Period Poverty
If you’ve ever spent any time around a four-year-old child you might have noticed that they question EVERYTHING.
“We’re going to the store.”
“But why?”
“It’s time for bed.”
“But why?”
It makes you want to scream, “Because I said so!” or “Just because…”
But it’s through persistent questioning that we learn.
Unfortunately, that innocent questioning goes away with age, when really it is something we should all do. We need to continually question why something is so we can make positive changes.
This is what we are doing at the Children’s Legacy Partnership Foundation as we work to get at the root causes of poverty. It’s called “The 5 Whys strategy.”
What I’m talking about this week is going to be uncomfortable for some of you. Something that affects girls all over the world in developing countries, but also in the U.S. and most likely in your community.
Period Poverty
Ester can’t support herself and her children.
Why? She has no skills to get a job or start a business.
Why? She had to drop out of school
Why? She got too far behind in her studies
Why? She was absent 25% of the time
Why? She had no pads during her period and had to stay home
And there’s the cause of why Ester and her young children are living in poverty. She is in the same cycle of poverty her mother and grandmother were in.
You might imagine how Ester felt when she failed her 7th grade leaving exams. This meant she couldn’t advance to high school. Education is a lifeline out of poverty in Uganda. That lifeline slipped out of Ester’s hands.
First, Ester felt shame. Then disappointment. She wanted an education so she could become a nurse. Ester’s shame and disappointment were quickly followed by fear. She knew that she would most likely become a victim of forced early marriage and teen pregnancy. Now at the age of 18, Ester has two children.
For me, and maybe for you, it’s hard to believe that this is still a problem in the 21st century. In a world where so many have every convenience at their fingertips.
These girls are just like us and our daughters. They have the same hopes and dreams for themselves, and their children.
The good news is that this is something we- you and I - can fix!! There is a simple solution. Reusable pads and a period supply kit.
One of our programs is bringing reproductive health education and reusable pads to schools and communities.
Girls learning to sew their own reusable pads at Buwanume School & young mothers in Namisambiya community who lack period supplies. These girls all had to drop out of school.
Thanks to a generous donor, we now have the funds to get an overlock sewing machine to make more durable pads and make them faster.
We are creating kits that will include 6 disposable pads, a vinyl case, a small wash bucket and soap, and three pairs of underwear. Yes, underwear. The girls don’t have those either.
I hope you are still with me because there are 2 things you can do today to help.
One, spread awareness by talking to others about this issue. Yes, it’s uncomfortable but think about the power you have to lift girls out of poverty.
Two, make a donation. $25 can supply one girl with a kit. If a lesser amount is what you can give, you can donate to our community project. Even a $1 makes a difference.
You can also help in your community by donating period supplies to your local food bank, homeless shelter, women’s shelter, and local middle and high school. This is a problem for some girls in the U.S. too.
Look, we can help solve this problem for many, many girls, and we can do it pretty quickly. We just need the funds to make it happen.
March is Women’s History Month. In 31 days let’s raise enough to get period supplies to 400 girls!
Yes, that's $10,000! I know it’s an AUDACIOUS idea. But those are the ones that make a difference.
A powerful quote that has always stuck with me is from Lily Tomlin.
“I always wondered why someone doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I am that someone.”
We can all be THAT SOMEONE today and help girls like Ester. We are so powerful when we work together!
With Gratitude,
Mary
P.S. If you are as fired up about this issue as I am and want to help, let me know. I have ideas that can help you with fundraising and bringing awareness to others.
