Impact & Stories

The Days I Stayed Home

Every month, when her period came, 12-year-old Wanjiku knew she would miss school.

Her family could barely afford food, let alone sanitary pads. Sometimes, she used pieces of old cloth, but she was always afraid they might leak. Rather than risk the embarrassment of staining her uniform in class, she stayed home until her period ended.

When she returned to school, her classmates had already moved on to new topics. She borrowed notes, tried to catch up, and promised herself she would do better next time. But the missed lessons began showing in her grades.

One day, her teacher returned a maths test. Wanjiku stared at the marks, disappointed. She had studied, but she had missed the lesson where the class learned how to solve some of the questions.

A few weeks later, a local girls’ programme began providing sanitary pads at her school. Wanjiku collected hers quietly and slipped them into her bag.

The next time her period came, she put on her uniform, packed her books, and went to class.

It wasn’t a miracle. She still struggled with some subjects, and she still had to study hard. But this time, she was there for the lessons.

By the end of the term, her grades had started improving.

“For Wanjiku, the difference was simple: she could finally attend school without worrying about how she would manage her period.”

No girl should have to miss an education because she cannot afford sanitary pads. Period poverty doesn’t just affect a girl’s health; it can take away valuable days of learning, month after month.

“As a teacher, you begin to notice patterns. There were girls in my class who would attend school regularly for weeks, then suddenly miss two or three days. When they returned, they would struggle to catch up with notes, assignments and topics the rest of the class had already covered.

At first, I didn’t fully understand what was happening. Some girls were too embarrassed to explain why they were absent, while others would quietly ask to leave class or sit through lessons looking uncomfortable. Eventually, I learned that some of them could not afford sanitary pads and had no reliable way to manage their periods at school.

It was difficult knowing that these girls wanted to learn but were missing valuable lessons because of something they could not control. A girl could study hard for an exam, miss a few days during her period, and return to find that the class had moved on without her. Over time, those missed lessons could affect her confidence and her grades.

Since the sanitary pad dispensers were installed, we have started seeing a difference. Girls have a more reliable way to access pads when they need them, and there has been an improvement in attendance among girls who previously struggled during their periods. They are also participating more confidently in class instead of worrying about whether they have the supplies they need.

“What stands out to me is that this is not simply about providing sanitary pads. It is about giving girls a fair chance to learn, participate and perform to their full potential.”

As a teacher, seeing girls come to school, keep up with their work and focus on their education is what makes this intervention meaningful. Sometimes, removing one barrier can make a difference that lasts far beyond the classroom.”

A small shop with big hopes

Caroline Wanjeri has run her shoe business in Githurai 44 for two years. Every morning, she arranges her stock, greets her regular customers, and hopes that today will be better than yesterday.

Like many small-business owners, Caroline knows how to work hard. What she needed was a boost: fresh stock to fill her shelves and keep her customers coming back.

The right training, the right tools

Caroline joined the Empower Her business accelerator, where she learned how to manage stock, price her goods, track sales, and plan for growth. The training gave her practical skills, but she still needed capital to put what she learned into practice.

This week, that changed.

Caroline received a business kit: a fresh supply of shoes chosen to match what her customers want. For the first time in a while, her shelves were full.

What it means for Caroline

She was grateful, but more than that, she was hopeful. More stock means more choices for her customers. More choices mean more sales. More sales mean she can reinvest, expand, and build something lasting.

“This is not just about shoes,” she said. “It is about keeping my business alive and giving my family a better future.”

Why this matters

At Empower Her, we believe that when a woman gets training and the right tools, her work speaks for her. Caroline is proof of that. She already had the determination. We simply helped clear the path.

“…and let her own works praise her.”
— Proverbs 31:31