What is a dignity kit? The gift that transforms the lives of girls in Ethiopia
Each dignity kit delivered in Wukro is much more than a package of products: it is a passport to safety, health, and self-esteem for every girl and woman who receives it. What is a dignity kit? The gift that transforms the lives of girls in Ethiopia. In this region, ravaged by war and poverty, many young girls have had to make do with scraps of old cloth during menstruation, or even give up on normal life out of fear of staining themselves in public. Imagine the dilemma of having to choose between buying bread or buying pads… That’s why, when they receive a dignity kit, their joy is immense. It’s as if someone were telling them: “You deserve to take care of yourself; you are not alone.” 😊
The concept of a “dignity kit” arises in humanitarian crises to ensure that women have the basics to manage their periods with hygiene and privacy. In Wukro, after the conflict, these kits meet an urgent need: to restore the girls’ dignity and comfort so they can resume their studies and daily lives without fear or shame. Each kit distributed has been accompanied by instructions on how to use and wash the reusable pads, which strengthens the autonomy of the beneficiaries. Many tell us that, finally, they feel they have “the situation under control” and can live normally during their period—a radical change compared to before.
Contents of a dignity kit in Wukro: reusable pads, underwear, and a discreet bag to carry everything.
What does the dignity kit contain?
The kit is designed to offer practical and long-lasting solutions. It includes essential items, carefully selected so that menstruation is no longer a daily obstacle:
🩸 4 reusable Mela for Her pads (3 for daytime, 1 for nighttime): Made with high-quality fabrics, they are super absorbent (up to 8 hours of protection) and can be washed and reused for years. They replace hundreds of disposable pads, providing comfort without leaks or irritation.
🩲 2 pieces of underwear: Comfortable, durable cotton panties, wide-cut to ensure the pads stay in place. Many girls from vulnerable families do not have enough underwear in good condition; these extra pieces allow them to maintain proper hygiene during their period.
🎒 1 multipurpose bag: Made in Ethiopia, it is used to store and carry the whole kit (pads, underwear, and other personal items) privately. This bag allows girls to always carry the kit with them—to school or wherever needed—knowing they have everything they need at hand.
It is worth highlighting that most of these products are locally made. The Mela for Her pads, for example, are handmade by Ethiopian women. This means that when we deliver 1,000 kits to girls in Wukro, we are also supporting the local economy and providing jobs to other women in the country. It’s a virtuous circle: the kit helps the recipient while also supporting the maker. 🤝
Dignity, health, and future
Receiving a dignity kit is a before-and-after moment for every girl. The kit is not just a set of useful items—it is a gift that restores her self-esteem. Each fabric pad is one less worry; each item in the kit reminds her that her health matters and that she deserves care.
The tangible benefits are enormous. With reusable pads, girls can go to school during menstruation without fear of unexpected leaks, which translates into fewer absences. At home, families notice it too: they no longer have to allocate part of their tiny household budget to buy disposable pads (when available in shops, which is not always the case). They save money while also caring for the environment, since each kit avoids dozens of kilos of plastic waste. In addition, having their own pads means girls no longer need to rely on unsanitary alternatives like dirty cloths.
In short, a dignity kit is much more than pads and panties. It represents opportunity: the chance not to miss school days, not to contract diseases due to poor hygiene, to save money at home and invest it in other needs, to empower young women to take control of their health. It also represents respect and self-love: every girl deserves to experience her period with dignity, without being discriminated against or feeling ashamed. With this project, in Wukro, we are making that a reality—step by step, kit by kit.
🎁 Call to action
Sponsor a dignity kit! With a small donation, you can provide a girl in Wukro with the resources she needs to manage her period without limits. Each donation becomes kits and education for them. Join us the project Empowerment of Girls, Adolescents, and Women in Wukro, Tigray (Ethiopia) and help change lives, one period at a time.
👉🏽 Join us on this journey!
If this post inspired you, we invite you to also read: Reusable pads: how a sustainable solution is improving lives in Wukro, Ethiopia.
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