Provide REUSABLE SANITARY PADS for Tanzanian girls

Hi! My name is Patricia Minter-Powell. I'm an educator at Immaculate Heart Central in Watertown, NY and a passionate advocate of girls' education - especially in rural areas of developing countries like Tanzania where only 1 out of every 4 girls continues her education past sixth grade.

Over the past several years I've had the privilege of visiting the Kitenga Girls Secondary School (KGSS) located in just such an area, and of witnessing first-hand the impact of education on young women fortunate enough to continue their schooling.

The reality faced by those unable to afford a secondary education is bleak: an abrupt end to childhood often leading to an arranged marriage where the cycle of poverty, early and multiple pregnancies, exposure to HIV, and dangerous on-going cultural practices like FGM still prevail.

Yet, the young women lucky enough to attend the Kitenga Girls Secondary School still confront obstacles. The goal of this "gofundmecampaign" is to address a very real but easily surmountable challenge: obtaining reusable feminine hygiene pads - a cost effective, environmentally friendly alternative to disposable products.

We recently surveyed the students at Kitenga to determine who would use washable pads if they were available. The results? 96% of the student body said "YES, please!"

As a frequent visitor I've witnessed first-hand the promise and the progress of this amazing school ( its enrollment has risen from an inaugural class of 32 to almost 300 ) and consequently, am also able to share boots-on-the-ground reports of the KGSS with friends, family and my own students here in the USA.

I've also witnessed the generosity of these same individuals towards supporting these hard-working young women through school supplies, infrastructure improvements and most recently tuition assistance.

Today, I hope to reach an even larger audience of those interested in girls' education and its many challenges in developing countries.

If you'd like to support this campaign and wish to contribute financially please know that a donation of only $6.15 will sponsor a menstrual kit, washing bucket and soap for a student. OR...

If you can't make a financial donation perhaps you'd consider supporting the girls by helping us SPREAD THE WORD through your social media or directly to friends and family. Either way you choose to make a difference means you just have!

THE FACTS:

Our fundraising goal: To provide an *enhanced Salama Pad Sanitary Kit to each student at the KGGS who has indicated a preference for reusable pads. (* We are purchasing additional kits to be able to provide 7 rather than the included 5 pads per kit.)

How your financial gift will be used:

100% of your donation will support not only the purchase of these pads but additional hygiene supplies needed for laundering the pads: Think personal washing buckets and soap!

Our product of choice and the reasons for its selection:

Salama Pads manufactured by WomenChoice Industries, Tanzania

(To find out more about these pads we invite you to visit:

womenchoice.co.tz)

How your funds will be administered:

All donations will be forwarded to the IHSA (Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa) C/O Sr. Agnes, IHSA Generalate, Musoma, TZ and earmarked for this specific purpose.

Breakdown of TOTAL PROJECT COSTS:

244 Reusable Salama Sanitary Kits: Cost: $706

Shipping costs from manufacturer direct to school: $481

Purchase of sanitary buckets (one per recipient) : $244

Laundering soap: $69

Total project cost: $1500

THANK YOU SO MUCH for your help in funding an ESSENTIAL but often overlooked need of young women in developing countries. Together, we can make a VERY real difference in the lives of these young women.

Please make checks payable to:

Patricia Minter-Powell

C/O Immaculate Heart Central School

1316 Ives St. Road

Watertown, NY 13601

Please include on notation line: Salama pads for KGSS