<h5>Female students face barriers in poor countries.</h5><p>In many underdeveloped and poor countries, female students face significant barriers to education. Impoverished families cannot afford school fees, supplies, and the uniforms required to be worn by the students.</p><p>In Togo, a country in West Africa and one of the poorest in the world, the cost of these uniforms alone can prevent girls from attending school, hindering their growth and development.</p><p>Fortunately, American entrepreneur Payton McGriff is making a difference. Through her nonprofit organisation, Style Her Empowered (SHE), empowers women and girls to stay in school.</p><p>The NGO helps girls in Togo by providing free uniforms, covering school fees, supplying materials, and offering tutoring each year.</p><h5>The idea for a new uniform!</h5><div class="raw-html-embed"><figure> <video width="100%" height="350px" controls=""> <source src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/school-uniform-that-grows%2FSHE%20dress.mp4?alt=media&amp;token=62edc348-5041-417b-a800-1fd3d0a4d9e9" type="video/mp4"> </video> <figcaption>A video showing the uniform. Video by OkayAfrica.</figcaption> </figure></div><p>When Payton McGriff visited Togo and spoke with the girls about the problems they faced in attending school, many mentioned a lack of money and support. However, the most common issue raised was the cost of school uniforms.</p><p>So, she decided to provide them with school uniforms and other necessities. Initially, she hired local seamstresses and supplied uniforms and school fees to 65 girls.</p><p>But soon, they faced a problem. The girls were outgrowing the uniforms quickly, making it hard to provide new ones regularly. So, Payton and her team designed a uniform that grows with the girls.</p><h5>How does this uniform work?</h5><figure class="image"><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/newsahoot.appspot.com/The_Dress_90bbca7cd0.jpg" alt="The Dress.jpg"><figcaption>Students wearing the uniform. Photo by styleherempowered.</figcaption></figure><p>The dress has adjustable cords along the sides, allowing it to fit each student perfectly. Extra fabric is sewn underneath, enabling the dress to grow up to a foot in length.</p><p>This innovative design adjusts to six different sizes and can fit a girl for up to three years. Once outgrown, the uniform can be passed down to younger girls.</p><p>Also, the leftover fabric is turned into reusable pads that help girls stay in school during their menstruation so they don’t miss out on learning.</p><p>Beyond supporting students, this initiative also provides jobs to the local seamstresses and others in the community, making a positive impact all around.</p>

The uniforms are being provided to the students by a nonprofit organisation.

School Uniform That Grows

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School Uniform That Grows

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