In Nyanza Province, Kenya, young women are contracting HIV from visiting fishermen who pay for sex. One of the main reasons women do this they say, is to buy sanitary towels which they cannot otherwise afford. Once a month, most young girls take an average four days off school because they have their period and have no sanitary towels. They miss vital education, fall behind and drop out of school, often before they are 16 years old. Without education, women cannot break out of poverty.

Challenge Africa will set up another successful sewing training centre which specifically makes environmentally-friendly sanitary towels. Unemployed local women will be taught sewing skills and supported to make quality, affordable, sustainable sanitary towels for their community. Towels will be sold cheaply and donated to orphaned girls. The project can be an example for other villages; reducing HIV infection rates and ensuring young women attend and stay in education.