Who We Are
We are six young women from across the world, with backgrounds in psychology and medicine, who came to Arusha, Tanzania to volunteer. During our time here, we witnessed firsthand the profound impact that period poverty has on girls’ education, health, and safety.
The Problem
Many schoolgirls in Tanzania miss days, even weeks, of school every month because they don’t have access to sanitary pads. On top of this, the stigma surrounding menstruation and the lack of safe, private facilities to wash reusable pads make managing their periods even more difficult.
Out of desperation, some girls are coerced into dangerous situations, engaging in prostitution with older men or tuk-tuk drivers for as little as 3,000 Tanzanian shillings, barely €1, just to afford a pack of pads that costs around 2,500 shillings (€0.86).
This exposes them to sexual violence, HIV, unintended pregnancy, and even death, robbing them not only of their education but also of their dignity, safety, health, and childhood.
Our Solution
With your support, we can break this cycle through a combination of reusable pads, education, awareness, and psychosocial support.
Why Reusable Pads Are Better:
- Cost-effective: One pad kit lasts up to 10 months
- Hygienic: Made from hypoallergenic fabrics
- Eco-friendly: Less waste than disposable pads
- Reliable: Girls can manage their periods without missing school
- Backup: Each pack contains 4 pads, so the girls always have a clean one even if they can’t wash one at school.
The Pads We Provide:
- Brand: Najali Re-usable Pads (KiAfrika)
- Price: 1 pack = TZS 12,000 ( around €4.10 / $4.80 / £3.56)
- Contents: 4 reusable pads, 2 carry pouches, 1 leaflet + period tracker calendar
- Usage: Lasts up to 10 months, providing girls with consistent menstrual protection
Beyond Pads:
Our program also:
- Conducts menstrual health education and workshops in schools
- Raises awareness about hygiene and reproductive health
- Challenges and reduces the stigma surrounding menstruation
How Your Donation Helps
- €5 → Provides 1 pad kit for one girl for at least a year
- €25 → Provides 5 pad kits
- €50 → Provides 10 pad kits
Funds will be used directly and only to purchase pads from KiAfrika online. Pads will then be received by a trusted local partner, who will distribute them to schools across Tanzania, ensuring they reach the girls who need them most. Some of the areas where our outreach and pads will be distributed include, but are not limited to, Arusha, Moshi, Manyara, Dodoma, and Dar es Salaam.
All advocacy, education, awareness campaigns, and school visits carried out by our team are completely volunteer-led and do not use any donor funds. Your contribution goes entirely to providing pads, while we handle the outreach and education free of charge.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
Every donation helps keep girls safe, healthy, and in school, ensuring that a period never stands in the way of a girl’s education, dignity, or safety.
We are committed to full transparency, sharing updates, photos, and reports so you can see exactly how your generosity is changing lives.
With your help, we can provide these girls with the resources, education, and support they need to thrive, because no girl should have to risk her future for something as basic as menstrual hygiene.
Can’t donate? You can still make a difference, share this campaign!
With gratitude,
Irene Bisori, Ludovica Criserà, Solune Moll, Cecilie Sanggaard, Ellie Bentley, Floremie Huijs.
Organizer
Ludovica Crisera
Organizer
Rome, LZ