South Africa

Wow! Girls Matter Period (GMP) is giving literally thousands of girls and young women the opportunity to stay in school, live with dignity and confidence, and achieve their dreams!

During the past twelve months, we have provided education and reusable hygiene kits to

• 1,982 girls and women by GMP’s outreach team and Blessman International in Limpopo Province, South Africa in September 2024

• 2,186 girls and women by GMP’s outreach team and Blessman International in Limpopo Province, South Africa in May and June 2025

• 485 girls and women distributed by Blessman International in Limpopo Province, South Africa

• 10 young mothers in Cape Town, South Africa, through a pilot project organized by Orchard Africa this summer, and

• 200 students in Kenya in August 2025

That’s over 4,300 lives impacted by the contributions of Girls Matter Period volunteers and supporters! Those kits were produced in Arizona, Minnesota, Iowa, and South Africa.

In June, it was exciting to hear from girls who had received their hygiene kits prior to 2025. They enthusiastically thanked us and encouraged our team to expand our reach into more schools and communities. Here are a few of the quotes from the girls of Sterkrivier:

“It helped me feel comfortable with wearing anything without feeling so ashamed about my period, and also not having a fear of what others will say seeing me on my periods.”

“I started going to school while I was on my periods. I started participating in activities while I was on my periods.”

“I was able to go to school not worrying about my sanitary pads running out. I could always rely on my [Kit]. They [are more] comfortable than the [disposable] sanitary pads.”

If you are making Girls Matter Period Kits for your friends & family or to give to girls in need,we would love to hear from you! Tell us your story!

If you (or your organization) would like to positively impact girls, we can help! Providing menstrual health education and reusable/washable GMP Kits can make a long-lasting difference for many. You are welcome to use our patterns and information to benefit whomever you wish.

We are seeking distribution partners – individuals or organizations established in communities needing our products – to provide kits where girls and women don’t have viable options. We are interested in groups that can transport GMP Kits from the USA to the intended destination, particularly from Arizona, Minnesota, or Iowa.

Do you want to join us on the frontlines in South Africa? Contact Paula at paula.girlsmatter@gmail.com to learn more about joining her outreach team to Limpopo Province through Blessman International in August 13 - 25, 2026.

Members of our Girls Matter-designated outreach team will focus primarily on education and kit-distributions for thousands of girls/women mostly in secondary schools. The men on our team (or females with special interests/skills in other projects) may work with the male students at the schools or in outreaches such as farming/gardening, construction of water systems or toilets, distribution of eyeglasses or shoes, child development, and/or the children’s feeding program.

 Contact Paula