Empowering Girls Through the For Her Wellbeing Project

At the Lady Khama Charitable Trust (LKCT), we believe that empowering young women goes beyond academics. It’s about providing them with the tools and support they need to grow into confident, capable adults who can lead fulfilled lives and give back to their communities. This belief is at the heart of our For Her Wellbeing Project, an initiative designed to address the unique challenges faced by vulnerable high school girls in Botswana.

The For Her Wellbeing Project provides monthly hygiene hampers to a group of girls identified as orphans or from vulnerable backgrounds. These hampers contain essential feminine hygiene products and other necessities, allowing the girls to focus on their education without the worry of accessing basic supplies. However, this project is about more than just providing physical resources. Every drop-off is paired with an educational session led by professionals from various fields, including healthcare, mental wellness, financial literacy, and personal development. These sessions offer invaluable knowledge, from stress management and body awareness to career guidance and socio-emotional wellness.

Our aim is to not only meet the immediate needs of these girls but to equip them with lifelong skills. Each month, we welcome experts like gynecologists, dentists, opticians, and life coaches to speak to the girls, making sure they are armed with information that can help them navigate the challenges they face both at school and at home.

One unique aspect of the project is the personal touch that we add to every interaction. For example, each session begins with an icebreaker to make the girls feel more comfortable and to encourage engagement. The professionals we bring in don’t just deliver lectures—they take the time to interact with the girls, answer their questions, and inspire them. These are moments of connection that foster trust and empowerment. During our September session, we extended our outreach to the entire school, with nearly 400 girls in attendance, showcasing the growing impact of this project.

One exciting development we’re exploring is the introduction of menstrual cups as part of the program. We’ve seen a lot of interest, curiosity, and even hesitation from the girls, which is a natural part of navigating a new conversation around menstrual health. By addressing these concerns openly, we’re working toward sustainable solutions that ensure girls have access to essential products that align with their lifestyles and preferences.

Sustainability is key to For Her Wellbeing’s success. We’re proud to have secured enough funding to cover all the girls in the current program for the entire year. Moving forward, our vision is to expand to more schools across Botswana, ensuring that no girl has to miss school or feel limited by a lack of access to hygiene products or information.

Through the For Her Wellbeing Project, we are not only improving the quality of life for vulnerable girls in Botswana but also investing in the future of our country. Each hygiene hamper, each educational session, and each act of kindness is a step toward building a generation of empowered, self-assured women.

We invite you to join us on this journey and support For Her Wellbeing as we continue to create opportunities and a brighter future for these young girls. Together, we can make sure that no girl is left behind.