Whitney Nakanjako - Social Worker and Educator, Uganda & US
“Talk to the people you’re working with. Ask them what they want and need. And ask for help - you can’t be alone in anything.”
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Whitney’s Story.
Whitney’s story is one of determination and deep compassion. Working in rural Uganda, she saw first-hand how poverty, inequality and limited access to education could hold back entire communities. That experience shaped her purpose: to create opportunities for others, especially girls, to thrive through education and self-belief.
A trained social worker, Whitney has worked across mental health, community development and education, helping children in some of Uganda’s most underserved areas return to school and rediscover their confidence.
Through the Triple WellBeing Fellowship, Whitney turned her focus toward one of the most pressing barriers facing girls in education: period poverty. Her action research explored how menstrual stigma and lack of access to sanitary products prevent girls from attending school and how open conversation, creativity and community solutions can change that. She introduced workshops that taught girls to make reusable sanitary pads, blending practical learning with empowerment, health awareness and environmental care.
Now pursuing a Masters in International Development and Economics at the University of San Francisco, Whitney continues to champion reproductive health education and sustainable change. Her voice carries a clear message: lasting transformation begins when we listen, include and uplift one another.
Listen to the full conversation with Whitney.
“If I can help one girl stay in school, her whole world and her community can change.”
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