A year in the community: MCS 2024–2025 highlights

This year, Magalen Community Services reached further, built more, and changed more lives than ever before. From new changing rooms in primary schools to a woman growing her first tomato crop — here is what we achieved together between April 2024 and April 2025.

500 girls reached with menstrual health support

In Magola Sub County, most girls miss at least three days of school every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads. Since 2012, girl absenteeism linked to menstruation has risen from 7% to 28%. This year, MCS distributed factory-made sanitary pads to 500 girls across Nambogo, Pajangango, and Magola primary schools. We also built dedicated changing rooms at Nambogo and Magola primary schools, and trained all three schools in making their own reusable pads from locally sourced materials. The changing room at Magola Primary School was officially opened on 28th February 2025 by Mr. and Mrs. Iain Patton.

10 women economically empowered

Women in Tororo district make up 51.5% of the population but have historically been excluded from owning land or generating their own income. This year, MCS supported 10 women to own their own gardens, grow their own crops, and take on agricultural work traditionally reserved for men. One of those women is Nyakoi Dorothy, who now runs a tomato garden, a banana plantation, and a goat shelter.

“I can now sell my produce and buy whatever I want instead of pleading with my husband.” — Nyakoi Dorothy

3 schools supported with education and feeding programmes

MCS supports three primary schools in Magola Sub County — Magola, Nambogo, and Pajangango. This year we provided scholastic materials to pupils, trained senior women teachers in reproductive health, and mentored head teachers in school leadership and community engagement. We also established a two-acre school garden at Magola Primary School, training pupils, teachers, and parents in organic farming. The first harvest yielded 500 kilograms of maize — with 80% of pupils currently going the entire school day without food, this programme is critical and needs continued support.

5 elderly women cared for

MCS volunteers visited five elderly women in Magola Sub County this year — fumigating homes, washing clothes, and cleaning compounds. Aketch Asinasi received a new mattress. At Christmas, each woman received sugar, soap, and tea leaves.

“Whenever I could cry at night, something would tell me there are people coming to wipe away your tears. I didn’t know it was MCS. I am very grateful and I thank MCS even in my grave.” — Aketch Asinasi

MCS team giving Christmas gift to Aketch Asinasi

Health, human rights, and the environment

MCS continued working with Magola HCII and Poyameri HCIII health facilities to support maternal and newborn health services. We held community dialogues and stakeholder meetings on human rights, and began coordinated work to address wetland degradation in the sub county — including plans for a public awareness campaign and village-based resource training.

Thank you

None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors, volunteers, and well-wishers. Every contribution — large or small — reaches directly into the community. If you would like to support MCS’s work in 2025–2026, please visit our donations page.