We had a well outlined facilitation for all three community colleges. Each day, we started with an introduction, familiarizing ourselves with the young women, followed by mentorship where we each had a specialized topic to cover. I explored sisterhood through the power of uplifting one another, fostering friendships, managing finances, and setting boundaries. Halima covered mental health & cultural realities on tribalism, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), guilt, and how trauma can impact education. Nyasaina finalized with myths, misconceptions & stigma within our society, specifically on a woman's purpose,  FGM, and people living with disabilities. This authentic and honest space invited united conversations on taboo topics within our communities. These are necessary conversations in our social groups, although they are often considered socially restricted subjects, we recognize the value of authentic communication.  

Next, we had a lighthearted icebreaker of a song by the Mina Foundation. This was a fun dance that allowed the ladies to relax and feel more connected with us. Thereafter, we shared our first menstrual stories, each one unique and personal. We also gave the girls a chance to share their own stories and in due course, we had a practical session to demonstrate the various types of menstrual products, including menstrual pads, tampons, and menstrual cups. We provided illustrations on how they all work and how the sanitary towels contain chemicals, which can cause irritation, infections, as well as the pungent smell they produce when worn during periods. Regarding tampons, we illustrated how some cotton strands can be left in the vaginal canal when removing them and how, over time, the cotton strands can collect and potentially cause long-term health disruptions. In contrast, the menstrual cup, made from medical-grade silicone, leaves no residue in your body and is a more effective option for our menstrual cycles. We then shared our first encounter with the Mina Cup, as it was crucial for them to understand that we are using the same products we advocate for. 

Many of the young women shared stories that were touching and eye-opening. Some had never heard of menstrual cups before, while others had only seen them online; for most, this was the first time they had held one in their hands. We earned their trust as sister figures who hold safe spaces. The young women asked questions without fear of judgment and truly understood how this small item could create a massive shift not just in their monthly routines, but also in their confidence and freedom. We had breakout sessions with the ladies, where Nyasaina, Halima, and I led small group discussions of 10 ladies each at Laisamis Technical Training Institute and Don Bosco Training Institute, and 17 ladies each at Kenya Medical Training College in Marsabit. In our small groups, we talked about:  

• How to wear the menstrual cup

• How to clean the menstrual cup

• How to store it and change it according to your cycle

• The different folds to use while wearing it

• The two Mina menstrual cup sizes, and the hygiene practices that come with the menstrual cup. 

We didn't just talk about periods. We talked about dignity. About the right to go to class or work without shame. We discussed health, the environment, and the transformative power of knowledge. The energy in the room, whether in Laisamis or Marsabit town, was electric. The ladies were curious, open-minded, and bold. 

On the Environmental aspect, we discussed how sanitary towels and tampons take 800 and 500 years, respectively, to decompose. Additionally, the land becomes incapable to grow crops wherever the pad or tampon is disposed. The majority of young women in Northern Kenya reside in pastoralist communities, where goats and camels are the primary domesticated animals. Like most of the world, there have been cases of these animals accidentally feeding on carelessly disposed of single-use plastic items, therefore affecting their health. In communities where livestock is a source of wealth and pride, it is essential to discuss educationally relevant examples. 

Importantly, we highlighted that the menstrual cup is made from medical-grade silicone and that its primary component is also silicone. Silicon dioxide (containing silicon & silica), which is one of the most abundant natural minerals on earth, and is plentifully found in sand. By using the menstrual cup, we would reduce the waste burden in the environment, as one menstrual cup can be used for a period of 5 to 10 years. Just imagine how cost-effective, and how the environment would thrive if we all switched to the use of menstrual cups. The cup also doesn't need a lot of water, hence why we endorse them as it can be used in water-scarce areas. 

Each participant received a Mina Cup. What struck me most was how quickly the girls embraced the idea once the myths were debunked and the science was presented in simple, relatable terms.  Some promised to use the cup as soon as they got home, and it was encouraging. We also had some who were not open to using the cup, and we left an open space for their independent decision; others who had undergone extreme FGM procedures and could not use the cup, and that was okay. With reference to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), also known as female circumcision, women who have undergone  Type I - Clitorodectomy / sunna or Type II - Excision, can use the menstrual cup with no harm to their health. However, women who have undergone Type III - Infibulation cannot use the menstrual cup and this is an extreme health risk. We hope to see more sustainable solutions made for all women.  

We also emphasized the importance of sisterhood and how the girls would help each other embrace the cup and spread the good word about it. The conversations didn't end with the training. WhatsApp groups were created, and we also started warming up our audience to get them to share their experiences with the menstrual cup.  Some ladies shared their experiences trying the cup, others cheered them on, or asked further questions. Our WhatsApp Group represents the community in constant action, women lifting each other up and embracing sisterhood.  This wasn't just a training. It was a movement in the making. A small step toward ending period poverty, shame, reducing waste, and building a generation of empowered, informed women ready to rewrite the story around menstruation in Northern Kenya and beyond. We walked away from each session not just as facilitators, but as sisters in solidarity. And I'm hopeful that this ripple will continue to grow. 

Now, as we know, there are no solutions without trade-offs. We encountered some challenges with all three community colleges. The lecturers did not want any of the girls to miss out on the training and assembled all girls in the school so that we could talk to them, as the facilitators this didn't sit well with us as we only had a limited amount of menstrual cups and training all girls and giving some the menstrual cups and leaving some was going to be unfair, eventually we trained and mentored all girls, gave some sanitary towels and the rest menstrual cups but this was done with a heavy heart as the lecturers really insisted that we train them all. No one gets left behind right? 

In the future, with more funding, we hope to be able to provide menstrual cups for all girls we train, thereby avoiding difficult circumstances of leaving some out. Overall, the training went well, and we are slowly watching our vision turn into a reality. Sustain Her Cycle Phase One was a success. Thank you to everyone who made it happen.