Pads, Power, and Possibility For Girls in Uganda

When a group of young volunteers in Yumbe, Uganda launched My menstrual health, my right, they did so with a bold vision: to challenge stigma and give girls the resources they need to thrive in school and beyond. With determination and limited means, they began producing eco-friendly, reusable menstrual pads and leading open conversations about menstrual hygiene, confronting harmful cultural beliefs that marked menstruation as shameful.

As project lead Jimmy Kosa explained, “The girls were happy when we told them menstruation is a normal body change and no one should be bullied for it; instead, they should be supported.”

This grassroots initiative quickly grew into a lifeline for more than 140 students who gained not only access to menstrual health products, but also the confidence to face school days without fear.

The Pollination Project grant became the foundation on which this effort could stand stronger. With TPP’s support, the team purchased vital equipment (a semi-industrial sewing machine, an over-lock sewing machine, and a snap button press) that will serve the community for decades. These tools enabled the production of 300 durable pads, distributed through “School Kits” that included pads, underwear, and a carry bag.

Beyond supplies, volunteers delivered menstrual health training in three schools, sparking conversations that began to shift community mindsets.

“I am deeply grateful for TPP for trusting us at an early stage of our work,” said Jimmy. “This has helped validate our work and we are now set to achieve bigger community development.”

By transforming grant dollars into tangible impact, the project ensured that young women could attend classes with dignity, resilience, and a renewed sense of empowerment.

The initiative is determined to expand its reach. The team plans to continue school-based trainings each term, broaden distribution of the reusable pad kits, and extend education to families and community leaders in order to dismantle harmful taboos. They also aim to secure funding for the construction of sanitary facilities, an essential step to fully support menstrual hygiene in schools.

With the foundation laid by The Pollination Project grant and the commitment of local volunteers, My menstrual health, my right is poised to advance both women’s health and the empowerment of an entire generation.

Jimmy Kosa

Kosa Jimmy is the executive director of Pentium Health Care Development Group, a Community Based Organization in Yumbe, Uganda. Since its inception in May 2018, Pentium Health Care Development Group has made significant impacts in the community:

1. Pentium Health Care Clinic: Located in Yumbe, Uganda, the clinic has increased access to healthcare in the community, reduced morbidity and mortality rates among children and mothers, and improved the quality of life for the people of Yumbe through the provision of quality health care.
2. Ebola Awareness Campaign Yumbe 2022: His community remained Ebola-free from the time the Ebola outbreak was declared in Uganda on September 20, 2022, until January 14, 2023, when Uganda was declared Ebola-free.
3. COVID-19 Prevention and Control 2020/2021: The initiative increased the community’s knowledge about COVID-19, reduced the cross-infection rate, and fostered a positive attitude towards COVID-19 prevention and control measures.

Join The Pollination Project in seeding a global movement of grassroots change. When we invest in passionate local leaders, small acts of generosity blossom into lasting impact. Every dollar you give takes root in communities, growing into sustainable solutions that touch countless lives.