A Post from the Founder

Earlier when the organization was founded, I was running a sanitary pad drive to help girls stay in school, which involved collecting sanitary pads and underwears and distributing them to girls in schools in rural Siaya region.

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A friend, not being aware that this was still a challenge in rural regions in Kenya, asked me why I would want to gift girls sanitary pads. She seemed surprised that most of  girls would miss school for atleast four days a month during their menstruation because of lack of pads.

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Menstrual cycles are biological occurences. Sanitary pads are absolutely necessary to girls and women experiencing menstruation. Unfortunately, pads are not freely available like in most developed countries. Girls and women from poor backgrounds experience a challenge in accessing sanitary pads.​

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As someone from a humble family background, who grew up in the village, I understand such challenges. Growing up, I had to use stuffed socks and rags to sustain the flow. While menstrual care is a basic need, many girls experience sad realities. 

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Menstruation and sexuality topics are still a taboo topic in Kenya, especially rural regions. In my case, for example, no one talked to me about them. As such, I wasn't prepared for the menstruation. Nobody ever asked if I needed pads.  Unfortunately that Knowledge gap still exists in the rural areas. One of the main goals of Bebea Community Organisation is to address this challenge by creating awareness about menstrual care by reaching out to less fortunate girls in the rural schools and providing them with informatio, sanitary pads and underwears.