The addition of the LETS project to our Girl Impact project will drive the programme to implement a project that will entirely focus on sexual reproductive health rights within our focus communities and targeted groups, where we have already established partnerships. The overview of the LETS program states that it is a revolutionary education initiative aimed at empowering families in crises worldwide by addressing the universal root cause of poverty and abuse, unplanned and unwanted children born into a household that cannot support them. This is already in line with what has already been implemented on the ground, and the addition of these LETS will be an added advantage to the individuals and the community.
Through the LETS curriculum, we will implement reproductive health and basic health and well-being training to empower women and girls to make more informed choices in these areas. The LETS initiative will introduce workshops solely devoted to sexual reproductive health within our focus communities and targeted groups where we already have partnerships in place.
I am convinced that by the end of this programme, I will be able to make more sound decisions on childbearing matters and pass the knowledge to my partner in order to better our living standards as a family.
We are going into our 6th week of LETS with our beneficiaries and there is already a positive impact on participants’ lives. Participation numbers have risen steadily each passing week, from 6 participants in the first week to 19 participants in the 6th week. This is indicative of progress toward our Gender Equality program. The participants are eager to gain more understanding and information on reproductive health and the tools to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
Memory shares how the program is impacting her life. 29-year-old Memory grew up in Livingstone and is a dedicated member and participant in the newly introduced LETS program and has also been part of the women’s group programme.
‘’I had my first child at the age of 17 as a result of early marriage. At the time, I lacked knowledge on so many issues to do with Sexual Reproductive Health and because of this, I had 4 children without the proper child spacing that is required for both mother and child to live a healthy life. Looking after the children has also been financially challenging.
I feel that my life and perspective on Family planning methods have changed greatly ever since I joined the LETS programme, I am now knowledgeable about ways on how to observe changes in my body and monthly cycle in order to prevent unplanned pregnancies. I am also thankful and excited about the fact that the LETS programme is focused on the natural method of family planning because this is a much healthier option for the body. I am convinced that by the end of this programme, I will be able to make more sound decisions on childbearing matters and pass the knowledge to my partner in order to better our living standards as a family. ‘’