Re: Pads: Thanks and Mwende!/copy to Jimmy and Cathy (also active on this issue)

[Guest guest]

Janet,Mwende and All, Im glad to note Mwende is pursuing negotiations with Ford and Rock regarding this issue.And im optimistic there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Janet, im going to liaise with Jimmy and as they search for alternative sanitary products. Wow! what an outstanding remark for mama,who has been inspirational and role model. With thanks, Njoroge Janet Feldman <kaippg@...> wrote: Hello Dearest Mwende, , and All!! Thank you both for your wonderful letters, and terrific that Ford and Rock are looking into this issue...as well as having our intrepid reporter (she of the intellectual prowess!!) on the case. There was a recent posting here about trade unions in ZW importing pads, too, so the issue is one on many people's minds, and action is taking place. You'll be happy to know that a young man in Kenya named Jimmy Ouma, an artist and activist, and Canadian educator and puppeteer Stubington--who I linked together last year when was visiting Nairobi--are actively working on this and finding out about various alternative sanitary products, plus

discussing locally-created products, doing outreach to large companies for donations of products (until a business might get going), and engaging a number of folks in Canada and Kenya who are working together to meet the challenge. I have sent them the posts of Didi and , as well as the one abt papyrus being used to make products (which Chifu posted here) and the one abt the ZW trade unions. They have followed up with Didi, I believe, and I will keep everyone informed about the results. I mentioned to them that a "how-to" booklet might be in order, both for the products, as well as the organizing to meet the need! I will cc them here: Jimmy is at jimmy_ouma@..., and at cathys@.... And say

to that I hope you will link Jimmy with the folks in Nakuru, so they can share ideas and hopefully unite in some kind of concerted force, which may help to move things along. I agree it would be great if the government could do something (if just waiving import fees for these products, if items are donated from abroad for awhile, and speaking up in awareness campaigns). The people are also clearly taking matters into their own hands too, and that is inspiring. We do need all the men on board we can get, so I echo Mwende in thanking you--and your mama, haha!!--and look forward to working on this together!! With blessings and 3 million cheers, Janet Dear , Thank you for keeping alive, this very important discussion.

While I am not too sure about the "prowess and intellect," part but this is indeed something dear to my heart. You mention doing a piece - you must have missed it but I did do something not too long ago. That said, we do need to keep on pushing. While I honestly don't think that free pads are sustainable, there have got to be ways of producing and accessing them better. There was recently a posting here about Uganda and how they are using natural products to make pads. In addition to smaller NGO's trying to help, I am informed that the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations with whom I will be meeting on this, are directing resources towards this problem. Once informed, I will be happy to speak on it again. Either way, between all our collective efforts, our girls are bound to find some relief. And may I comment on how refreshing it is to hear a man

speak up on this! God bless your mama, ! :-) Cheers, Mwende Njoroge <penjo2002@...> wrote: Hello Mwende, Janet and All, Last Friday 26th participants thronged Nyayo Gardens Nakuru to witness and donate in this auspicious occasion. The event was to launch distribution of free sanitary towels to school girls. It was a beehive of activities and the response was overwhelming. The organizers deserved a pat on the back as they sensitized even men who heeded the call. On the other hand the recipients could not hide their appreciative faces which were vividly noticeable. This happened as result of a week long donation. A packet of sanitary pad meant for donation was bought @50/= instead of 65. Then dropped in designated boxes marked donation in sporadic chemists and supermarkets. It was an eye catching

event. It is painfully aware that 50% of Kenyan population lives below poverty line, as they can’t afford 3 meals per day let alone sanitary towels. So some parents are straining too much when their daughters starts menses which occur as a result of biological mechanism. This normally starts when they enter their puberty at age 12 to 13 years. Those who cant afford

fail to attend classes to avoid embarrassment. Can the Government come in and save situation especially to the unprivileged? This will undoubtly enhance their performance. I realized men should be lured, educated to be deeply involved in protecting and caring for women. To achieve this enormous task the stakeholders must inspire and generate action. And they will do

it in their absolute best. Folks you have got the machinery to disseminate and drum up for support. If we revisit the Sexual offences Bill (SOB) there has been an increased rape cases. I hope there will be a comprehensive recommendations which provide abroad guideline in remedying. SOB attracted some amendments to avoid fundamental flaws for its amicable application. It will be a milestone when it

