Strong Girls, Brighter Futures: Fighting Anemia in SHI Communities

By Ernestina Esinam Glikpo, Communications Manager

In five schools across Ghana’s Ashanti Region, a quiet health crisis has been unfolding for years. Many girls were struggling; they often missed school, and when they did come to class, they were exhausted, unable to focus. The cause was anemia, a condition caused by iron deficiency that affects energy, learning, and overall health. For many of these girls, it made school harder and their future uncertain. 

But today, that story is changing. Through Self-Help International (SHI), 286 members of Teen Girls Clubs are now receiving the care and knowledge they need to stay healthy and succeed in school.

Over the past several months, Self-Help took a practical, hands-on approach to fight anemia:

• Every girl received micronutrient supplements throughout the school term
• Girls joined nutrition education sessions, learning which local foods support healthy hemoglobin levels
• Health checks were conducted for the girls, measuring hemoglobin levels and height and weight to track progress

The results are clear. Healthy hemoglobin levels have increased and more girls now come to school with energy. They can concentrate better, participate in class, and stay healthy. Girls can now learn without fatigue, grow with confidence, and look ahead to brighter futures.

Elizabeth, a member of the Teen Girls Club in Bedabour, in Ghana’s Ashanti Region, shared that before the program, she often felt weak and struggled to stay attentive in class. Today, she feels stronger, more active, and more confident in her learning.

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