When Angela began her mission to support girls and women in marginalized communities with access to menstrual health products and education, she had humble aspirations.
Initially, the goal was to assist just three organisations, collectively serving fewer than 200 people. Little did she know the small initiative would blossom into a life-changing movement.
The Covid-19 pandemic proved to be a pivotal moment for the Heels4pads initiative. As the crisis unfolded, the demand for support surged, and so did the outpouring of generosity from the community. The original modest goal of providing menstrual pads for 15 girls quickly expanded as donations poured in. Angela and her team found themselves expanding their operations to meet the growing need.
To date, Heels4pads has become a beacon of hope for more than 24,000 beneficiaries, three-quarters of whom are girls.
"Each obstacle only strengthens our resolve."
“We’ve also been able to support persons with disabilities, teenage mothers, and girls as young as nine. We’ve reached 19 counties and are continuing to expand,” Angela says.
The initiative is set to transform the lives of 50,000 girls in Kenya over the next five years through its innovative pad dispenser project. This ambitious goal, Angela, says underscores the organisation’s commitment to addressing menstrual health and empowering vulnerable women.
“We have launched an initiative called “Heels for Pads.” Through the programme, we operate an active Instagram shop called @H4PXCHANGE, where customers can purchase shoes, with the proceeds supporting our cause,” she says.
The initiative connects single, teenage mothers, and vulnerable women to opportunities. The women are trained in various digital skills, including creating online shops, stock-taking, brand awareness, and photography. “They can either get employed or start their businesses after acquiring the skills,” Angela explains.
Angela acknowledges the challenges they face, such as cost increases and logistics issues. “Each obstacle only strengthens our resolve,” she says.
– By Mercy Simiyu
