MODULE 5 INITIATIVE UPDATE: Financing my initiative

 The goal of my initiative is to address menstrual hygiene challenges of 100 adolescent girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 21 in Bui division by December 2022. This is the goal I set for myself but today is January 23rd and I've not reached my goal. This is because of the funding challenges we face as we carry out humanitarian activities. I've reached just about 2/3 of my goal. The funding I've so far had are personal contributions and donations from family members. I keep a percentage of the meagre salary I earn for humanitarian activities and when this is not enough,  I sought the assistance of some family members but this is not sustainable because it cannot meet up to 1//5 of the needs of adolescent girls and young women I work with.  Many people who know me know I do poultry farming and sell firewood to raise income for my humanitarian activities. This too is insufficient and I need funding to keep this dream moving.  Coupled with the fact that my trainees are interested in volunteering to produce more pads for other villages, there is need for fund raising alternatives. I decided to look for other sources of funding and had to apply to the Pollination Project.  My referee did not come from outside.  She is one of our World Pulse sisters who knows my work and believes in me. Sister Sally Mboumien is one of my strongest collaborators  who uses all her energy and resources to push forward the sisterhood agenda.  Yes! She is my referee.  Though not yet funded,  it has given me a push to keep writing grants and seeking funding. I may not have done it well but with the lesson from sister Sherna Benjamin on grant writing,  I am perfecting my skills and hoping for funding.