The women and girls of Olgilai Primary School.

Free Period Project STL is going global! We have recently gotten the incredible opportunity to work with a primary school in Kenya. The Olgilai Primary School is located in Narok County (Narok south sub-county) majimoto/Naroosa ward, Naroosa location and sub Oloirowua location. There are 347 girls that attend this school, and they are all in need of menstrual hygiene products. 

Narok County and the Olgilai school area have recently experienced prolonged periods of drought. This has caused a plethora of issues for the residents. The area heavily relies on farming and agriculture for profit, and the drought has made that impossible. Many are experiencing poverty, coupled with malnutrition, and extreme thirst. 

Accessing clean and safe menstrual products has continuously been a problem for people around the globe. Kenya experiences high rates of period poverty, with only 46% of women in rural areas having access to disposable products. There are reports of girls and women using mattresses, dirty towels, goat skins, and other makeshift materials to catch their menstrual blood, or just “free bleeding.” This may cause them to be unable to leave their homes during their cycle. These unhygienic items can cause infections that can sometimes be life threatening, along with many other issues. 

There is a large amount of stigmatization surrounding the menstrual cycle all over the world, and Kenya is no different. Girls are shamed by peers, or feel embarrassed of their bodies' natural function. Many girls are reported to be missing school due to their menstrual cycles (about 1/10 nationally). It is our goal to help the girls of Olgilai Primary School stay in school comfortably and happily during their menstrual periods. 

We hope to do this by providing the students with disposable pads, underwear, and other products. Many students are also in need of education surrounding how to hygienically deal with a menstrual cycle. We will only be able to achieve this with your help! Please consider donating using our link below. You can also sign up for newsletter updates regarding the Olgilai Primary School!