Reusable sanitary pads on washing line, Limbe, Malawi, 2016.
Luchenza, Malawi, 2016.
At Green Malata, schoolgirls like Tamanda (16) and Blessings (15), who cannot afford to buy The School Girl Pack receive them through donations.
Tamanda holds a reusable sanitary pad, Luchenza, Malawi, 2016.
The pads are sold for 2,500MK (about $3.50) in “The School Girl Pack” (three pads and a pair of underwear), in and around Luchenza and Blantyre.
Luchenza, Malawi, 2016.
Blessings is enthusiastic, especially about the freedom the reuseable pads have given her. “I always had to use cloth or something. When I had my period I was worried about going to school. I would stay at home. Now I can go to school and not worry.”.
Green Malata, Luchenza, Malawi, 2016.
The reusable pads are made by tailoring course graduates who have set up a business close to Green Malata Entrepreneurial training village.
Luchenza, Malawi, 2016.
Tamanda: “In the future, once I have completed my schooling, I would like to go to nursing college. So that I can help other young women. I want to teach them about their health.” Malawi, 2016.
Green Malata Entrepreneurial Training Village, Luchenza, Malawi, 2016.
The design of the pads is simple and tailoring students can learn how to make them in a week or two.
Once Green Malata students have completed the training course, they are offered employment opportunities in a nearby studio where the pads are made, Malawi, 2016.
Luchenza, Malawi, 2016.
At Green Malata, schoolgirls like Tamanda (16) and Blessings (15), who cannot afford to buy The School Girl Pack receive them through donations.
Luchenza, Malawi, 2016.
Luchenza, Malawi, 2016.
Tamanda had to get used to the reuseable pads, but now swears by them. “The first time it was difficult. I was not used to wearing them. But once I knew how, I realized that they were good. It is a good solution.” Malawi, 2016.