Ulinzi wa Kike: 190 Schoolgirls Reached

Our women's protection project 'Ulinzi wa Kike' — initiated in 2022 by Tanja Schmitt-Kupcik — reached 190 schoolgirls in 2025. The project is led by Helen, our experienced seamstress from the sewing project, together with a local teacher; coordination in Tanzania is handled by Doreen Elirehema Nderingo.

The girls learn to make reusable hygiene products themselves — complemented by education on menstrual hygiene. Without access to hygiene products, many girls in Tanzania stay away from classes or drop out of school entirely. Take a Malaika e.V. covers the instructors' salaries, provides one sewing machine per school, and fully funds the necessary materials.

Period poverty can cause girls to miss lessons during menstruation. Ulinzi wa Kike addresses this directly: girls learn how to make reusable menstrual pads themselves. This is sustainable, free of charge and provides practical knowledge. The workshops create a safe space for conversations about menstruation, health and their own bodies. Menstrual hygiene is not a luxury. It is a right.