Revelation Medical Services

Females in certain countries do not have access to basic feminine hygiene products, like pads and period underwear. This may be due to a lack of income, gender inequality in a household or community, or lack of understanding about menstruation.

Feminine hygiene products cost more in places like Kenya and Latin American countries, and when females are already struggling to earn a living wage to help support their families, there may not be leftover money to buy basic supplies like pads or underwear.

65% of females in Kenya are unable to afford sanitary pads. One million school-age girls miss an average of four school days per month because of their menstrual cycle and no access to feminine hygiene products. A survey done by Procter & Gamble and Heart Education found that 42% of Kenyan school girls have never used sanitary pads and instead use alternatives such as rags, blankets, pieces of mattress, tissue paper and cotton wool. 

Worldwide, inadequate access and affordability sanitary towels has far reaching repercussion on the social, psychological, and physical health of adolescent girls and young women.  The deficiency of sanitary pads has been proven to be a major determinant in achieving gender parity in slum dwellers in Nairobi Kenya.  Further, provision of sanitary towels and information on reproductive health is concentrated only in major towns and less in the slum areas. Thus, there is a need for Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) intervention in these informal urban set-ups.

The overall goal of this project is to treat young women with STIs, Train them on how to prevent STIs and develop a low cost and accessible sanitary pads for school going girls and young women and widows hence; minimize the number of days girls miss going to school, create socio-economic acceptance of the innovated product, develop sanitary pads for commercial production and marketing. We propose to offer free treatment for young women and widows with STIs and produce sanitary towels using low-cost machinery aimed at improving hygiene and eco-friendly usage by underprivileged women and adolescent girls in poor informal neighborhoods. Our idea is unique in terms of not only treating these vulnerable women with STIs but also offering them skills on how to prevent more STIs and also  a low-cost mini sanitary pads making machine compared to the traditional production model which requires costly production systems. The project will have an impact on health status of girls through improvement in their reproductive health status and personal hygiene of the girls.

The project's initiative to address the issue of menstrual hygiene among young female pupils in the Soweto slum of Nairobi is crucial and impactful. It directly targets an essential aspect of girls' well-being, which significantly affects their education and overall quality of life. By providing washable, reusable pads and access to medical assistance, the project not only ensures better menstrual hygiene but also empowers these girls to attend school regularly and pursue their education without disruptions caused by poverty and unmet health needs.

The involvement of female workers who can relate to the challenges faced by the girls adds a valuable dimension of understanding and support. This local-led approach ensures that the project is sensitive to the specific needs and cultural context of the community it serves.

Beyond immediate health and education outcomes, the project has broader implications for gender equality. By breaking the stigma around menstruation and addressing the barriers young girls face, it contributes to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for female pupils. When girls can access proper menstrual hygiene materials and feel safe and confident during their periods, they are more likely to stay in school and complete their education, which can have long-term positive effects on their personal development and economic opportunities.

Moreover, by offering private and confidential interviews to address individual pupil health concerns, the project emphasizes the importance of personalized care and dignity, ensuring that the girls feel respected and valued in seeking medical assistance. Research into the prevalence of STI amongst young school aged women in Nairobi slum areas is deeply disturbing with up to 60% suffering either UTI due the use of dirty clothes during their menstrual period and/or suffering from serious STI from engaging in sexual activity to get funds for sanitary materials.

The inclusion of treatment for gynecological and sexually transmitted infections further highlights the holistic approach of the project in addressing not just menstrual hygiene but also broader health issues affecting these young girls.

1. Thomas Morwabe - Director  Having spent over a decade as a teacher at a girls' school, I intimately understood the obstacles young girls face while pursuing an education. Many of these students hailed from underprivileged backgrounds, grappling with hardships beyond the classroom. Witnessing girls unable to afford sanitary products, resorting to makeshift solutions during menstruation, struck me profoundly.  

In 2013, a scholarship took me to the USA for advanced studies. Eager to address the menstrual, STI, and gynaecological challenges faced by girls and young women, I transitioned from education to nursing, specializing in obstetrics and gynaecology. 

In 2020, alongside like-minded advocate Grace Ndanu, I co-founded Revelation Medical Services (RMS). Our shared commitment to uplifting underprivileged girls from slums resonated deeply. 

2. Grace Ndanu project coordinator  19 year old girl who has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to humanitarian work, particularly in the realms of women's empowerment and menstrual health. With extensive experience in Soweto slums  collaborating with various NGOs  she has dedicated herself to uplifting teenage girls and young women in providing essential menstrual health and hygiene training for street girls, teenage school going girls and young women

Grace's compassion extends to healthcare as well. Co-founding Revelation Medical Services alongside Thomas Morwabe, She established a section at the clinic for manufacturing reusable sanitary pads for street girls, school going girls and young women in the slums of Soweto, Nairobi Kenya. Her mission is to provide medical aid to the most vulnerable, especially street girls, school going teenage girls and young women who don't have medical insurance  and face difficulties buying sanitary towels and  accessing hospitals for treatment of gynecological diseases.

3. Sharon Wanjiru (Financial Officer)

24 year old girl who has been championing the rights of girls and women in Soweto community since she was 16 years old. Sharon knows every young girl in Soweto community by name and their plight. in addition to being in charge of funds at Revelation Medical Services, She trains girls on how to make reusable sanitary pads and how to use them. She sensitizes girls on their rights and also about their reproductive health. She interacts freely with young girls who engage in commercial sex and other vulnerable girls in Soweto slum community  

4. Sarah Ongwali (Production Manager)

 Sarah is a 23 year old girl volunteering at Revelation  Medical Services. She coordinates the production and distribution of reusable sanitary towels to vulnerable girls and women. Sarah was born and raised in Soweto community. She herself was a victim of not going to school during her monthly periods due to lack of sanitary pads. Having been raised in Soweto community, Sarah knows the community well and is able to engage freely with the vulnerable girls in the community     

5. Stephen Martin (adviser) 

Stephen's expertise lies in project management and collaboration with local partners to successfully implement and meticulously report on projects funded by external benefactors. His academic achievements include an HND in Agriculture, PGDip in Agri-engineering, and an esteemed MSc (Hon) in Agricultural Engineering.

