Build a skill center for young moms in Uganda!

Suubi's Sanitary Pad Kits for Girls in School

In many rural Ugandan schools, something as natural as a girl’s period can become a barrier to education. Without access to sanitary pads, girls often miss school—sometimes several days each month.

At Suubi Teen MOPS, we wanted to understand the impact more clearly. So we conducted a survey among schoolgirls in our area. The results were striking: on average, girls miss three days of school each month because they don’t have access to menstrual products. Over a school year, those missed days add up—affecting performance, confidence, and long-term opportunity.

To respond to this need, Suubi recently created and distributed 400 washable sanitary pad kits to schoolgirls. These reusable pads are designed to last for months, offering a sustainable and hygienic way for girls to manage their periods and stay in school.

The kits were sewn by the teenage mothers in our Suubi sewing program. These young women are already bringing their skill and care to the project. Our hope is to secure long-term funding so we can continue to employ and empower them through meaningful, community-centered work.

We will also be following up with schools to track whether the kits make a difference in school attendance. Early feedback from the girls has been hopeful.

Because the cost of new materials remains high, we’re exploring the use of recycled fabrics—repurposing clean, durable cloth that might otherwise end up in landfills. It’s a practical solution that meets a pressing need while also reducing textile waste. A win-win.

At Suubi, we believe in simple solutions with lasting impact.