In Sub-Saharan Africa, period poverty is a silent barrier to education. It is the lack of access to affordable menstrual products, safe facilities, and the knowledge to manage menstruation with dignity. UNESCO and UNICEF report that girls can miss up to 20% of the school year because of it, leading to learning gaps, poor exam performance, and higher dropout rates.
The Haven Place Foundation is changing that story in Axim. Through its After-School Programme for 448 Form 3 students, every girl receives monthly sanitary pads along with targeted academic coaching in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. Meals are provided three times a week to keep students energised and engaged.
The results are clear. Female attendance now matches male attendance at 94.0%. In May, just before the BECE, two schools achieved 100% attendance among girls. Period-related absenteeism dropped sharply, keeping girls in class when it matters most.
You can make this impact possible for more students.
- Sponsor sanitary materials for a girl for a year
- Fund a school package to provide coaching, meals, and supplies
- Support student sponsorships to remove household barriers to attendance
Every pad keeps a girl in school. Every school day she attends builds her future. Join us to remove barriers, sustain attendance, and empower the rural girl child to learn, compete, and succeed.