Five thousand young girls and women

Two thousand men

Three thousand children 

Total number of people 10,000

We produce sanitary towels using low-cost sewing  machines.  The organization  makes locally made quality reusable menstrual kits. The sanitary pads at the market are costly and not reusable. Most girls in our community can not afford to buy the disposable pads sold at the market. However, the reusable pads we make at revelation medical services are of unique innovative design. The kits uses locally sourced materials that can last for up to three years, can be washed with little water. Unlike the disposable sanitary pads, the reusable pads we make are cheap to make since we use locally available materials. In addition, the pads we make are very durable, comfortable to use and very hygienic. The girls feel comfortable using them and don't complain of any gynecological infections. Girls volunteer to be trained as tailors to make these reusable pads. 

We also work with school health and hygiene clubs to demystify any cultural shortcomings such as taboos and ensure inclusivity. As part of ensuring sustainability, we carry out a capacity building exercise to both girls and women through group training. After training, members of the partner organizations become ambassadors for women’s health and hygiene services, providing both products and vital health knowledge at the community level. As a result, it is easy to get volunteer girls to train as tailors and local donations to support the purchase of law material and treatment for gynecological infections 

The project's initiative to address the issue of menstrual hygiene among young female pupils in the Soweto slum of Nairobi is crucial and impactful. It directly targets an essential aspect of girls' well-being, which significantly affects their education and overall quality of life. By providing washable, reusable pads and access to medical assistance, the project not only ensures better menstrual hygiene but also empowers these girls to attend school regularly and pursue their education without disruptions caused by poverty and unmet health needs.

Beyond immediate health and education outcomes, the project has broader implications for gender equality. By breaking the stigma around menstruation and addressing the barriers young girls face, it contributes to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for female pupils. When girls can access proper menstrual hygiene materials and feel safe and confident during their periods, they are more likely to stay in school and complete their education, which can have long-term positive effects on their personal development and economic opportunities.

Research into the prevalence of STI amongst young school aged women in Nairobi slum areas is deeply disturbing with up to 60% suffering either UTI due the use of dirty clothes during their menstrual period and/or suffering from serious STI from engaging in sexual activity to get funds for sanitary materials.

The inclusion of treatment for gynecological and sexually transmitted infections further highlights the holistic approach of the project in addressing not just menstrual hygiene but also broader health issues affecting these young girls. 

In conclusion, the project's focus on menstrual hygiene and its impact on education, health, and gender equality in the Soweto slum is commendable. In the the next one to five years with both local and international support, we will be able to eliminate absenteeism of young girls from school due to lack of sanitary pads, Reduce or eliminate risky sexual behaviors in teenage girls so as to prevent STIs and unwanted pregnancies among them and teenage girls will have a better understanding of their reproductive health.  By providing essential resources, support, and awareness, the project has the potential to make a lasting positive change in the lives of these young female pupils and contribute to a healthier and more empowered community.

Our approach to the problem is unique. Reusable sanitary pads are easy to make. Furthermore, once all the young girls and women get proper education about their reproductive health and how our solution of reusable pads, regular screening for gynecological diseases and seeking medical assistance in case of a gynecological problem, they will be well equipped to take care of their reproductive health.   

Moreover, by offering private and confidential interviews to address individual pupil health concerns, the project emphasizes the importance of personalized care and dignity, ensuring that the girls feel respected and valued in seeking medical assistance

The involvement of female workers who can relate to the challenges faced by the girls adds a valuable dimension of understanding and support. This local-led approach ensures that the project is sensitive to the specific needs and cultural context of the community it serves. 

4 full time staff

2 part time staff 

3 contractors

Three years 

Our team believes and upholds the fundamental freedoms and rights as contained in the International Charter on Human Rights and The Constitution of Kenya. These rights and values include:

• Social Justice & Equity: Everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities.
• Respect: We respect the rights and dignity of every human being and community irrespective of their social standing.
• Integrity: We uphold transparency, accountability and efficiency in dealing with others and within.
• Collaboration: We work with others in a dedicated manner towards the achievement of common goals.
• Innovation: We build a reflection and learning culture as we strive to evolve and share best practice.

We plan to increase the production of reusable sanitary towels using a low-cost machine. The organization plans to make locally made quality reusable menstrual kits available for free to vulnerable young girls and women. These kits will last up to 3 years with proper care. The innovative design of the kits uses locally sourced materials that can last for up to three years, can be washed with little water. These kits create jobs for local young women and general population since tailors will use locally sourced materials. All young girls in Soweto community will get free reproductive health education and free treatment for gynecological diseases. Our revenue is majorly by local and international donations.      

In the next five years, we aim to eradicate common STIs and other reproductive health diseases among young girls.  The NGO will work with school health and hygiene clubs to demystify any cultural shortcomings such as taboos and ensure inclusivity. As part of ensuring sustainability, we will carry out a capacity building exercise to both girls and women through group training. After training, members of the partner organizations become ambassadors for women’s health and hygiene services, providing both products and vital health knowledge at the community level.

Our revenue is generated through sustained donations and grants both locally and internationally