Taking Stock of Year 2021
In 2021, our mission ‘No school day should be missed due to lack of menstrual products’ fuelled our daily efforts to bridge period poverty.
- February 2021, marked the beginning of our journey in helping young girls experiencing period poverty. We held our first ground work in Kajiado County, Kenya in partnership with Heart 4service. The turnout for our Daughter and Guardian workshop was amazing hence it made us put in extra effort in our support for other young girls in Kenya.
- April 2021, we partnered with Global Vision achievers and Rafiki wa Mtaa who made our first visit to Kibra very memorable because it felt like home. We got to engage with teen mothers in Kibra under a project dubbed Mamito run by Global Vision Achievers.
- May 2021, we celebrated our first Menstrual Hygiene Day in Machakos county with young girls and boys from Kondo village. It turned out just like we had envisioned and we believe 2022 it will be bigger and better.
- June 2021, together with our partner Lotasi we held a mentorship session for young boys and girls under Hearts4Service umbrella who transitioned from primary school to secondary school. The main topic of discussion was Mental Wellbeing.
- October 2021, we marked International Day of Girl Child in Nyeri county. Our Period Stories host, Wangui Maina was also celebrated by her community members for bringing this noble cause to her village.
In all the workshop we have held, we get to speak to young girls and their guardians about sustainable menstruation and menstrual hygiene management. We also educate them on the various menstrual products options available that will in turn help them make informed menstrual choices.
Project Somesha credits itself for being a conversation starter and this mirrors itself in our Period Stories Series where we get to discuss menstruation and memorable moments with our guests. In 2021, we filmed eight episodes drawing from diverse guests within Kenya and beyond. One of the episodes that stood out for us was hosting a virtual discussion where South Africa, Kenya, Spain and Greece were represented to discuss the evolving conversation in menstrual hygiene management. See video
We close year 2021, having donated a total of 70 menstrual cups, 4620 pads and 329 panties. We are grateful for the young girls, guardians, partners and donors who have collectively assisted in this journey. We draw the strength to continue with our passion in advocacy and on ground work to bridging period poverty gap from all of you.
If your wish to donate to Project Somesha, please see MPESA details; Lipa na Mpesa Till 5969269