Woman designs pads that can be re-used for up to three years

 Gerald Hayo [Photo: Courtesy]

She has taken creativity and innovation to a new level by making reusable menstrual kits in Kisauni at the coast.

Gerald Hayo, 29, uses cotton materials to make the kits, which she sells for Sh600 each. Every kit comes with a pair of panties, two shields and two napkins - all made from cotton. She says the sanitary towels can last for up to three years.

She officially started the business in January this year. “I started making the reusable towels early this year. So far, so good. People are gaining interest in the products,” she told The Nairobian.

She explained that: “I use cotton materials that do not have plant or animal prints. They are used just like normal pads, it’s only that they are eco-friendly and last for three years. I sell a kit at Sh600.”

When asked about health implications, Gerald explained that the materials she uses are safe and don’t have any health hazards.

“All you need to do is clean and air them well. They are completely safe and pose no health risks whatsoever. They are just like baby napkins,” she explained.

 Her designs [Photo: Courtesy]

She doesn’t have a shop yet, so she makes and sells the sanitary towels from her house. “I do not have a shop. I make them in my house at the moment. I am looking forward to having a workshop where they can be made and sold,” she revealed.

Her story and inspiration is amazing. She was made to live like a tomboy and without sanitary towels during her periods in her childhood. She says she wouldn’t want to see young girls go through what she experienced as a child. This is what inspired her to come up with the reusable menstrual kits, which she also gives for free to girls in schools at the Coast.

“Because of my tomboy look, everyone, including my family, discriminated against me during my teenage years and I was denied sanitary towels. They claimed I looked like a man and shouldn’t be having periods. They went further to call me a devil worshipper. That inspired me to find ways to survive,” she said.

“I believe that many young girls go through the same and this leads to low grades in school because their confidence is lowered due to lack of sanitary towels. I want to ensure that I provide some of the reusable menstrual kits to them, so as to boost their self-esteem,” she explained. 

November is the hustle month and we are all about youngins making their money, and we need your help. Do you know of any young person in school/campus who is running a hustle that absolutely deserves to be celebrated? Drop us an email on: [email protected]