No more disadvantage for girls because they are girls
Women in the Majengo Community working on solutions regarding the lack of access to sanitary pads
As you know, at Bookfeeding our goal is to bring education to all. Over the past years we have been fortunate to have been working with amazing teams both locally and internationally who helped us put our visions into effect. While we will continue to raise money in order to help building libraries and to be able to stock them up with books so that whole communities can have access to education, we have become aware of a problem that slightly differs from our usual projects. You may not see the connection to Bookfeeding at first glance but it is an issue dear to our hearts and an important matter to address, for there should not be any more gender unfairness when it comes to youth's school attendance!
Newspapers should be for reading!
The good news is: Girls of the Majengo-Kyomu Kahe community in Tanzania have the opportunity to go to school and receive education. The bad news is: Every month their period keeps them from studying for days!
Due to lack of female hygiene products the girls use old, crumpled up newspapers or rags from the garbage to line their underwear. This is not only ineffective and keeps the girls from attending school, it is also unhygienic and can lead to infections!
Working towards full-time school attendance for girls
Together with the Majengo community we want to fight this stigma and provide sanitary pads for young women, so they are able to take part in everyday’s life without being held back. The idea is to offer workshops on how to make reusable sanitary pads for and with local teenage girls. This way the girls create the highly needed female hygiene products for themselves and their peers, and have a little income as well.
Our mission is to mobilize participants and contributors until a sustainable solution is found and developed. We intend to help these girls restore their dignity and self-esteem, so they don’t need to feel shame or embarrassment during their period anymore. The ultimate goal is to make sure that all Majengo girls can go to school regardless of their period.
How can YOU contribute to this project?
Imagine if one of those girls happened to be your daughter, your sister, your cousin, your niece or even your friend. Let’s work together and change the situation for the better!
If you are the hands-on type of person you may want to consider volunteering on-site. There is never too many helping hands, now is there? Perhaps you even know a thing or two that could help with sewing the pads and you want to share your wisdom with the ladies?
Naturally, you can make a change from home too! With only 5€ you provide 3 sanitary pads for girls who otherwise could not afford it. However, we really are glad for any kind gesture that supports this project, even if it is just a nice word. So please raise awareness to this rural community and help to make a real difference!
Thank you.