How to change a community with reusable period kits
Since 2021, Aid Pioneers has partnered with Sierra-Leonean organization Uman Tok, which works to expand access to hygienic and sustainable period products.
Uman Tok’s reusable kits are locally produced by tailors in the community, creating additional employment opportunities. The kits include several cloth pads that can be replaced and washed with an included bar of soap.
One kit can be used for up to three years.
In addition to these kits, Uman Tok works to de-stigmatize and educate around periods, breaking down engrained taboos and opening up new possibilities for understanding.
Securing 2.3 tons of flannel –and girls’ futures
Over the course of our partnership, Aid Pioneers has helped Uman Tok scale up their production, secure materials, and increase their capacity up to sixfold.
Aid Pioneers secured 2.3 tons of flannel for Uman Tok through the Dutch textile manufacturer Burtex. The flannel was transported to Freetown with the support of Brussels Airlines. With this flannel, 12,600 menstrual kits for girls and women can be sewn locally.
Uman Tok identified that sewing machines were a crucial but scarce resource. Through a partner organization near Hamburg, which restores old sewing machines, we have recently procured and transported 27 more sewing machines for Uman Tok.
This will enable Uman Tok to produce up to 200,000 menstrual hygiene kits annually.