I took this picture in Kenya in June 2024. This mural was painted at one of the high schools where we help fund scholarships and provide girls with AFRIpads maxi pads. It was painted by an awesome local group with whom we have collaborated in the past, the Sister to Sister Initiative. They are responsible for important murals all over Sirembe and the surrounding areas.
I was really happy to see this one because it plainly shows an issue that girls throughout Kenya face every month. You can see the young girl thinking about maxi-pads and then thinking about how to get the money to buy them. Two scenarios follow. One shows an older man offering to give her money, and then we see her pregnant and crying. The other option shows her parents finding a way to help her buy the maxi-pads, so she is empowered to stay in school, graduate, and succeed.
It was in 2012 when I first heard from young Kenyan girls about the impossible choices some of them make just to have basic period protection. They told me about girls who end up with older men who offer to cover the costs for personal products in exchange for sex. These young women should never have to make that choice. That conversation is what inspired me to start providing maxi-pads for girls immediately. Now, with help from our generous donors, we provide year-round protection for 1000 girls every year. 14 years later, and we are still going strong!
I love a problem that has a simple solution! What a rare thing that is! You can help us solve it by donating this month. We are only $2,070 away from meeting our goal! Can you help empower these girls today?
$25 covers 5 Girls for an entire year
$100 covers 20 Girls for an entire year
$500 covers 100 Girls for an entire year
$1000 covers 200 Girls for an entire year