Expanding health education and Reusable menstrual kits for 400 girls in Kenya

This proposal seeks funding from our village pot to expand on a previous project and provide Reusable Sanitary Pad kits to 400 additional schoolgirls in Kenya.

The initiative, led by our partners (Kenya Connect), addresses the critical issue of menstrual health, which forces many girls to miss school during their periods. If undertaken, this work will not only aid in maintaining consistent school attendance but will also, again, support local economic empowerment by involving local women in producing sanitary kits.

Need for the project

In Wamunyu, Kenya, a significant challenge schoolgirls face is the inability to afford sanitary products. This leads to frequent absences from school—an average of 4-5 days each month. This absence is particularly detrimental during the period leading up to national exams.

Over 60% of the students' families live on less than $2 daily, making even primary sanitary care unaffordable.

Project Location

The project will be implemented in Wamunyu, Kenya, covering seven public rural schools. This area has been chosen due to the high level of need and the existing infrastructure and relationships we've established with the community and local schools.

Project Implementation

The project will be executed as follows:

1. Production of Sanitary Kits: Local women will manufacture the Reusable Sanitary Pad kits at the Kenya Connect Maker Space, earning them an income.

2. Distribution and Training: The Kenya Connect team will distribute these kits to junior and senior secondary-level girls across seven schools. In addition to the distribution, menstrual health and hygiene training sessions will educate the girls on proper menstrual management.

3. Community Engagement: The staff members will silk screen the kit bags, adding a personal touch to the kits and involving the community in every step of the project.

Impact of the Project

The distribution of 400 kits will directly prevent 400 girls from missing school during their menstrual periods, improving their educational outcomes and long-term life opportunities. Additionally, the project supports local women who produce these kits, fostering an environment of economic empowerment and sustainability. This initiative is a scalable model that can be expanded to include more girls and communities in the future.

Conclusion

This initiative represents a significant step towards mitigating the educational disruption caused by menstrual health issues among schoolgirls in Wamunyu, Kenya. By integrating local production and economic empowerment, this project not only addresses an immediate health need but also contributes to the broader goal of community development and women's empowerment. It also contributes to a large chunk of our goal to deliver sustainable menstrual kits to 1000 girls across Africa this year.