer pressure with honesty and sensitivity, striking a chord with the learners.
Omotayo Mariam and Mummy T from the GLO GIRL Initiative led an impactful session on menstrual hygiene, equipping the girls with accurate knowledge and helping dismantle the myths and stigma surrounding menstruation.
Miss EQUSaT, then led a practical demonstration on how to use reusable menstrual pads, explaining their advantages in sustainability, comfort, and dignity.
Following the educational sessions, the team distributed packages comprising reusable pads, scholastic materials, and refreshing drinks—adding colour and joy to the day.
A lively question-and-answer session, conducted by Jessica from the GLO GIRL Initiative, brought the outreach to a close. Participants shared camera flashlights to help keep the memories of the day alive.
The event was also graced by several dignitaries, including HE. Sengendo Sharif Senoga, EQUSaT Guild President; Tayebwa Ashraf; Kafeero Timothy; Mariam Omotayo; Namanya Bruce; Hisani Solihi; AbdulMajeed Alkali; Kajwete Khaira; Abdullahi Kabir; Ahmad Muhammad Ali; and other team members from the GLO GIRL Initiative.
