Hi, my name is Aisha, and I am a proud member of the National Network for Girls Social Shifters (NGSS). I am reaching out to ask for your support in addressing a challenge that impacts the education and health of many girls in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

In Zanzibar, many girls in secondary schools face significant challenges during their menstrual cycles due to a lack of access to affordable sanitary products. Without these products, many girls miss 3-7 school days each month.

A single packet of sanitary pads costs 5,000 TZS ($1.97 USD). Unfortunately, this cost is unattainable for many families in Zanzibar, where the average monthly income is 200,000 TZS ($78 USD). This monthly income must first go towards food, rent, electricity, transportation, and clothes before being spread to other costs like sanitary pads.

As a result, many girls are forced to use makeshift, reusable cloths that are often unsafe and lead to infections due to poor hygiene practices.

The challenges extend beyond affordability. Many secondary schools in Zanzibar lack clean and functional bathrooms, with no dustbins for disposing of used pads or facilities to clean reusable cloths. Additionally, some schools do not have reliable access to clean water.

These obstacles result in frequent school absences, severely impacting girls' education and future opportunities.

With your help, we can make a difference.

This fundraiser aims to support the NGSS in purchasing sanitary products for girls in secondary schools across Zanzibar. By addressing this critical need, we can help ensure that girls stay in school and have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Your contribution will:

1. Supply girls with sanitary pads to cover their needs for several months.

2. Improve attendance rates and support girls in achieving their education goals.

3. Raise awareness about menstrual hygiene and advocate for better facilities in schools.

Every donation makes a difference! For just $10, you can provide enough sanitary pads for five girls for an entire month. Together, we can empower these girls to focus on their education without the added stress and stigma of menstrual challenges.

By supporting this campaign, you are giving girls the opportunity to stay in school, pursue their dreams, and break the cycle of poverty in their communities.

When girls stay in school it has a profound impact on their personal futures, their families, their communities, and the nation as a whole. Education allows girls to make informed decisions about their lives and breaks the cycle of gender inequality. Educated girls are more likely to secure better jobs and earn a higher income, which contributes to the economic growth of their families and communities. When girls stay in school they are more likely to escape poverty; education gives them the skills and knowledge to access opportunities that can transform their lives. Women contribute to more stable societies, improved governance, and sustainable development.

Ensuring girls have access to education unlocks the potential of millions of girls in Tanzania, which is an investment for a more equitable future for all.