Days for Girls Kenya (Smile Star'd) DOUBLE MATCH

Help us raise money that will be DOUBLE matched for Days for Girls Menstrual Hygiene Kits and COVID-19  Masks.  Our team is  grateful beyond words to our anonymous
corporate sponsor who has stepped up and offered to double match all donations
through November.  

The needs are immediate so we are raising donations NOW through  November to support the current crisis affecting girls and women in Kenya, most of whom have no access to sanitary napkins. With schools closed due to COVID, teen pregnancy has skyrocketed  as men abuse young teens in a sex for pads scandal that has alarmed Kenyan health officials. The situation is dire. (See link to article below.)

For every $1 you donate our sponsor will donate $2, meaning that  $3 will go to Smile Star'd!
Every $10 becomes $30, every $100 becomes $300 etc...
Please consider supporting this worthy cause that is making a HUGE
difference in the lives of girls, women and communities.  


We are currently raising funds for The Smart starter kit ($6 ) which consists of: 
2 Shields
4 Liners
1 Menstrual chart
1 underwear
1 transport bag
1 soap
Education on Menstruation, hygiene, self defense, and empowerment 
and the COVID Masks $1.50 (with COVID safety precaution education)
Together, the kit and mask cost $7.50 

Because of our amazing Corporate donor when you buy 1 Kit for a girl or
woman it will actually buy 3 kits! Your gift will be multiplied times 3!
This is such a powerful way for your gift and generosity to be magnified!
Together we  can reach many girls and women in Kenya and offer a beautiful and
simple solution that allows them to stay focused on their education. 



The current COVID-19  Pandemic is challenging for all right now, and for the poor in
Kenya it has been heartbreaking. In addition to the normal issues with girls missing school and falling behind, or worse, dropping out because of menstruation, the rate of teen pregnancy, due to lack of access to pads, is on the rise and is causing extreme concerns amongst health officials in Kenya.
Read article about how girls are abused sexually in exchange for money to buy pads: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/kenya-girls-sex-sanitary-products-pads-period-poverty-a8533081.html 



You can also see a recent news clip from Kenya about girls being sexually abused in exchange for money to buy pads. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=571836543444927 

The lack of school, combined with financial and food shortages are making pads for girls even less of a priority for families than before and we are seeing the abuse and teen pregnancies on the rise.  This is where Days for Girls Smile Star'd is doing such incredible work!
During these COVID times our team is going to homes and neighborhoods to bring the Days for Girls reusable hygiene kit, and masks to protect against the Corona Virus. (Masks are legally mandated in Kenya. Failure to wear results in steep fines or jail) Education on menstruation, hygiene, self defense,
empowerment, and COVID-safe hygiene and protection are also offered.

$7.50 Gives a girl a kit that lasts for 3 years, gives her dignity, hope and safety to finish school and hopefully avoid abuse, exploitation and teen pregnancy. 

Many of you have been deeply touched by the work of Days for Girls as we change  the status quo for girls and women through quality menstrual care solutions, health education, and income-generating opportunities that give back days of opportunity and health.
Days for Girls increases access to menstrual care and education by developing
global partnerships, cultivating social enterprises, mobilizing volunteers, and innovating sustainable solutions that shatter stigmas and limitations for women and
girls. To learn more about Days for Girls and the incredible work they do around
the world see https://www.daysforgirls.org 



Smile Star'd is a Days for Girls Enterprise in Nakuru, Kenya that Monica DaCosta and I, Corinna Barrus, have been supporting through mentorship, fundraising, visiting, and friendship for the past few years.  Alice Mwangi is the visionary leader of this enterprise where she and her team tirelessly serve the community. Smile Star'd is the fastest growing enterprise in East Africa and she and her team, as well us as her mentors, are often used as examples by Days for Girls International of how to do this work in the most impactful and successful ways. Alice has been featured in Days for Girls Conventions in various countries as well as serving as the spokesperson for East Africa at world wide conferences, on the news, and on social media resources (blogs, websites FB, newsletters, etc...)
Together we have raised the funds to build and open a Days for Girls Sewing
Center, employing 18 men and women who make and distribute the kits, and have supported thousands of girls and women who have received the hygeine kits and
education.  

The need is great and we are so grateful for your continued support. We could not do this work without you. TOGETHER WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Thank you for giving generously. 
Love,
Alice, Monica and Corinna