On the 20th of April, 2024, the Ibadan arm of Teens Meet Outreach (TMO) set out for the Oyo State Juvenile Correctional Institution/Centre for Abandoned Children at Sango-Eleyele Road, Ibadan.
Due to delays with last-minute purchases, the outreach began later than the 11 am schedule initially decided upon. Nonetheless, the matron and residents welcomed us with excitement as we set down the cartons containing 60 sanitary pads and shepherded the teenagers into their common room.
As the girls settled, the matron explained that those with intellectual disabilities would not join us because they would be unable to participate in the conversation.
She also informed us that those without disabilities are responsible for the menstrual hygiene of their disabled colleagues, so our interaction with them would impact all the girls, whether or not they were present at the session.
The volunteers began the discussion with a brief introduction, stating their line of work and/or study. In turn, the girls shared their names, classes, and future ambitions.
On the topic of the day, Miracle Abraham, the TMO Ibadan Team Lead, began to discuss the basic anatomy and physiology of puberty, leading up to menarche and menstrual hygiene products. Questions began to pour in from the girls, some of whom were struggling with delayed puberty, and others trying to understand the changes in their bodies.
The conversation turned to sexual health, abstinence, and the need for protection during sexual intercourse. The girls were encouraged to ask the male volunteers for clarification on how to protect themselves while navigating romantic and sexual interactions with the opposite sex, and most of their questions hinted towards a possible history of assault. As the volunteers answered their questions, other girls eagerly joined us in the common room.
As we concluded the conversation, we demonstrated how to correctly use a menstrual pad and answered their questions on how to hygienically use alternatives like cloth and tissue paper. Female volunteers also shared experiences with different menstrual hygiene products, varying heaviness in monthly periods, and menstrual symptoms. We had a friendly debate on how best to dispose of menstrual pads, particularly because of the girls’ strong belief in the spiritual significance of menstrual fluid.
The girls enthusiastically prayed for TMO and sent their regards to the general team. They also requested that we reach out to them with underwear, particularly panties and brassieres, if TMO chooses to visit the facility again.
This outreach was our most deeply moving event yet because most of us, even as volunteers, could see ourselves in the girls and interact with them as peers rather than beneficiaries. In spite of the work being done at the facility, there is much left to be desired concerning the welfare of the residents. I hope that we can return there soon to meet more of their needs and watch the girls grow into the strong women they will definitely become.
Special thanks to the volunteers: Miracle Abraham, Oluwatomi Ajibade, Ifeoluwani Dosunmu, Moboluwarin Ogunleye, and Gift Similoluwa Oyedele
TMO aims to reach teenagers across the world, reminding them that they can be and do better and while we hold several projects, the #PadATeen is one of the ways through which we do this.
Teens Meet Outreach 
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