The 2023/24 Miss Tourism Mawokota Queen Beatrice Nakayemba also known as “Wakanda”  has set her eye onto the well being of a girl child and women in Mawokota county and Uganda through a charity innovation.

 

Set to officially launch her Charity Organization incorporated in the name “Miss Tourism Mawokota (MTM) Foundation”, this October on 4^th 2024 in Mawokota, Nakayemba is envisioned to change the girl child’s standards of living through life skills, advocacy for an end onto early childhood marriages and pregnancies, violence against women in different walks of life.

However, MTM Foundation’s major focus is on Menstrual Hygiene Management, an ideation based on the misery caused by menstrual mismanagement.

The foundation aims at addressing the physical, emotional, and social aspects of menstrual health and hygiene, ultimately promoting dignity, equality, and well-being of girls and women.

In her an interview with us, Nakayemba’s Vision, Mission, aims and long-term objectives speak volumes despite her age.

“ Through MTM Foundation, our Vision is a world where periods are a symbol of strength, not shame, and every individual can thrive.”

Our mission is clear. Educating, empowering, and innovating to make menstrual health and hygiene a reality for all.” Beatrice Nakayemba Miss Tourism Mawokota (MTM) Foundation director said.

“At MTM Foundation, our aims and objectives are advocating for the provision of affordable or free menstrual products, such as pads, tampons, or menstrual cups, soap, underwear, cheap clean and safe water to  all school going children and those adults in need.

We also focus on educating individuals, communities, and schools about menstrual health, hygiene, and management.

This foundation is looking forward to break the stigmas and Taboos cropped in communities.

Challenging cultural and societal stigmas surrounding menstruation to promote openness and acceptance.

Advocating for and installing sanitary facilities, such as toilets and changing rooms, in schools and public spaces.

Supporting Vulnerable Groups: Targeting assistance to marginalized communities, refugees, and those affected by poverty or conflict.

Advocacy and Policy Change: Influencing policy and legislation to address menstrual health and hygiene needs.

Research and Innovation: Developing innovative solutions, products, and strategies to address menstrual health and hygiene challenges.

Community Engagement: Engaging with local communities to understand their needs and involve them in finding solutions.

Empowering Girls and Women: Empowering girls and women to manage their menstruation with confidence and dignity.

Addressing Intersectional Issues: Considering how menstruation intersects with other issues, such as poverty, disability, and gender-based violence”. Nakayemba explained.

In a journey to realize her dream, Nakayemba decries the lack of funds to run the organization’s social cause. She calls upon all people, government, corporate institutions who think her cause has good value to the community to financially push her back to realize the big dream.

“MTM Foundation is a young organization. Our biggest challenge are funds to help us in our sensitization and awareness campaign.

Annually, the project needs about 250M to enable us move all corners of Mawokota.

We need the media in this journey, medical professionals, transport means to  foster movements and branding material.

In some incidents, we need disposable and reusable pads and materials to be used in the campaign. Nakayemba.

Nakayemba has hinted about MTM Foundation future prospect with a dream to acquire a piece of land in Mawokota where she can set up permanent offices and learning facilities.

In the long run, we intend to have a piece of land in Mawokota where we can set up permanent offices and learning facilities.

As we go forward to solve the many problems associated with menstruation, we think about teaching and Skilling girls and women to make their own reusable pads.

That will require us to have infrastructure like the sawing machines, housing and the raw materials.

As a graphics designer, I plan to pass on the skill to many other girls as a way of impacting the communities’ income by creating self-employed young women”. Nakayemba.