15 Years Strong! Celebrating Huru's Commitment to Ending Period Poverty
Join us in celebrating Huru International’s 15th anniversary. In this special blog post, we look back at the important moments and memories that shaped our journey. We reflect on our growth, from our initial focus on women's health in the wake of the HIV/AIDS crisis in East Africa to our innovative approach to menstrual health with products like the Huru Pad and Free2 app. We also look ahead, imagining a world where we keep growing, helping even more girls and communities.
Dive into our story of resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment. Discover how a simple idea evolved into a global mission and how you can be a part of writing our next transformative chapter.
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Early Days: From Addressing a Crisis to Building a Movement
In the early '00s, Lorna Macleod, Wanjiru Kepha, and Karina Chen worked on a project to help educate poor children in Kenya. In East Africa, HIV/AIDS was spreading and affecting women in marginalized communities. They saw too many children who had lost their parents to the disease. This was a turning point. They wanted to help affected women in these communities and slow the spread of the disease.
Allies were needed in the fight, so we sought help from top health organizations. Johnson & Johnson, under the direction of Bill Lin, was our first official partner. We created practical solutions to help local women and stop HIV/AIDS from spreading. These focused on reproductive and sexual health, hygiene supplies, and education.
These solutions would later become the model for Huru distributions. We used these to aid young women in Kenya. The Elton John AIDS Foundation, PEPFAR, and others provided important funding that allowed us to expand. We could focus on early intervention and prevention to help more young women and girls in East Africa. We also saw the devastating effects that poverty has on girls' education and future opportunities. Girls were missing school, falling behind, or dropping out completely because they couldn't manage their periods. We met countless girls who were isolated and ashamed. We knew we needed to address it.
Huru, meaning "freedom" in Swahili, and our vision to create a world where no girl was limited by her period were born.
Since that time, we have expanded our network to include community leaders, the Kenyan government, global agencies, and Fortune 500 companies. Our strong connections have helped us make a difference in marginalized communities in East Africa. Girls facing challenges from period poverty and experiencing cultural stigmas and taboos are at the center of our work.
Empowering Innovations in Menstrual Health: The Huru Pad and Free2 App
The Huru Pad has undergone a remarkable transformation since its beginnings. Advancements in textile innovation and technology have transformed a basic cotton pad into a high-quality, eco-friendly product. The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBs) certified the Huru pad for its quality and durability.
In collaboration with a textile scientist and his team, the Huru pad is engineered to not just be absorbent but also:
a wicking layer to keep girls dry and comfortable.
antimicrobial properties to inhibit bacterial growth.
made with easy-care fabric.
designed to be leak-proof.
lasts 2 or more years.
The Huru Pad is not just a product but also a symbol of our dedication to helping girls in marginalized communities. It provides dignity and allows girls to confidently attend school, free from the shame and fear linked to menstruation.
Huru created the Free2 app to provide girls
lessons on menstrual health and wellness. The app also offers local resources for support, available 24/7. Learning is done by gamifying the lessons to provide a fun, engaging user experience.
This is another example of Huru's commitment to using technology for empowerment.
Local Production, Global Impact: Huru’s Circular Model
Our production facility and training center are located in Nairobi, at Huru’s global headquarters. They embody the principles of a circular economy. We do more than create good menstrual health products. We empower communities and support sustainable development.
We employ men and women from nearby disadvantaged communities who are looking for better jobs. They are so much more than employees; they are vital contributors to Huru's mission. Those who have experienced period poverty are involved in creating the solutions.
Huru International started the Skills Development Program in 2019 to help unemployed young women in Nairobi. These women face hardships and often have children to care for with no job skills to rely on. This 16-week program is truly a transformative journey—gaining industrial sewing skills, business knowledge, and important life skills. After completing our program, graduates leave with a path to employment, self-reliance, and a future filled with opportunities.
By investing in the potential of these women, Huru International isn't just addressing immediate needs. We're fostering a culture of sustainable development where empowerment and community growth go hand in hand.
Changing Lives: Stories and Statistics of Huru's Far-Reaching Influence
Since our beginning, we have worked in communities throughout East Africa, both in urban and rural areas. To date, Huru has educated over 500,000 teens and young women, distributed 300,000 Huru Kits, and produced more than 2.2 million reusable sanitary pads. This has been possible thanks to the support of our corporate partners, government organizations, and private donors.
Our initiatives have been crucial in breaking the cycle of period shame and ensuring girls don't miss school due to menstrual challenges. Girls who previously missed school due to a lack of proper menstrual products now attend regularly, participate fully, and aspire to brighter futures. Quality menstrual products and education have proven essential for consistent, stress-free learning environments, freeing girls to focus on their education without worrying about how to handle their period each month.
A 15-Year Journey: Reflections from the Hearts Behind Huru
“It’s been an incredible 15 years at Huru. We've seen the transformative power of our mission. Huru International has always been about much more than distributing Huru Kits and providing education. We want to free girls from the limitations of period poverty so that they have opportunities to build better futures.
As we look forward, I am thrilled by the prospects of scaling our impact further, driven by our unwavering vision: a world where no girl's potential is limited by her period."
Lorna Macleod, Founder
"Celebrating 15 years of Huru International, I feel a deep sense of pride in the sustainable solutions we've pioneered. Every day, we see the faces of girls whose lives have been changed and their potential unleashed. As we look to the future, our commitment remains steadfast: fostering environments where girls don't just survive—they thrive. Here's to continuing our journey of meaningful, community-driven change in the years to come."
Wanjiru Kepha, Country Director
"As I think back on 15 years at Huru, I'm proud of the dynamic evolution of our approach. Constant innovation and the use of technology as a tool for empowerment have been signatures of our journey. From the humble beginnings of the Huru Pad to the development of the Free2 app, we've shown that creative, sustainable solutions can profoundly deepen our impact. As we step into the future, I am enthusiastic about exploring new paths of innovation. Together, we're not just addressing period poverty; we're crafting brighter futures, one innovative solution at a time."
Karina Chen, Director of Operations
Looking Forward: Envisioning Huru's Future in the Global Fight Against Period Poverty
As we close this chapter on Huru International's remarkable 15-year journey, it's clear that our story is more than just about fighting period poverty; it's a narrative of empowerment, innovation, and community-driven change. From our early beginnings, tackling HIV/AIDS in East Africa, to the groundbreaking Huru Pad and Free2 app, we've consistently pushed the boundaries of what's possible in menstrual health and education.
Our founders' vision has always been clear. Create a world where no girl's future is limited by her period. This vision has guided us through a decade and a half of impactful work, and it's what drives us as we look to the future. We are set to expand our reach, embracing new challenges and opportunities with the same passion and commitment that have been our hallmark.
Join us on this inspiring journey. Whether it's through reading our stories, supporting our mission, or sharing our message, your involvement is crucial. Together, we can continue to break barriers and build a world where every girl has the freedom and opportunity to thrive.