LP received an invitation from PCpl Ronquillo, Dr. Megs Lun, and Dr. Guarin, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Aklan Police Provincial Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development (PAG-PTD). The invitation, sent in October, was for LP to serve as one of the panelists during the Showcasing of Community Programs by the Aklan Police Officers Group.

On November 12th, Tuesday, four presenters representing community programs from each Chairman of the Police Sub-group were evaluated by the panel. The event was attended by 150 police officers from across the Province of Aklan.

This marked another significant milestone for our team this year, as having our representative invited as a panelist highlights the recognition by the Philippine National Police (PNP) of our contributions toward community development. We are proud of this opportunity to collaborate and support the PNP’s efforts in fostering positive change in our community.

GFF Helps, in collaboration with Sri Lanka Unites (SLU), played a pivotal role in conducting child consultation sessions at Thotalanga Flats and the Kelaniya area. These sessions aimed to contribute to the UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) alternative report, offering insights into children’s understanding of their rights and identifying the most commonly violated child rights in Sri Lanka.

The consultations engaged 30 children aged 8 to 17, divided into two distinct age groups: 10 children aged 8 to 12 from Thotalanga Flats and 20 adolescents aged 13 to 17, with equal representation from Kelaniya and Thotalanga. Through interactive discussions, creative exercises, and situational role-plays, children were encouraged to share their knowledge of child rights and reflect on how these rights are upheld or violated in their daily lives. In addition, face to face in depth interviews were conducted to collect qualitative data.

Many expressed a limited awareness of their rights, with some rights—such as the right to education, protection, and participation—emerging as the most violated. The younger children from Thotalanga shared their struggles with access to quality education and safe environments, while the adolescents from Kelaniya and Thotalanga voiced concerns about discrimination, exploitation, and limited opportunities for personal growth.

Following the consultations, separate reports were prepared for Thotalanga and Kelaniya, analyzing the data both quantitatively and qualitatively. The reports revealed patterns of systemic challenges faced by children in urban and suburban communities. By identifying these gaps, the initiative has laid the groundwork for targeted interventions to address child rights violations and create safer, more inclusive environments for children. The insights gained from these sessions will contribute significantly to the UNCRC alternative report.

On November 6th, the GFF Kalimpong Team took a significant step towards formalizing their efforts by visiting the district co-operative society office to begin the registration process. They were guided by Mr. R, the Chief Development Officer (CDO) of the district, who provided detailed insights into the registration process, its procedures, and the necessary requirements. Co-operative societies are member-driven organizations that play a crucial role in fostering collective economic, social, and cultural goals. This co-operative society is set to play an integral part in the way forward for our sustainable project, serving as a foundation for community-driven initiatives and equitable resource management. By adhering to principles of mutual assistance, democratic decision-making, and sustainability, the society will act as a vital platform to empower members and ensure long-term growth. The guidance provided during this visit has laid the groundwork for achieving these objectives through structured and collaborative efforts.

In Nepal, many people think menstruation is a shameful topic, and some old traditions make women stay away from others during their periods. People believe that menstruation is dirty, which causes embarrassment and silence. Many girls don’t have enough pads or education about how to stay clean during their periods. However, growing awareness and advocacy are slowly changing these practices in Nepal.

It is very important to teach the youngsters that menstruation is a natural and biological process. So GFF Helps Nepal representatives, Ms. Pramila and Mrs. Sanam initiated a project for the students of grade seven of Balkumari School on menstrual hygiene.

On November 15th, facilitator, Mrs. Sachita Bhattarai and Ms. Resha Silpakar (GFF Helps Nepal intern) facilitated the project “Menstrual Hygiene” to the 24 students of grade 7 students of Balkumari School.

The project aimed to provide both boys and girls with essential knowledge about menstrual hygiene. The main focus was on teaching safe practices for using menstrual products such as pads, tampons, and menstrual cups. In addition, students were also encouraged for open discussions to promote a more inclusive understanding of menstruation. Through engaging lessons, participants learned about the menstrual cycle and were educated on the importance of tracking their individual period days for better health management.