Menstrual hygiene remains a significant challenge for many girls and young women in Zambia and across many parts of the world. Limited access to affordable, hygienic menstrual products often leads to feelings of embarrassment, stigma, and even school absenteeism during periods. In some communities, cultural taboos and misinformation further compound the problem, making it difficult for girls to manage their menstruation with dignity and confidence. As a result, many girls miss out on crucial days of learning, affecting their education and overall well-being.

World Vision Iraq, with funding from a private donor, has supported 211 children in six schools to access Catch-Up Classes and rehabilitated washing facilities in six schools. In addition, the team on the ground has emphasised the importance of handwashing and maintaining a clean environment. This year, 2,455 children (1,201 boys and 1,254 girls). participated in hygiene awareness-raising activities.

This article is a powerful story highlighting how a modest intervention, a personal plastic cup, greatly improved hygiene, hydration, and learning conditions in four schools in the Lualaba province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It recounts the longstanding lack of potable water at Amani Primary School in Mutshatsha and the transformative impact of a borehole installed in 2022, which gave over 1,600 students access to clean water. However, without drinking containers, students were still unable to hydrate safely and effectively. In early 2025, a donation of 3,625 plastic cups across four schools allowed students to drink water hygienically and comfortably. This simple addition significantly reduced water waste, improved hygiene, and helped students stay focused in class. The initiative, part of World Vision’s Gifts-In-Kind (GIK) program, illustrates the profound impact of addressing overlooked details in development work.

This report covers the fourth year of our Global WASH Business Plan (fiscal years 2021-2025).

For years, the residents of Mundanya Village in Manyinga District faced a harsh reality—children and families risking their lives fetching unsafe water from the crocodile-infested Kabompo River. Safe drinking water was a distant dream, and poor sanitation hindered their health and well-being.

World Vision Cambodia Updates Country Strategy (2023–2027)

For many girls in rural Zambia, managing menstrual hygiene at school has long been a challenge, often leading to absenteeism and reduced academic performance. However, through World Vision Zambia’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program, change is taking root. By training teachers and equipping students with essential hygiene knowledge, the program is creating a more inclusive and supportive learning environment, ensuring that no child is left behind due to preventable hygiene-related issues.