Close your eyes and imagine 14 year old Lilly in Africa. She’s finally gotten a chance to get back into school and even though she’s a year behind, she is thrilled.
So her teacher is surprised when she misses not one, but four days of school, the second month of school.
She falls further behind.
And it happens again the following month.
Nobody likes to talk about it.
But it’s a normal part of life for every young woman: menstruation.
Yeah. And many girls around the globe don’t have the extra money to buy products every month that would make it easier to stay in school.
What is an inconvenience for most, is life-altering for others.
“It is a normal part of life – but in many regions of the world it is a taboo subject. The silence around menstruation means girls in some countries stay away from school during their periods or even drop out of education. In parts of sub-Saharan Africa and other areas of the world, girls can miss out on up to five days of school per month or stop going to school entirely because of insufficient access to water and hygiene facilities, no separate toilets for girls and a lack of sanitary supplies.” source
My Kenyan friend Susan (and a Rehema House board member, employee of Compassion International), who led my first Compassion trip in Kenya in 2010, has a heart for these girls and their missed education. She and her sister have started an initiative to keep girls in school by supplying them with the basic need of sanitary pads.
And friends, we are going to help. We want to fill as many suitcases as we can with feminine hygiene products to send back to Kenya this month. Will you help?
Sisters, mothers, daughters lets join together and meet the needs of countless girls in Kenya.
Sure, nobody like to talk about it, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t.
Please send sanitary pads (all brand, sizes and types) to:
Mercy House
8000 Research Forest Dr. Set 115-110
Spring, TX 77382
Deadline: Sept 26, 2015
Updated to add: Yes, we understand there are cheaper, reusable options. But these take education and time and resources (like soap and water). We will be sending ideas, samples, etc to the women leading this group. Until then, we are collecting disposable options. Thank you.
I want to help but I want my dollars to go as far as possible to help. If I send you a check (or paypal, or whatever) do you have the resources to have someone shop for pads in TX? That way the money I would have spent on shipping goes to the girls? Let me know. Thank you.
Yes, you can send a check to the same address above, please mark is “School Girl Project”
Thanks!!
Make check payable to Mercy House?
I read some of the comments and was glad I did – using Amazon with free shipping didn’t even dawn on me. I was able to get a bulk package for cheaper than anything I could buy at walmart sent to the address above. Will arrive next week. Thank you.
I completely support this mission, but I do have one question. Why not invest in reusable sanitary products like the Luna cup or diva cup so that the girls aren’t dependent on ongoing gifts of sanitary products? Thanks for your great work!
See “Updated to add” after original article. It states that while there are cheaper options available, resources such as soap and water,may well as education in such products, does not make them a viable option at this time.
I would like to add that cups and tampons that require insertion would not be accepted by the girls. Their hands are not necessarily clean and they can’t imagine sticking their fingers “up there.” I do similar work in Uganda (with reusable pads because there is easier access to water) and my girls can’t imagine using something internally.
Erika – I would like to get in touch with you. My daughter is working on an engineering project for Uganda, working with a visiting missionary priest from there. Of course, he is providing information, but you may be able to help us with a few things as well.
Julie
Hi Julie.
If you tap on my name then my website comes up and my email is on the front page. I firmly believe that by working together we have the biggest impact.
Would washable ones be better to send? Or would they not use those?
These girls do not have access to soap and water like we do. Let alone a washing machine with a steam clean cycle. I am sure that every avenue is being explored to come up with the best possible options… But for right now, the best way you can help is to send pads, so these precious girls can get the education they so badly need.
I agree with the above comments why not reusable products? I personally found more comfort in wearing reusable and they only need to be replaced every few years. I’d be interested in sending reusable pads or Luna cups if they would be used.
These girls do not have access to soap and water like we do. Let alone a washing machine with a steam clean cycle. I am sure that every avenue is being explored to come up with the best possible options… But for right now, the best way you can help is to send pads, so these precious girls can get the education they so badly need.
Done! You should be receiving a box from Amazon between Sept. 5 and 13th.
Shipped from SAMs Club. Will arrive soon! God Bless you guys.
I would love to host a drive with my local moms group however we do not start meeting until mid September. If I hosted a drive later this fall or next spring- who would I be in contact with to get them over to Kenya? I googled The School Girl Project however did not find anything. Thanks for your help!
This is a wonderful way to minister to these girls. And you are right – it is something we take for granted. I never even thought about it! Thank you so much for the chance to serve them.
I had never even considered this. What a great way to help these girls be able to stay in school. I was able to order off Amazon and ship directly to you. Using Amazon Prime eligible products, I didn’t have to pay shipping!
Thank you so much for this opportunity to help! I agree with Kelli – this is something I take for granted. Please thank Susan as well for giving us the chance to help.
Would tampons be acceptable, or are sanitary pads a better choice for hygiene and/or cultural reasons? I am asking in the interest of saving space.
