04:15The women of the Tunaweza Foundation in Mombasa are producing reusable sanitary pads to help the young generation, as many struggle to attend school over a lack of sanitary products.
Footage recorded on Friday shows the workers, which include disabled women, using sewing machines to create the colourful sanitary pads. A local can also be seen washing the pads and then hanging them out to dry.
“We started making reusable sanitary pads because we wanted girls to go back to school because there were many girls in different parts of Kenya who are not going to school because of not having a pad, and they do not have money to buy the pad. They are in poverty," explained Charity Chahasi, the Director of Tunaweza Foundation.
Chahasi also revealed some of the challenges workers at the foundation face, including the lack of sewing machines and a vehicle to take the pads to market. She added that the pads can be used for up to three years.
“That is why it is cost-effective because the other pad you buy every month. But this one, when you buy it once, is cost-effective. And you cannot buy another pad, you just wash,” she explained.
Local college student Sophia Sidi noted that she used to use traditional sanitary towels, but she developed infections which affected her college attendance. However, after using the pads created by the foundation, her health has improved and she feels more comfortable.
"I can attend college in peace, and they are cheap," she explained.
The foundation employs around 20 people. It is reported that one in ten girls in sub-Saharan Africa is forced to miss school during their period.
'We wanted girls to go back to school' - Foundation creates reusable sanitary pads to improve women's health in Kenya's Mombasa
The women of the Tunaweza Foundation in Mombasa are producing reusable sanitary pads to help the young generation, as many struggle to attend school over a lack of sanitary products.
Footage recorded on Friday shows the workers, which include disabled women, using sewing machines to create the colourful sanitary pads. A local can also be seen washing the pads and then hanging them out to dry.
“We started making reusable sanitary pads because we wanted girls to go back to school because there were many girls in different parts of Kenya who are not going to school because of not having a pad, and they do not have money to buy the pad. They are in poverty," explained Charity Chahasi, the Director of Tunaweza Foundation.
Chahasi also revealed some of the challenges workers at the foundation face, including the lack of sewing machines and a vehicle to take the pads to market. She added that the pads can be used for up to three years.
“That is why it is cost-effective because the other pad you buy every month. But this one, when you buy it once, is cost-effective. And you cannot buy another pad, you just wash,” she explained.
Local college student Sophia Sidi noted that she used to use traditional sanitary towels, but she developed infections which affected her college attendance. However, after using the pads created by the foundation, her health has improved and she feels more comfortable.
"I can attend college in peace, and they are cheap," she explained.
The foundation employs around 20 people. It is reported that one in ten girls in sub-Saharan Africa is forced to miss school during their period.
The women of the Tunaweza Foundation in Mombasa are producing reusable sanitary pads to help the young generation, as many struggle to attend school over a lack of sanitary products.
Footage recorded on Friday shows the workers, which include disabled women, using sewing machines to create the colourful sanitary pads. A local can also be seen washing the pads and then hanging them out to dry.
“We started making reusable sanitary pads because we wanted girls to go back to school because there were many girls in different parts of Kenya who are not going to school because of not having a pad, and they do not have money to buy the pad. They are in poverty," explained Charity Chahasi, the Director of Tunaweza Foundation.
Chahasi also revealed some of the challenges workers at the foundation face, including the lack of sewing machines and a vehicle to take the pads to market. She added that the pads can be used for up to three years.
“That is why it is cost-effective because the other pad you buy every month. But this one, when you buy it once, is cost-effective. And you cannot buy another pad, you just wash,” she explained.
Local college student Sophia Sidi noted that she used to use traditional sanitary towels, but she developed infections which affected her college attendance. However, after using the pads created by the foundation, her health has improved and she feels more comfortable.
"I can attend college in peace, and they are cheap," she explained.
The foundation employs around 20 people. It is reported that one in ten girls in sub-Saharan Africa is forced to miss school during their period.