At public schools, girls learn to sew reusable sanitary pads — so that menstrual hygiene is never a reason to drop out of school.
Absences from school, poor grades, fewer prospects of a good education: one reason for this is a lack of menstrual hygiene products. Many girls cannot afford commercially available products and instead use rags, cotton wool or sand. Fearing they will stain their school uniform, they stay away from school or drop out altogether.
The project "Ulinzi wa kike" was launched in early 2022. Its goal is to teach girls at various public schools how to sew reusable sanitary pads and to inform them about menstrual hygiene. These tasks are carried out by a local seamstress from the sewing project and a local facilitator.
Our association covers the cost of a fair wage, sponsors a sewing machine for each school, and bears all material costs.
Current figures
In 2025 the project reached 190 schoolgirls. It is led by Helen together with a local facilitator; coordination in Tanzania is handled by Doreen Elirehema Nderingo.
