No more shame. No more lack of access. No more period poverty.
You may be asking yourself – what exactly is period poverty?
“Period poverty describes the struggle many low-income women and girls face while trying to afford menstrual products. The term also refers to the increased economic vulnerability women and girls face due the financial burden posed by menstrual supplies.” United Nations Population Fund.
“Growing up in Jamaica—access to essential materials like sanitary pads was a luxury. Most of what we had we needed to spend making sure we could eat or get to school. By the end of the month, we couldn’t afford sanitary pads. We would use paper, cardboard—and a range of other things to meet our needs.” Help A Girl Out
This personal experience of the founder prompted the creation of Help A Girl Out in 2018. Since then, HAGO has delivered thousands of hygiene materials to women and girls. Across Canada, and around the world.
Over the summer months, we teamed up with HAGO with Food For The Poor Jamaica and to get this project started. Together, we were able to donate 271 hygiene kits to girls in Jamaica. The kits arrived by boat on June 23, 2022.
Ten children’s homes benefited from this donation:
- St. Andrew Hostel
- Wortley Home for Girls
- Annie Dawson Children’s Home
- Maxfield Park Children’s Home
- Pringle Home for Children
- Yadel Home For Girls
- Summerfield Child Care Facility
- New Vision Children’s Home
- Montego Bay Community Home for Girls
- West Haven Home for the Disabled
The boxes contained a range of items in addition to the menstrual products:
- Menstrual products (tampons, cups, sanitary napkins)
- Skin care items
- Hair care items
- Undergarments
The donation was not only practical, but also educational. The recipients received some important education about female anatomy. Information on menstrual supplies, the importance of practicing proper menstrual hygiene, and the reproductive system.
Ms. Creary, Assistant Manager at one of the recipient homes, said it best.
“I am very elated about this donation for more than one reason; it educates the girls about their bodies and how to practice proper hygiene. Education is power, knowledge is power, and so this information will empower the girls to be more efficient and be more aware of their body and how to keep their bodies healthy. Sexual/reproductive health is very important, maybe one of the most important aspects of female healthcare.”
We wanted to share the words of one of the recipients of a kit to express to you how much your donation meant to them.
“To the donors, thank you all so much, you did not have to do this and yet still you did. God bless your hearts, and may your cup run over. Thank you for all that you have done for us and all the other Homes.”
Read more about healthcare projects that our donors and partners are making possible here and how you can help. https://foodforthepoor.ca/what-we-do/health/
