Teen Candle Initiative
Teen candle Initiative (TCI) is a faith community based non-profit organization (Reg WCBO/23/2447) from Wakiso, Uganda that seeks to build a better, healthier, informed and supportive future/environment for all teens especially girls plus women in their lives and environment
We focus on eradicating period poverty (Period education plus free usable sanitary pads), guide and support teens through growth (Puberty education) as we leverage group storytelling, outreach stories, research, community engagement, school education programs and advocacy to teens and women.
TCI's vision
To champion purposeful teen livelihood with a holistic approach emphasizing spiritual growth, social development, self-awareness and elevated period health.
TCI's Mission
To empower all teens especially girls to outlive their God-given potential and purposefully impact their societies by providing education, period health and Christ-like character.
Our History
Future Plans
Founded in 2021, TCI has been working towards providing empowerment for girls to make healthy life choices, educate them about proper period management habits and practices, personal hygiene through providing adequate, age tailored period education material, sanitary products, break period related taboos, myths and negative connation hindering young women from thriving.
Boys on the other hand are educated about puberty, the rigorous changes that accompany this pivotal transition, how to harmoniously live through them and also support their vulnerable gender counterparts emotionally, physiological plus creating a favourable stigma free environment.
Starting out as a small outreach circle operating in Namusera - Wakiso providing reusable sanitary pads and period education in communities, Teens Candle Initiative therein was founded by Daniel Mutumba and Brenda Amoding a couple so passionate about supporting teenagers and women through their shady days of the month.
Having noticed the crisis in society of how teens and women are affected by period stigma, taboos and myths, "we therefore took an oath to educate teenager girls about proper period health management practices and puberty".
As we continuously engaged with schools, communities we got exposed to more devastating challenges and loopholes where girls use deadly materials to manage their days like polythene bags with dry grass, polythene bags with soil, old mattress pieces to mention but a few, girls in their time of the first period asking what menstruation is which rekindled our spirits and strengthen our commitment to go far and beyond to support, inform and educate.
To fully empower teens and women, our mission and vision was streamlined into three focus areas to fully address and empower teens.
Our dedicated team of educators, Village Health teams, educators, researchers, and community engagement specialists work to empower local voices, inform policy decisions, and drive positive change through captivating narratives, stories, research-driven insights, capacity building programs, and persistent advocacy for stronger health regulations.
We're excited to share our plan for year fundamental development plan to intensify efficiency, impact and out reach
Teen candle initiative boasts more than 4 years of impactful teen engagement, teaching, in kind giving. We proudly partnered with local communities like Namusera, Kasese, Mende, Nansana, Nkoowe, Mende and more than 10 schools so far in raising awareness and inspiring action in a collaborative effort.
In the previous years, our outreach touched approximately 1500 individuals in Uganda, while our online campaign resonated with an extensive audience, connecting with over 50,000 people sharing factual information, compassion, support and morale.
This and in the coming years our aim is to broaden our impact significantly. We have set a target to engage with more than 1,000,000 individuals, comprising both active participants and community members. We aspire to extend our influence to 10 districts and involve 50 schools focusing more on primary classes (8 – 12 years) and early secondary classes (12-18) due to the young and vulnerable nature of teens at the stages.
Our project proposal seeks to have life reborn, hope restored and life changed and currently looking to raise $26,895 (United stated Dollars Twenty-Six Thousand Eight hundred ninety-Five) as detailed in our proposal to build a sewing studio with massive production and a base for our outreaches to bring about the phenomenal change as stated in my mission and vision.
Detailed Report & Proposal
Empowering Of Teens And Vulnerable Women Through Reusable Pads, In-Kind Giving And Proper Menstrual Management