WHISPERS OF HOPE
UNDER THE MANGO TREE THE RETURN E ven though I left Kasungu some time ago, my heart remains tethered to it. The experiences and lessons I gained there continue to guide me in every aspect of my work. Kasungu shaped my career, and every time I return, it feels like reconnecting with an old friend. , I had the opportunity to work in Kasungu again for a few days. The organization I now work with focuses on menstrual hygiene interventions to reduce school absenteeism among girls. By distributing menstrual health kits and providing education on menstrual health, we aim to tackle one of the key barriers to girls’ school attendance—poverty and menstruation. As I stepped into rural schools once again, memories of my early days in Kasungu came flooding back. The warmth of the communities, the vibrant traditional dances, the comforting Nsima and local chicken, and, most poignantly, the infectious smiles of the children. The Girls Under the Mango Tree On one of our project days, a gro...