“Without sanitary pads, life at school is difficult. We are subjected to very embarrassing and humiliating incidences, especially from the boys. Tying a pullover around your waist to hide the soiled patch behind your uniform in case the tissue leaks is a dead giveaway. We choose to stay at home.”
Though there are many more girls to reach through distributing sanitary pads, its great to see that many frineds are willing to support and partner on this cause.
Out next outreach will be in Sept 2011, still to the school going girls in Kibera. The girls will be very excited and this time round we are looking to raise 1050 packets of sanitary pads, so far we are at 338 which will enable us to reach at least 350 girls for a 3 month supply. The more we are able to raise the more months the girls can go comfortably during their menstrual period.
A recent study conducted by the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) and the Division of Reproductive Health, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, shows that:
“because pads are not always available, girls and women in the slum communities are forced to use cotton wool, pieces of cloth (including socks), tissue paper, pages torn from school exercise books, and pieces of sponge torn from mattresses to manage their menstrual flow”
Using such materials during your monthly period has its fair share of adverse effects a syou probably know.
Previously we have been able to get each packet of pads at a cost of 39/= per packet in case you know of any other local manufacturer of sanitary pads that can give us even better wholesale prices please post the details and let me know.
If you would like to contribute your packet of sanitary pads drop a line here, details shall be sent to you.
If you would like to joint us on the day, let me know it would be bliss to have you there.
Ciao for now, more updates soon…
