When we first began working in Uganda at Byana Mary Hill Orphanage we noticed that many girls stopped attending school around the 5th grade.
This occurred whether the girls came from local village families or were orphans. It occurred across income levels. The girls were not dropping out to go to work or attend other schools.
After interviewing teachers and girls we found out that girls stopped attending school when they experienced started their menstrual cycles.
Upon returning to the US, the First Presbyterian Church of Logan, Utah started the Sew and Sews group which works year-round to sew washable pads. (Learn more about the Sew and Sews group here.) Once the pads are ready to go, we also buy knickers (underwear), soap and bags to hold all the materials. We visit villages and schools to talk about girl’s health and menstrual cycles. In addition we provide micro loans, sewing machines, and starter kits so communities can set up their own pad production businesses and use the proceeds to buy more materials to sew more pads. For information on how to make pads for this project, look at these instructions.