BloomBells Charity Brings Dignity and Hope to Girls Facing Period Poverty

The community has historically avoided discussing menstrual health due to cultural beliefs, leading to stigma and forcing many girls out of school.

Mawego Mixed Primary School pupils pose for a group photo with Ms Juster Kagendi, Co-founder BloomBells Charity after receiving a donation of sanitary towels from the charity. PHOTO/BloomBells Charity.
  • Eamonn Maguire, Chairman and Founder of BloomBells Charity, highlights how period poverty continues to block the path of countless promising girls in Kenya’s rural regions, preventing them from advancing in their education.
  • Since the start of the year, the organisation has been actively visiting schools in Tharaka Nithi and Homa Bay counties, providing essential sanitary towels and menstrual health education to girls in need.
  • By giving Sandra and her classmates the essential resources they need, BloomBells is helping transform a narrative of missed school days, anxiety, and broken dreams into a story of hope, potential, and empowerment.

“I know that I’m not alone in this struggle. Every month, I miss days of school because I can’t manage my period well. I have no pads, and the fear of sitting in class without any protection – of being shamed as ‘dirty’ – is a burden I can’t bear,” shares Sandra, a Grade 6 learner at Oluti Primary School in Homa Bay County.

Sandra is the sixth child in a family of seven and the first to reach Grade 6. She is her family’s hope for a brighter future, a chance they never had. Her two older sisters, once filled with similar dreams, had to drop out of school in Grade 5.

“They couldn’t stay because we couldn’t afford what we needed – especially during that time of the month. They left school, and now one works long hours in the sand pits while the other was married off,” she recounts with sadness.

She describes her village as a place where poverty hangs heavy, and the topic of period poverty is shrouded in silence. Most girls in her community face the same struggles, and many are falling behind because of it.

“Period poverty doesn’t just make us miss school; it robs us of our confidence, our belief that we can achieve more than working in the sand pits. It’s as if the world is telling us that we’re not equal, that we’re less.

All I want is a chance to prove myself, to become someone who can change my family’s fortunes and bring hope to my village. But until we stop whispering about periods as if they are a curse, girls like me will continue to be left behind. All I ask for is a little support, for someone to hear our story and recognise that, like all children, we deserve the right to learn,” Sandra pleads.

Ms Juster Kagendi, (left), Co-founder BloomBells Charity, hands over menstrual health products to Oluti Primary School Head Teacher Rebecca Akoko. PHOTO/BloomBells Charity.

Despite the challenges, Sandra’s love for school burns brightly, and her aspirations stretch far beyond her village. She dreams of going to university, and show her sisters that it’s possible to dream again.

“My head teacher, Madam Rebecca Akoko, tells me I have great potential, and I hold on to her words. I dream of a life where being a girl isn’t a barrier to my education, where none of us have to miss out,” she says with quiet determination.

On October 23, 2024, BloomBells Charity, an organisation passionately committed to ending period poverty in rural Kenya, visited Mawego Mixed, Sang’oro, Obuya and Oluti Primary Schools and witnessed firsthand the harsh reality of Sandra’s struggle, as well as that of many other girls in the community. Their visit went beyond a simple outreach – it was a lifeline of support and hope.

Eamonn Maguire, Chairman and Founder of BloomBells Charity, highlights how period poverty continues to block the path of countless promising girls in Kenya’s rural regions, preventing them from advancing in their education.

“The lack of menstrual health care and education has always led to embarrassment, low self-esteem, and missed learning days for these girls.

Through direct action, partnerships, and advocacy, BloomBells is making tangible differences in rural schools, fostering an environment where menstrual health is openly discussed and addressed,” he stated.

Ms. Juster Kagendi, Co-founder of BloomBells Charity, emphasised the organisation’s belief that a girl’s education should never be disrupted by her period.

“That’s why we started this initiative – to provide sanitary towels to school-going girls, ensuring that students like Sandra don’t miss out on learning. Our goal is to keep girls in the classroom, no matter their economic or family circumstances,” Ms. Kagendi explained.

The Headteacher of Obuya Comprehensive School, Mr John Agutu and BloomBells Charity Co-Founder Juster Kagendi after signing a partnership agreement. In the agreement, the charity will build a two-door pit latrine and a water harvesting system at the school. PHOTO/BloomBells Charity.

