Educate & Give voice to HODI Girls in North Kenya

General update about where we work

1. Covid19 pandemic in Kenya:

Since our last report in July, we have had an increase of 17,850 cases bringing the total to 34,493. Over the last week, it seems that the numbers are falling and we had 178 cases on September 3, 2020. In total, there have been 581 deaths in Kenya as a result of the pandemic. Schools are still closed until January 2021.

2. Security situation in Marsabit:

Since July 7, 2020, we have only had three confirmed situations with only 2 people wounded. Generally, it is peaceful in Marsabit at this time.

Activity update
We have managed to distribute 48 sanitary kits to girls from vulnerable backgrounds so far. The kits contain one of each of the following items:

• Washing and bathing soap
• Body lotion
• Hair oil
• Reusable menstrual pad

We started to distribute the sanitary kits on August 21 and will continue to distribute them. With the donations we have received for this project this year, we have managed to purchase 96 kits. We are left with 48 kits to distribute for now. We will keep purchasing more as donations are received.

Among the items contained in the kit is a reusable pad which helps to cut the costs of sanitary towels for girls from underprivileged backgrounds. The advantages include the ability to use them for upto a year if properly maintained and ease of cleaning. The disadvantages are that they are comparatively expensive and a lack of general knowledge on how to use them as compared to regular disposable pads.

During distribution, we also taught the beneficiaries how to use the reusable pads contained in the kits. This includes how to wear them, how to wash them with clean warm water and soap and how best to dry them once washed. We advised the beneficiaries to ensure the pads are hung in sunlight for proper drying.

Here below are some direct quotes from the parents and guardians of the recipients of the kits:

“May God bless you all, and add more of what you give. Keep on remembering us everywhere”.

“May God give you more than what you give and we are grateful for this little gift and big ones will come soon”.

Here is a direct quote from a girl who received the kit:
“Thank you. This is really going to help me, especially the reusable pad.”

We are currently on the lookout for someone who can train us on how to make the reusable pads at our office in Marsabit. Because we already have the sewing machines and personnel in place, we will be able to significantly bring down the cost of a reusable pad and reach more girls with the sanitary kits.