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Kumba Kit

  • Tiana Raft

72% of menstruating schoolgirls in Zimbabwe do not use sanitary pads because they cannot afford them. Studies also show that 62% of schoolgirls miss a week of school every month due to this.  Kumba Kit, has been designed to give girls between the ages of 11-14 in rural, poverty stricken areas of Zimbabwe, the opportunity to learn how to make their own sanitary pads; in order to fight period poverty and empower these young girls with the knowledge and ability to take control of their lives and feel their best-selves.  As a charitable initiative, giving these free packs will be life changing and means these girls will not miss out on life and education. In the local language, Shona, 'Kumba' means home and carries the essence of a secure, safe, place.

Due to our targeted area being largely poverty stricken, many don’t have access to any basic materials; all the basic materials to make the pad are included in the kit for this reason. Tools like scissors, pins and needles will be included in the kit and it will last them many years. Other things like buttons and fabric, will run out after 6 pads are made, however, included in the kit are suggestions on how to obtain some of these materials in and around their homes and communities.
The instructions of the kit are detachable, so that if the girl feels they know the method from memory, they can then share the instructions and the knowledge with other members of their community. The kit has been created in such a way that it allows everything to be contained within it, to prevent loss of items, even if the instructions have been detached, the tools and other items will remain intact and the packaging can still be closed securely.
The kit has been designed with pretty, bright colours and in such a way that it allows the girls to see periods as a normal part of feminine life, rather than associating it as a cold, scary part of life to be hidden.
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