FYI: See Erika’s answer in 3.2
Thank you – sorry I missed that the first time around!
I’ve gone in with some friends and will be placing an order for pads today.
Thank you for all you do!
So important – and it sounds like you have come up with a good temporary measure. Have you heard of Days for Girls? They may be able to help with a more sustainable option 🙂
Done – another package headed your direction from Amazon (which is also supporting Mercy House through smile.amazon.com ;)).
What a great project! I’ll be sending supplies and will reblog on riddlefromthemiddle. Thank you for coordinating this!
Prime delivery headed your way. Yea for free shipping! 🙂
I just ordered 2 boxes from Sam’s Club, being shipped to your address. God Bless!!!
For some reason Amazon won’t complete my order without a phone number to go with the mailing address. ???
Just use your own phone number.
Thanks! I didn’t think of that. 🙂
My friend actually makes kits with reusable product. It will help these girls continue school as disposable wear out, and provide jobs for women who could make them. She has an order for 700 right now- it’s such a need!
A package is on the way. Thank you for allowing us to help with this project.
Just had 7 packages shipped from Amazon. Thank you for organizing this. Thank you
Amazon for free shipping!
you should get in touch with Lunapads. They have an existing program for supplying pads to girls in countries that don’t have them. They might have some ideas for you.
Have you heard of diva cups. Friends I know use and love it. Can you use those?
Done and Done! So thankful for Amazon and their free shipping!!! You should receive an order on Wednesday. Thank you for all you do!!!
Thankful for an opportunity to help with my tween beside me. Several packs coming your way via Amazon: )
Done!
Can these products not be purchased locally in Kenya? Just curious if that has been explored. Please know I’m not belittling the effort, just curious why they must be shipped over in a suitcase.
Package on the way!
Shipping from target straight to you!! Thank you for allowing us opportunities to help.
Thank you for posting this and allowing us to be blessed by helping. I would have never even thought about this being a need. 🙂
Done and put a post up on my blog (Thursday). Blessings. Keep doing good works, Kristen. –J
…To help spread the word (is what I meant). 😉
we need not support them
I do not understand this comment.
Done, package coming from Amazon!
My daughter and I have been to Kenya twice and have a huge heart for the Kenyan children. As president of her school Anchor Club, my daughter is launching this as their first service project. We will ship you our collection in the next couple of weeks.
Thank you for all you do for the girls at Rehema House.
I am gathering supplies from my homeschool moms group and from my FB friends. Thanks for letting us be a part of helping these girls.
A package from Amazon is “winging” its way to you! I also shared on my FB page. Thank you for sending up a flare for these girls!
I had not even thought of this as a need. Thank you for sharing it with us and giving us the opportunity to help. I told my teen daughter about your post and she wanted to help also. We shipped to you via Amazon thanks to Amazon Prime and no shipping fees. Keep up the great work of bringing attention to those who are in need. You have an amazing heart.
Amazon order headed your way.
What a privilege to get to participate in this project. Amazon order heading your way!
So happy to help. Thank you for what you do. Package on its way to you from Amazon.
Two boxes are headed your way from Amazon. Many blessings to you and to the young women you are helping!
sending a package your way! thanks Amazon
Thanks to another commenter’s great idea, please expect a small delivery from Amazon next week. May God give you peace and rest (and a thick skin) as you soldier on.
Love the Amazon Prime option. I will send you some next week via Amazon!
Thank you for this opportunity to serve and be generous!
Amazon pkg on it’s way to you!!
Kristen – your willingness to step up and lead the way to help others is always so inspiring. Please be encouraged!! Big hugs from Mississippi and a big box from Amazon on the way to you!
Thank you for following where God leads you!!! You’re doing a great job of showing the love of Christ to these girls. I would have never even thought of this as a need, thankful for women in the kingdom like you!
An Amazon package is on the way!
Getting an order placed this afternoon.
Thank you for sharing this need with us.
This is a great idea and I fully support it. I do think it is important to understand other cultural issues with menstrual cycles for the young girls and women in Africa. There is still a great percentage of communities/villages who have “witch doctors’ and the people highly believe in the power of being ‘bewitched’ by others. The strongest means to do so is with blood of the person you want to bewitch. This is also a big reason why these girls/women do not go out during this time. I know for the US this seems crazy but it is factual. Something to consider is also providing plastic bags or some means to dispose of the item after use.
Our Jr/Sr High girls’ group would like to participate! Hopefully we can fill a large box and send it your way!
Thank you for sharing this opportunity with us and allowing us to help! I just ordered a big pack which should arrive Monday from Amazon. I’ve also shared this post with girlfriends at church so they can help too! Happy Friday!
3000 headed your way via FedEx
Have you read about these new panties that double as a ps for periods? The inventor plans to donate 1 pr to Uganda for every pair sold. Possible partnership? http://www.forbes.com/sites/emmajohnson/2015/05/28/can-these-panties-disrupt-a-15-billion-feminine-hygiene-market/