becomes law. Mwende you have demonstrated great reservoir of love which is immesurable to the girl-child. Your prowess and intellect is undeniable. In your editorial and commentary please engineer and catalyse putting men on board. With thanks Njoroge. __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Janet,Mwende and All, Im glad to note Mwende is pursuing negotiations with Ford and Rock regarding this issue.And im optimistic there will be light at the end of the tunnel. Janet, im going to liaise with Jimmy and as they search for alternative sanitary products. Wow! what an outstanding remark for mama,who has been inspirational and role model. With thanks, Njoroge Janet Feldman <kaippg@...> wrote: Hello Dearest Mwende, , and All!! Thank you both for your wonderful letters, and terrific that Ford and Rock are looking into this issue...as well as having our intrepid reporter (she of the intellectual prowess!!) on the case. There was a recent posting here about trade unions in ZW importing pads, too, so the issue is one on many people's minds, and action is taking place. You'll be happy to know that a young man in Kenya named Jimmy Ouma, an artist and activist, and Canadian educator and puppeteer Stubington--who I linked together last year when was visiting Nairobi--are actively working on this and finding out about various alternative sanitary products, plus

discussing locally-created products, doing outreach to large companies for donations of products (until a business might get going), and engaging a number of folks in Canada and Kenya who are working together to meet the challenge. I have sent them the posts of Didi and , as well as the one abt papyrus being used to make products (which Chifu posted here) and the one abt the ZW trade unions. They have followed up with Didi, I believe, and I will keep everyone informed about the results. I mentioned to them that a "how-to" booklet might be in order, both for the products, as well as the organizing to meet the need! I will cc them here: Jimmy is at jimmy_ouma@..., and at cathys@.... And say

to that I hope you will link Jimmy with the folks in Nakuru, so they can share ideas and hopefully unite in some kind of concerted force, which may help to move things along. I agree it would be great if the government could do something (if just waiving import fees for these products, if items are donated from abroad for awhile, and speaking up in awareness campaigns). The people are also clearly taking matters into their own hands too, and that is inspiring. We do need all the men on board we can get, so I echo Mwende in thanking you--and your mama, haha!!--and look forward to working on this together!! With blessings and 3 million cheers, Janet Dear , Thank you for keeping alive, this very important discussion.

While I am not too sure about the "prowess and intellect," part but this is indeed something dear to my heart. You mention doing a piece - you must have missed it but I did do something not too long ago. That said, we do need to keep on pushing. While I honestly don't think that free pads are sustainable, there have got to be ways of producing and accessing them better. There was recently a posting here about Uganda and how they are using natural products to make pads. In addition to smaller NGO's trying to help, I am informed that the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations with whom I will be meeting on this, are directing resources towards this problem. Once informed, I will be happy to speak on it again. Either way, between all our collective efforts, our girls are bound to find some relief. And may I comment on how refreshing it is to hear a man

speak up on this! God bless your mama, ! :-) Cheers, Mwende Njoroge <penjo2002@...> wrote: Hello Mwende, Janet and All, Last Friday 26th participants thronged Nyayo Gardens Nakuru to witness and donate in this auspicious occasion. The event was to launch distribution of free sanitary towels to school girls. It was a beehive of activities and the response was overwhelming. The organizers deserved a pat on the back as they sensitized even men who heeded the call. On the other hand the recipients could not hide their appreciative faces which were vividly noticeable. This happened as result of a week long donation. A packet of sanitary pad meant for donation was bought @50/= instead of 65. Then dropped in designated boxes marked donation in sporadic chemists and supermarkets. It was an eye catching

event. It is painfully aware that 50% of Kenyan population lives below poverty line, as they can’t afford 3 meals per day let alone sanitary towels. So some parents are straining too much when their daughters starts menses which occur as a result of biological mechanism. This normally starts when they enter their puberty at age 12 to 13 years. Those who cant afford

fail to attend classes to avoid embarrassment. Can the Government come in and save situation especially to the unprivileged? This will undoubtly enhance their performance. I realized men should be lured, educated to be deeply involved in protecting and caring for women. To achieve this enormous task the stakeholders must inspire and generate action. And they will do

it in their absolute best. Folks you have got the machinery to disseminate and drum up for support. If we revisit the Sexual offences Bill (SOB) there has been an increased rape cases. I hope there will be a comprehensive recommendations which provide abroad guideline in remedying. SOB attracted some amendments to avoid fundamental flaws for its amicable application. It will be a milestone when it

becomes law. Mwende you have demonstrated great reservoir of love which is immesurable to the girl-child. Your prowess and intellect is undeniable. In your editorial and commentary please engineer and catalyse putting men on board. With thanks Njoroge. __________________________________________________