a3b883ef-0dfa-4acd-92f2-cda08a60edbe-d0346fa6

Short Story

During my study as a community medical officer at Njala university, every Monday and Friday we were asked to go to the hospital for practical’s. Then I noticed that most young girls coming for family planning had little or no knowledge about basic hygiene practices. Also, as a young girl growing up, I learnt that women and girls in rural communities use old rags, animal dumps, leaves or the use of double pants to manage their menstrual flow. With this, we thought of developing a local pad made from cotton, micro-fabric and waterproof layer to replace these items and prevent infections. Our product is a hygienically approved, affordable and reusable made with high-quality materials which responds to customers tastes and preferences for self-comfort and personal hygiene. The product can be used for a period of two years due to the high absorbent material made of it. Thus, the girls will be able to attend school without worrying about menses and through this project there will be a significant reduction of girl-parent dependency for sanitary towels every month.

SHECURE SANITARY PRODUCT

by Mariatu Kanu Tags : health, Hygiene, Products, Sanitary, Well-being, Women, Young girls

  • USD 98,000

    Funding Goal

  • USD 0

    Funds Raised

  • 66

    Days to go

  • Target Goal

    Campaign End Method
Raised Percent :
0%
Minimum amount is USD20 Maximum amount is USD5000
USD
Bombali, Sierra Leone

Mariatu Kanu

8 Campaigns | 0 Loved campaigns

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Lack of access to safe, affordable, reusable and environment conscious menstrual products for women in rural communities in Sierra Leone. Lack of menstrual education for adolescents and women.

OUR SOLUTION

  • To  manufacture reusable eco-friendly sanitary pads that are made from a high absorbent microfiber material.
  • A short description note/illustration book written by us to guide them on its use and SRH 
  • To provide facilitation trainings for Community Based Organization
  • Currently working on a mobile app that will help customers with reading materials on SRH, ask questions and a  provision for feedback if necessary

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM?

Menstrual hygiene affects women across the world, but it is widely misunderstood and the topic is often considered a taboo in our communities. It is very important as it reduces mental and emotional stress during menstrual periods at school. The girls have difficulties concentrating on learning as they concentrate on their condition, the difficulties in maintaining standard of hygiene, due to inadequate facilities available in some schools such as toilet, water, privacy room, disposable pit. These pads along with the education will help them to be comfortable and safe

WHY ARE WE CROWDFUNDING?

We have begun selling our products and we wish to keep increasing its influence/supply across chiefdoms.

  • Scale-up
  • Health and Wellbeing

  • Crowdfunding is primarily used by startups to build their businesses, we have begun selling our product and wish to keep increasing its influence/supply across chiefdoms.

    • To  manufacture reusable eco-friendly sanitary pads that are made from a high absorbent microfiber material.
    • A short description note/illustration book written by us to guide them on its use and SRH 
    • To provide facilitation trainings for Community Based Organization
    • Currently working on a mobile app that will help customers with reading materials on SRH, ask questions and a  provision for feedback if necessary

  • Menstrual hygiene affects women across the world, but it is widely misunderstood and the topic is often considered a taboo in our communities. It is very important as it reduces mental and emotional stress during menstrual periods at school. The girls have difficulties concentrating on learning as they concentrate on their condition, the difficulties in maintaining standard of hygiene, due to inadequate facilities available in some schools such as toilet, water, privacy room, disposable pit. These pads along with the education will help them to be comfortable and safe

  • Our business is a social company that produces high quality washable pads at low cost targeting more than 200 people every month to solve the problem of period poverty. It has a huge social impact on community and youth unemployment. Our intervention creates a support system for women and girls and contributes to reduction of maternal death rate in the country by preparing the next generation to be health minded through our products and services. 

    With this fund, we can have more micro fabric materials, waterproof layers, a mobile app and establish sales centers in other districts in Sierra Leone. This will enable us to get and use technology  along with other training equipment. It will also help us train and employ staff, especially women as they are our priority. 

  • Our team consists of:

    Mariatu G. Kanu (founder and CEO)

     

    A community health officer who has been working with adolescent girls in the adolescent friendly Centre for about three (3) years.

     

    Hawa Alpha An educationist and our finance officer with (two) 2 years working experience.

     

    Jeneba Barrie: A Seamstress and a single mother with experience in sewing. Tawa Vandi: A professional Seamstress  for (ten) 10 years 

    Amara Ansumana: A professional Tailor in all cutting model style

    Aminata Kanu: Our outreach focal person

     

    Dr. Jalloh from Makeni Regional Hospital: Advisor and a point of referral for any issue with our product.

     

  • SLE 98,000
  • Bombali, Sierra Leone
  • https://www.facebook.com/100066192172218/posts/216675810548823/?d=n
  • 78033655
  • a3b883ef-0dfa-4acd-92f2-cda08a60edbe-d0346fa6
    a3b883ef-0dfa-4acd-92f2-cda08a60edbe-d0346fa6
    Girls reading our guide and support others in schools
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