US Response Investigator

In Chapter 10 the organization FemCare, which is accompanied by Proctor & Gamble started their own project by distributing free pads in Africa, helping girls manage menstruation health. The goal was to find a way of getting more girls to attend high school. In Africa, girls typically reuse old rags during their period, which is unhealthy and can lead to sickness. The girls also try avoiding being embarrassed so they usually stay home until their time is over. FemCare took action, but when they did they ran into a problem while distributing pads to the girls in Africa. The girls needed a place to change their pads and clean up. Many of the schools didn’t have toilets, so FemCare decided to build toilets with running water. FemCare also built and installed small sealed incinerators near the new bathrooms. In some parts of Africa, it’s believed that one’s blood can be used to cast a spell, so the girls would fear to leave their bloody pads exposed. FemCare then took another step forward by teaching the school teachers how to literally burn the pads. In the future, FemCare plans on sending doctors and nurses to Africa four times a year to provide education on health problems, health education in general and to continue distributing pads. The mission involves a five year commitment to expand and continue the program in Africa. The program is giving the company of Proctor & Gamble the license to operate in Africa for all of its products. FemCare has also worked with a non-profit organization called, The Girl Child Network, giving pads to schoolgirls in Kenya as well.