We looked at the challenges our youth face in the community, especially girls. There was a high number of school drop-outs, most of which was caused by the challenges they face when they start menstruating. 

The inability to afford sanitary pads during menstruation means that many of the girls were forced to use primitive alternatives, such as newspapers, rags of clothes which are both ineffective and unhygienic. All too often these alternatives lead to long term health risks such as Reproductive Tract Infections, Toxic Shock Syndrome or cervical cancer.

The medical implications and unpredictability of alternative sanitation methods frequently resulted in girls skipping school and women missing work. 

Research indicates that girls in developing countries miss up to 50 school days annually due to menstruation. In rural communities most of the women and girls are under monthly house arrest because of the inability to afford sanitary pads.

Advantages of reusable pads?

•  Washable and Re-usable

• Cheaper than disposables in the long run

• Less chance of skin irritations as they do not contain chemicals found in disposables.

• Girls do not have to depend on ongoing donations, as they can re-use the pads for up to a year.

• They are environmental friendly and they create less overall waste compared to disposables

• Cloth pads remove the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS) associated with tampons.