Each year, over 3 million girls in Kenya miss 6 weeks of school year due to lack of pads. As a result of their need, they end up using corn husks, chicken feathers, goat hides, old rags, and pieces of mattresses during their menstrual periods because they can’t afford to get pads. Some of these girls, as young as 11 years old, are trading themselves in exchange for cheap gifts like pads. We want to help these girls stay in school by giving providing them with a basic hygiene product.
During July 2015, Individuals Providing a Positive Presence participated in the 1st annual trip to Kenya in partnership with the Upendo Women’s Foundation. Upendo Women’s Foundation helps girls in Africa access sustainable feminine hygiene products. Upendo Women’s Foundation is run by Njeri Thubei, a native of Kenya. Also on the trip was Jason Ridgel, founder and President of JusCo Medical, LLC.
Thanks to fundraising efforts, the group was able to distribute over 2,000 kits to girls at various schools. Here is a statement from Njeri after the trip:
“We finally made it back home and I am completely speechless for what God did with the Upendo 2015 trip. I would like to give a vote of thanks to each and every one who contributed to the overwhelming success of this mission- Park Community Church, Grace Community Church (Elk Grove), Harvest Church, House of Glory, Just One Foundation, Jusco Medical LLC, Folsom High School, ARC Phi Theta Kappa, Upendo Team Members (Kenya, Zanzibar and USA), Dwayne Morrow, Jason Ridgel, Mumbi Muriuki, Irene Kahenya and every prayer partner, volunteer and everyone who gave financially or donated items to help provide these Washable Sanitary Hygiene Kits to girls in Kenya, Zanzibar and Malawi. Together we were able to reach over 2,000 girls.”-Njeri Thubei
This year, our goal is to impact 10,000 girls with the gift of dignity. The plan is to provide re-usable sanitary towels to 10,000 young school girls from poor AIDS affected households. Due to poverty, menstruating girls lack sanitary pads and as a result do not attend school until the cycle is over. This increased absenteeism and dropout affects the performance of the girl child. By providing sanitary pads, many girls will concentrate and complete school. With increased performance, the gender gap between boys and girls enrollment and retention in school will be reduced. Your donation will provide the support for us to purchase the materials needed to create the kits for the girls.
In the United States, men face a variety of health-related disparities. Factors such as a lack of awareness, poor diet, aversion to doctors, and a lack of access to health care, men’s health, and well-being have deteriorated steadily. In 2010, the average life expectancy for women was 81.3 years, while it was only 76.3 years for men.
According to studies by the Commonwealth Fund and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cited in this report, men are far less likely than women to have regular contact with a doctor over the course of their lifetime and are half as likely as women to have a preventive health exam. This means that men often do not receive any preventive care for potentially life-threatening conditions, nor are those conditions diagnosed early when they are easier to treat and/or cure.
According to the CDC, some major areas of concern for men’s health are:
Smoking-Percent of men 18 years and over who currently smoke cigarettes: 18.9%
Obesity-Percent of men 20 years and over with obesity: 34.5% (2011-2014)
Hypertension-Percent of men 20 years and over with hypertension (measured high blood pressure and/or taking antihypertensive medication): 32.6% (2011-2014)
Lack of access to health care-14.7% of males under 65 don't have health insurance coverage.
Individuals Providing a Positive Presence, Inc. is committed to helping men reduce their risk for these preventable life-threatening diseases. Additionally, we will provide education and tools for individuals on how to increase their health through exercise, better eating, and regular visits to their doctor.
IPPP Will conduct a series of health fairs in various cities that will be aimed at getting men screened for various health issues that affect them. Men will be connected to physicians on site in order to schedule appointments for follow up.
