Breaking the Cycle of Period Stigma and Poverty!

Personal Hygiene, Puberty and Maturation Trainings and Kits

Girls living in the villages are often unable to access period products. This basic product is taken for granted by many. The assumption that girls and women have access to this basic need is far from reality.
Reality is:
*Girls often lack safe, private, and dignified bathrooms at schools and home.
*Disposable pads are not readily available and are expensive.
*Girls may be coerced into trading their virtue for a supply of menstrual pads. This is extreme, but the reality is it does happen and is a very real danger and possibility.
*Garbage and sanitation facilities are lacking in many rural areas of Kenya so disposal of these products can become a health hazard.
*Reusable, washable menstrual hygiene kits are a valuable and welcomed gift.

Young women struggle with period stigma, which turns something as natural as the menstrual cycle into a source of shame and discomfort, and knocks down these young women's self confidence. Young women begin menstruating at very crucial time in their lives. At a time when missing a week of school every month can significantly impact their education. At a time when feeling confident and healthy can make a huge difference to a girl’s ability to access and take on opportunities.

Girls face shaming from boys because neither gender completely understand menstruation and the blessing it is to society as a whole. To assist in breaking the traditional cycle and taboos surrounding menstruation, puberty and the maturation process for both boys and girls, we are including both young men and young women in the trainings and distribution of kits. The girls receive a Menstrual Hygiene Kit with shields, pads, underwear, washcloth and soap. The boys receive a Kit with a bar of soap, a washcloth and a pair of boys underwear briefs. Both the young women and young men gain an understanding of the changes they will experience as they mature and enter puberty. This combined training assists the students to gain an understanding and respect for their classmates of both genders. We are assisting in breaking the taboo of discussing menstruation and puberty openly because both girls and boys receive instruction in matters of personal hygiene, puberty and maturation.

$10 = One Menstrual Hygiene Kit $4 = One Personal Hygiene Kit

$10 per month = 12 Menstrual Hygiene Kits or 30 Personal Hygiene Kits
$15 per month = 18 Menstrual Hygiene Kits or 45 Personal Hygiene Kits
$25 per month = 30 Menstrual Hygiene Kits or 75 Personal Hygiene Kits

Click the donate button, commit to a small monthly contribution that fits into your budget and make a difference in the lives of the young students in Olokeri and Sikirrar as taboos surrounding menstruation and puberty are broken and healthy attitudes are developed.

The kits are made locally in Kenya so you are also supporting the local economy.

120 Menstrual Hygiene Kits were distributed in 2021, surpassing the goal of 100. The program was expanded to include boys by distributing 125 Personal Hygiene Kits. Thanks to the efforts of Timothy and Alex, the parents of the students have been engaged to bear a small portion of the costs of these kits. This allows the donations received to be stretched even further and the community also shares in the responsibility for the success of the program.