Giveback Initiative

Before Wombilee was even a thought, I've always been fortunate enough to have access and the funds to buy menstrual pads. I started my menstrual cycle in the 5th grade at 11 years old. I was using the restroom, and I saw blood. I was grateful that it wasn't on my underwear, and I caught it in time. I wrapped up some toilet paper to make a makeshift pad and laid it on the inside of my underwear, hoping it would suffice until I got home from school since the day was almost over. My father came and picked me up, and I told him I needed some period pads. He looked at me and said, "Aww, my baby. Let's go get some pads."

We headed straight to the store, and we both looked through menstrual pads and read descriptions until I chose one and headed to the checkout counter. What I didn't know at the time is that menstrual pads aren't accessible to everyone. I didn't realize that even if they are accessible, the cost alone can be burdensome. As I look back on it, I think about the Peruvian women in the rural villages I encountered while journeying to Machu Picchu. How did they get toallas sanitarias being so far out without a store in sight? Did they even have feminine care? I think about the girls who used to "bum" pads off of other girls when I was in middle school and high school (secondary school) while here in America. Some of the girls and I would feel like, "Don't they know they get a period every month?" Instead of having a different perspective, not realizing that some girls may come from families that can't afford that extra expense. What I think is nothing, may be the dealbreaker between getting bread, eggs, and milk for the family.

Ideally, in a perfect world, menstrual care would be free. But we know that's not the case because materials must be bought, and people must get paid for their time to make them, and then the cost of packaging, shipping, etc. There are tons of companies and organizations fighting to help End Period Poverty. Wombilee is throwing their hat in the game as well with our own Giveback Initiative. When you purchase Wombilee, a portion of the profits go back to helping a womb in need. Those funds allow us to manufacture and donate our Wombilee Biodegradable Moderate Pads to women in rural villages and small towns. As the founder of a non-profit, Pan African Think Tank, we do on-the-ground research, which allowed/allows me to come into contact with so many people. I've learned that so many organizations donate things to people without actually being in their shoes to see if it actually helps or hinders the situation. Everyone's skin is different, we react to other things differently, and our lady parts are so important! Our wombs are so essential, and donated items must be vetted as well. That is why Biodegradable pads were chosen, which contain GOTS certified organic cotton, with all materials coming from the earth, with the pads and the box being able to decompose back into the earth. So, learn more about our Giveback Initiative and Nominate an Organization if you'd like!