Over the years, through generous continuing donations, we have supported numerous children in the Masese slum in Jinja, providing funds for school fees and supplies. As part of this, we found that many girls end up missing a week of school a month once they reach puberty, due to a lack of inexpensive sanitary napkins. Many of these girls fall behind in school, have trouble passing their exams, and ultimately drop out. The sanitary napkin manufacturing will help these girls stay in school to complete their educations, and will also provide employment for 5 women in the slums of Masese. 

The documentary film, “Period. End of Sentence” that won the Oscar for Documentary Short Subject in 2019, tells the story about this same situation that exists in India. GGO, with the help of a generous donor in the UK, purchased the equipment that is depicted in the movie. This equipment came from Arunachalam Muruganathan, the “Pad Man” referred to in the movie. Below is a link to the Oscar winning announcement, and another link to the IMDB listing if you would like to learn more. The documentary is currently available on Netflix as well as other streaming venues.

June 2021 Update: The Sanitary Napkin manufacturing operation is currently shut down due to COVID-19, and because of the current high cost of raw materials in Uganda (primarily the wood pulp used to make the soft absorbent portion of the pad). It is our hope to get this operational again once the latest COVID restrictions are relaxed and the cost of raw materials comes down once commerce begins to move at a pre-COVID level.

We would also like to purchase a new set of manufacturing equipment from a non-profit in the UK, that would allow us to manufacture thinner pads, and that are less labor intensive to make. The estimated cost of this equipment and a year's worth of raw materials is approximately $18,000. If you feel led to give, please know that your funds are going to an incredible cause to help keep young ladies in school! Simply go to our “Donate” page (link at the bottom of this page) and give to the “Sanitary Napkin Ministry”. Thank you.