Freedom To Learn - Phase II
Project Overview
Title: Freedom to Learn – Phase II
Duration: May 2025 - September 2025
Geographical Coverage: Six primary schools (Mchoka, Nthabva, Kamwiri, Mphetsankhuli, and Kaphulika in the Kabuthu Education Zone, and Kadakatali in the Kabudula Education Zone) within the Traditional Authority Kabudula, Lilongwe District, Malawi.
Funding Partners: Family Foundation
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
5 (Gender Equality); 3 (Good Health and Well-Being); 10 (Reduced Inequalities); 4 (Quality Education); 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
Total Direct Beneficiaries: 5,102
Mchoka – 740 students, Nyhabva – 780 students,
Kamwiri – 800 students, Mphetsankhuli – 1046 students,
Kaphulika – 1028 students, Kadakatali – 708 students
Ultimate Goal & Vision
Freedom to Learn envisions a world where no girl misses school because of her period. The project’s ultimate goal is to ensure that all girls, regardless of income, location, or social stigma, can manage menstruation with dignity and confidence. By breaking down the barriers that periods pose to education, Freedom to Learn is helping build a future where girls lead, learn, and thrive.
Project Description
Building on the successes of the past two years worth of Green Schools Network programming, CPAR has recently secured additional funding to expand and enhance project outcomes.
These new funds will enable the following:
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Construction of a 30,000L rainwater harvesting tank at Kamwiri Primary School.
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Construction of eight additional double-door VIP latrines across the four schools supported by the GSN in 2024–2025: Kamwiri, Mphetsankhuli, Kadakatali, and Kaphulika.
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Implementation of a more robust and comprehensive Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) program at all six schools supported through the GSN from 2023–2025: Kamwiri, Mphetsankhuli, Kadakatali, Kaphulika, Mchoka, and Nthabza.
The MHM program will include the provision of 12 sewing machines, fabric, and more comprehensive MHM training based on the Ministry of Health’s approved curriculum. Training will cover the creation of menstrual hygiene products and will include the development of guides and quick reference materials. Once trained, students will produce reusable hygiene products for use within their own schools and potentially for distribution to other schools in the area.
CPAR Malawi’s experience implementing GSN programming and piloting innovative MHM initiatives has informed this scale-up. In 2022, CPAR Malawi received funding from the Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT), administered by the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation and funded by Global Affairs Canada, to pilot an intergenerational MHM project in selected GSN schools.
The project addressed MHM-related stigma, improved girl’s school attendance, and involved boys, parents, teachers, and community leaders in inclusive dialogue.
Key Results from the pilot included:
01
A reduction in girls missing 1–3 days of school per month from 18% to 8%.
02
A reduction in 3–5 day absences from 63% to 6%.
03
Zero cases of absences longer than 5 days (down from 21%).
The project’s outcomes were captured in an academic publication: “Evaluation of knowledge, attitude, practices and effectiveness of menstrual hygiene interventions in rural schools from Lilongwe, Malawi” – BMC Public Health.
Although the MHM curriculum was developed with the Ministry of Education’s support, widespread implementation has been limited due to budget constraints. This new funding allows CPAR to revisit and expand the initiative using an intergenerational approach, grounded in the success of the original pilot.
Get Involved!
You can help keep girls in school and break the stigma around menstruation:
✅ Donate – Support the continued production and distribution of reusable menstrual products.
✅ Partner – Work with CPAR to scale up this innovation across other schools and regions.
✅ Advocate – Share the message, challenge taboos, and promote period equity in your community.
✅ Stay Informed – Follow us on social media to see how your support changes lives.
Let’s build a future where periods don’t pause potential.