Empower Communities Through Healthcare & Education

As long-time followers of Moyo will know, we have been on a quest to help end 'Period Poverty' by providing community healthcare services. 'Period Poverty' encompasses the educational and economic inequity that directly or indirectly results from menstruation. Often this is due to a girl missing school because of either the social stigma (menstruating females are considered unclean) attached to menstruation or an absence of the supplies she needs to manage it (and the shame that accompanies that). Different statistics abound and it's hard to know exactly what the count is, but most research agrees that about 40% of girls in rural Kenyan communities will miss 20% of school days each year. This absenteeism often means that girls will score lower on tests, fall behind, or drop out altogether. When a girl finishes secondary school she is less likely to experience child marriage, unplanned pregnancy, and domestic abuse. Studies show that educated girls and women are more likely to have fewer and healthier children, and these children are in turn, more likely to get an education that propels them out of poverty. It is a truly virtuous cycle.

So, with all that said, I am beyond excited to announce that we are collaborating with the Laikipia North Technical College to produce reusable menstrual pads! The Moyo Team at Mugie, Donna, Jedidah, and Anne, have purchased the materials for the tech college and provided designs and prototypes and now anxiously await the first batch of pads. Once the pads arrive, they will pack the packs (we'll include both day and night pads) and include a copy of a Period Tracker with menstrual health and hygiene information on it. We will send enough complete packs back to the tech college for everyone involved in the production and the rest we will have for distribution at outreach clinics and mentorship gatherings, as well as our own Healthy Kids at Mugie.

These reusable pads are a sustainable solution for girls - they are long-lasting (just wash the liner!) and they are not made with single-use materials. Because they come with a Period Tracker and information sheet, they also provide girls with basic information that they may otherwise not get. This is a project that epitomizes the intersectionality of healthcare + education + empowerment + environmental awareness. Stay tuned for updates!

Links:

• Our website!