Reducing period poverty in Kenya through local pad production

We have successfully purchased all necessary fabric materials and engaged five women in our 'LitMoms' program, who are currently sewing up the kits for the next distribution of kits to 650 girls.

No words can express the joy in my heart. My son needed a huge amount of money for his university exam, and I didn't have the money, but then I was told that there were kits that were needed and I could be part of the Lit Moms to make the kits and earn the money I needed.

For the last two weeks, the local moms and our team have been busy making, training, and distributing reusable sanitary pads for the two remaining schools, Makaalu Primary and Mwaasua Secondary Schools.

1. Nunga Primary School - 35 girls

2. Wamunyu ABC Primary School - 31 girls

3. Makaalu Secondary School - 34 girls

4. Kilembwa Secondary - 289 girls 

5. Mbuini Primary School- 30 girls

6. Makaalu Primary School – 31 girls

7. Mwaasua Secondary School – 30 girls

During our training and distribution schedules, the students have expressed great gratitude for the kits. Faith, a student at Mwaasua Secondary School, commented:

“I am humbled and excited to receive the kit; I will not be stressed anymore on what to use during my period. Sometimes, I was praying that my period skips when I am in school because I don’t have sanitary pads.’

‘I am happy that the parents of the girls who receive the wings Poa won’t struggle to buy synthetic sanitary pads and that money can instead be used to buy food for the family.  I am proud of making the Wings Poa because I know girls won’t miss school and won’t have challenges getting sanitary pads.

One month after receiving the Kwanda grant, we are excited to share that 419 girls have been trained and issued with reusable sanitary pad kits.

So far, 5 schools out of 7 targeted schools have been fully trained and issued with the kits. They include:

1. Nunga Primary School - 35 girls

2. Wamunyu ABC Primary School - 31 girls

3. Makaalu Secondary School - 34 girls

4. Kilembwa Secondary - 289 girls and

5. Mbuini Primary School- 30 girls

The training and distribution of the reusable pad kits last month at Makaalu Secondary coincided with International Menstrual Hygiene Day! It was a day of celebration for these girls to receive their kits and regain a sense of dignity. During the training and distribution of the kits at the respective schools, our team listened to students who expressed great gratitude for the kits. Here are a few comments from the girls.

During my periods I used to fake illness so that I could stay at the dormitory because I didn't have sanitary pads. I was using cut out materials from kanga fabric and they would often leak. Now with the kit, I will be able to attend classes without fear of leakage. — Mercy, Kilembwa secondary

I’m happy to receive my kit. For now, I will not be sharing the sanitary pads with my sister since my mother used to buy just one pack for both of us to share. — Ann, Mbuini Ps

Our maker space has been intensively assisting local mothers in sewing and producing the kits.

I am happy and enjoying making the kits. I can now get money from making the kits and ‘am not dependent on casual jobs. Through making the kits, I am able to start poultry farming

I received this lovely video recording from the girls at Makaalu Secondary School this afternoon.

Our team has identified 7 schools whose girls shall benefit from the sanitary pads: Nunga Primary School, Wamunyu ABC Primary School, Mbuini Primary School, Makaalu Primary School, Kilembwa Secondary School, Makaalu Secondary School and Mwaasua Secondary School

This morning, I received an update from James, the project lead in Kenya who's overseeing the delivery of menstrual kits to 400 students.

Our villagers just passed a vote to expand this initiative by funding health education and reusable kits for 400 students in Kenya.

We'll leverage our established relationship with the community and schools in Wamunyu, Kenya, and once again hire local sewists to create the kits.

Following a successful project in Ghana - this will bring the total number of kits delivered to 600.

Kenya Connect, our partners on the ground, have conducted a three-month check-in with the girls who received reusable sanitary pad kits.

Overall, they are observing that girls and their families have reduced their household costs as they are no longer having to purchase disposable pads. Girls are also staying in school and staying healthier as they have a safe and sanitary option for their periods.

28 May is annual Menstrual Hygiene Day and was a very fitting day for our project in partnership with Kenya Connect to provide 230 girls with reusable sanitary pads kits to get completed.

The final 69 girls at Nyaani Secondary School received their kits. They also celebrated Menstrual Hygiene Day by reciting poems and raising awareness of menstrual hygiene and how women and girls are affected by inadequate provision.

Margaret and the team have completed distribution at St Pius Kaitha Secondary School. They just have one more distribution to do to complete this project!

30 more girls have received kits in Wamunyu. The girls at Mwaasua Secondary School wanted to share the level of impact this will have on them. Many of their parents were not able to consistently afford period products. These girls will no longer miss school when they're on their period, which will have a big impact on their education!

Margaret and the team have distributed kits to 36 girls at Kitile, with the redesigned and newly branded Wings Poa kits.

The Kenya Connect team are distributing pads this week! 50 girls at Kikaso Primary School have received their kits.