RESTORING DIGNITY FOR GIRLS

We are pleased to report that the second quarter of 2024 has been successful in advancing our goal of distributing 3,000 washable sanitary towel kits to secondary school girls. While the journey has been challenging, we are making notable strides. So far this year, we have distributed 600 kits across four village day secondary schools.

Each kit contains eight pads, two shields, a storage pocket, two pairs of underwear, soap, and a face towel. The girls’ reactions were heartwarming; their smiles and applause when they discovered the contents of the kit, especially the inclusion of two pairs of underwear, were truly rewarding. The teachers also expressed their gratitude, as this initiative helps address the monthly challenges they face with students who may miss school during their periods or resort to inadequate alternatives.

The impact of these kits extends beyond the immediate convenience. The pads are designed to last over three years, covering the entire duration of the girls' high school education. This ensures that they can remain in school throughout their menstrual periods without the fear of missing classes or facing embarrassment, particularly in mixed-gender schools.

Moreover, this program benefits not only the students but also the vulnerable women and former students involved in producing these sanitary kits. By creating these kits, they earn a livelihood and support their families, transforming their own lives in the process.

Our sanitary towel distribution program is among Tumaini's most impactful community initiatives. Your support is crucial to our success, and we cannot thank you enough for making this possible. We are optimistic about reaching our goal of distributing 3,000 kits each year, and we encourage you to share our work with others to help us gather more support.

Thank you once again for your continued commitment and generosity.

With sincere appreciation,

This is a story from Margaret (not her real name) 

"I am 17 years old, I went to a public school and my life as a child has not been like what I see in other children chidren's lives.  My parents are peasant farmers, we have a quarter acre of land and our grass thatched house is built on it. All my  until the age of 15 years I never slept on a matress.  I finished my primary school two years ago and joined day secondary school in the village. I started my menstration when I joined secondary school.  i didnt know what to do and I cried.  One of the teachers helped me and gave me a pad then I went home.  it wa so hard for me to go back to school because our school is a mixed school.  My teacher folowed up with me and i decided to go to school.  My mother didnt want to talk about it and I didnt want to talk about it with her as well. 

The second week after I went back to school, a miracle happened!  Tumaini miles of smiles group visited our school and all the form ones girls were asembled.  We didnt know what they wanted to tell us but they were had large bags with them. We started the meeting with a word of prayer and then introduced themselves, and I knew my prayer had been answered!

I was anxious to see what they had brought for us and didnt even pay attention to what they were sharing, i just wanted to see what they had for us.  I knew I had only one week to have my periods. My mother and father worked in farms to provide one meal for us and I dont think they had any cent left to buy my pads. MMMhhhh! at long last, the kits were distributed and I got mine, it was like heaven had come on earth! Inside the kit there were underwears, soap, towel and the washable pads.

My life is not the same, my problem was solved and I have had the pads for one year and still serving me comfortably.  Above all, the teachers shared my story with the group and they are helping to pay my school fees.  I cant wait to finish my schooling and give back to my community.

I would not be in school now if I would not have received this kit. The embarrassments and discomfort were enough to make me stay at home and not at school.

I am now staying in school everyday of the month.

Thank you