HOW WAS AFRICAN SISTERHOOD CREATED?
In 2016, while on safari with her family, Jessie learned of the struggle girls in rural, impoverished areas of Kenya experience in managing their menstruation. While spending the day at an orphanage, Jessie bonded with many of the girls; they shared their similarities and differences in their cultures. This is when Jessie learned of the disproportional school dropout rate among girls compared to boys, she also learned that when girls are forced to drop out of school, they often become childhood brides. Jessie spent the rest of her time in Kenya learning more about the culture and their daily struggles. Realizing it wasn't out of lack of love from their families that these girls didn't have access to feminine products, but a lack of affordability. When faced with a choice of feeding their family or providing feminine products, the choice becomes obvious.
Upon returning to the United States, Jessie continued to research how to solve this problem she talked about supplying girls with the cup, but this had its own share of obstacles. She communicated with friends in Kenya, talked to people in the States doing similar work and after a number of months came up with a pad design as well as an entire feminine hygiene kit. She developed a system to allow girls to take control of and management their cycle and enable them to attend school while on their cycle. At times, she questioned how one girl from California can make a difference? She remained focused and determined to help those she could.
In 2016, while on safari with her family, Jessie learned of the struggle girls in rural, impoverished areas of Kenya experience in managing their menstruation. While spending the day at an orphanage, Jessie bonded with many of the girls; they shared their similarities and differences in their cultures. This is when Jessie learned of the disproportional school dropout rate among girls compared to boys, she also learned that when girls are forced to drop out of school, they often become childhood brides. Jessie spent the rest of her time in Kenya learning more about the culture and their daily struggles. Realizing it wasn't out of lack of love from their families that these girls didn't have access to feminine products, but a lack of affordability. When faced with a choice of feeding their family or providing feminine products, the choice becomes obvious.
Upon returning to the United States, Jessie continued to research how to solve this problem she talked about supplying girls with the cup, but this had its own share of obstacles. She communicated with friends in Kenya, talked to people in the States doing similar work and after a number of months came up with a pad design as well as an entire feminine hygiene kit. She developed a system to allow girls to take control of and management their cycle and enable them to attend school while on their cycle. At times, she questioned how one girl from California can make a difference? She remained focused and determined to help those she could.
WHAT IS AFRICAN SISTERHOOD?
African Sisterhood is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
African Sisterhood is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME?
African Sisterhood was the first name Jessie came up with. It was inspired when one of the girls at the orphanage asked if she would be her sister.
African Sisterhood was the first name Jessie came up with. It was inspired when one of the girls at the orphanage asked if she would be her sister.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO EDUCATE GIRL?
When girls receive an education, they marry later and have fewer children. They and their communities live a healthier lifestyle and have better educated children. Investing in female education, increases economic and agricultural productivity and increases her personal earning potential, as well as reduce poverty in her community. Studies show that women tend to reinvest 90% of their earnings into their families and communities, therefore living a healthier lifestyle and improving education of future generations.
When girls receive an education, they marry later and have fewer children. They and their communities live a healthier lifestyle and have better educated children. Investing in female education, increases economic and agricultural productivity and increases her personal earning potential, as well as reduce poverty in her community. Studies show that women tend to reinvest 90% of their earnings into their families and communities, therefore living a healthier lifestyle and improving education of future generations.
WHY DO WE PROVIDE REUSABLE PADS?
Lack of feminine products is a leading cause of teenage pregnancy in many rural areas of Kenya. In desperation to attend school, girls often exchange "favors" for pads. By providing young women with reusable pads, eliminates the monthly struggle females experience to access of feminine products each month. Having their own personal pads gives them the ability to manage their needs, eliminating dependance on someone else. Furthermore, reusable pads are better for the environment, eliminating unnecessary excessive waste. In the long run, they are less expensive than one use, disposable pads. In addition, teaching them how to make the pads provides greater empowerment for future needs and to meet the needs of their community.
Lack of feminine products is a leading cause of teenage pregnancy in many rural areas of Kenya. In desperation to attend school, girls often exchange "favors" for pads. By providing young women with reusable pads, eliminates the monthly struggle females experience to access of feminine products each month. Having their own personal pads gives them the ability to manage their needs, eliminating dependance on someone else. Furthermore, reusable pads are better for the environment, eliminating unnecessary excessive waste. In the long run, they are less expensive than one use, disposable pads. In addition, teaching them how to make the pads provides greater empowerment for future needs and to meet the needs of their community.