Homeless women's pain during menstrual period

Linda Mbeyu of Pathfinder helps Janet Salama unpack her sanitary towel gift bag during M-PESA Foundation’s sanitary towels distribution at Kibaoni Primary School in Kilifi County. [Courtesy]

At only 19, the rough and tumble of street life has somewhat toughened Ann Koi. But one simple gesture would sear through that tough exterior to expose the challenge Koi and many other homeless women grapple with each month.

When a group of models handed Koi a packet of sanitary towels, she burst into tears, taking aback those that had given it to her.