By giving Sandra and her classmates the essential resources, they need, BloomBells Charity is helping transform a narrative of missed school days, anxiety, and broken dreams into a story of hope, potential, and empowerment.

Mrs. Rebecca Akoko, the Headteacher of Oluti Primary School, praised the impact BloomBells Charity has had on her students.

“Sandra’s determination to show her sisters that they can still dream is no longer just a wishful thought,” said Mrs. Akoko. “As a school, we owe a debt of gratitude to organisations like BloomBells Charity. Her ambition to reach university and prove that ‘being a girl’ isn’t a disadvantage is now within reach.”

Mr. Wycliffe Ogallo, head teacher at Mawego Mixed Comprehensive School, praises BloomBells Charity for addressing a long-ignored issue. He notes that many bright girls have missed school days, and some have even skipped critical end-term and end-year exams due to a lack of menstrual products.

Ogallo admits that the community has historically avoided discussing menstrual health due to cultural beliefs, leading to stigma and forcing many girls out of school.

He acknowledges the heavy responsibility BloomBells has taken on, working to break this silence and support girls in staying in school. Through education and the provision of menstrual products, the organisation is closing a gap that has existed for generations.

Stephen Misori, General Secretary of BloomBells’ Board of Trustees, emphasises that the organisation’s impact goes far beyond distributing menstrual products.

“We are creating an environment where girls can stay in school, pursue their education, and envision a future not limited by period poverty,” he says.

Mr Stephen Misori, General Secretary BloomBells Charity Board of Trustees. He says that the organisation’s impact goes far beyond distributing menstrual products. PHOTO/BloonBells Charity.

For girls like Sandra, who face the dual challenges of family expectations and financial hardship, BloomBells’ support is a lifeline.

Misori notes that Sandra’s story highlights the real difference the organisation is making, ensuring education remains accessible and that no girl’s potential is hindered by a lack of menstrual resources.

The charity is making significant strides in its mission to end period poverty in rural Kenya. Since the start of the year, the organisation has been actively visiting schools in Tharaka Nithi, and Homa Bay counties, providing essential sanitary towels and menstrual health education to girls in need.

These efforts are not only about providing supplies—BloomBells is committed to restoring confidence and dignity among young girls, essential for their academic success. So far, the charity has adopted seven schools and distributed nearly 9,000 sanitary towels.

At Obuya Comprehensive School, in Homa Bay County, the organisation is also investing in infrastructure to promote better hygiene and sanitation. A modern two-door pit latrine is under construction, alongside a water harvesting system, to ensure sustainable water access.

Other schools benefiting from BloomBells’ initiatives include Rukurini, Nkundi, Ng’onya, and Kibung’a SDA in Tharaka Nithi County.

With every visit, BloomBells is breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation and ensuring that no girl has to compromise her education due to a lack of menstrual products. Their work continues to bring hope to girls like Sandra, whose dreams of uninterrupted schooling are slowly becoming a reality.

BloomBells Charity Board of Trustees members at a consultative meeting in Nairobi. The charity is making strides to end period poverty. PHOTO/BloomBells Charity.

Ms. Amina Nyaga, a director at BloomBells Charity, is urging communities to have open conversations about menstrual health. She believes that the stigma surrounding menstruation is keeping many girls out of school, as it remains a taboo topic in many areas.

Her call for change is echoed by Ms. Milka Mukami, a lead Menstrual Health Educator and board member at BloomBells, who highlights the organisation’s efforts to combat these barriers through education and support.

The Charity is working to dismantle the shame and stigma tied to menstruation by creating BloomBells Clubs in schools. These clubs, managed by school matrons, provide a safe space for girls to learn about menstrual health.

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During school visits, the organisation distributes essential menstrual health products and offers comprehensive education to empower girls to manage their periods with confidence.

The organisation’s efforts aim to ensure that girls can attend school without fear or shame, addressing the struggles faced by many, like Sandra, who has often missed school due to a lack of menstrual products.

The organisation is making tangible strides towards keeping girls in classrooms and breaking the cycle of period poverty. Those who wish to support BloomBells’ mission can visit their website at www.bloombells.org or contribute to their efforts via Mchanga at https://www.mchanga.africa/fundraiser/104803.

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1 COMMENT

  1. Congrats MDM Juster , the very able co-founder BLOOMBELS; Mr Steve Misori _ the cornerstone General secretary et al. Thanks so much for identifying yourself with these needy girls! Much blessings please!!

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