Two youths team up to save environment and girls’ dignity in tree planting and sanitary towel distribution drive
However, down the road on their mission, it became clear that there was a lot more that needed to be done to not only save the environment, but save the dignity of young, poor women without access to sanitary towels.
And so the dual mission of Sharon Kendi and Obadiah Tamah began.
The two started an environmental club to fight the effects of climate change and went about an ambitious plan of contacting forest agencies, organizations, and fellow clubs, requesting to obtain 10,000 tree seedlings. These seedlings were then planted across 25 schools, fostering a greener environment.
While engaged in their tree-planting exercises, Kendi and Tamah were confronted with another reality of the effects of poverty. They encountered a young girl who had accidentally soiled herself due to inability to buy proper sanitary pads. This distressing incident catalyzed their pad gifting initiative, which they decided to undertake alongside their environmental and conservation work.
Motivated by the urgent need to address menstrual hygiene challenges, the pair combined their efforts to raise funds during tree-planting activities, subsequently enabling them to purchase sanitary towels. Their initiative quickly gained momentum, attracting a team of passionate volunteers. Together, they have distributed 4,000 sanitary towels to young girls, obtained through donations from fellow students, lecturers, supermarkets and financial facilities.
Demonstrating their innovative thinking, the duo pioneered using sisal products to create sustainable, reusable, and hygienic sanitary towels. This approach ensures that more girlsl can access a reliable solution regardless of financial constraints.
Not content with stopping there, Kendi and Tamah initiated a project on garbage collection within the town. They identified 50 houses from which they collect litter every Wednesday, providing a cleaner and healthier environment for the community.
“What we are doing should serve as an inspiration, illustrating the power of young individuals to drive positive change within their communities. Simultaneously combating climate change through tree planting and addressing menstrual hygiene challenges through the pad gifting initiative,” the duo said.
