STORY PREVIEW

2024

Menstruation Management

CIA FIRST International school

khan sensok

MENTOR

Harpreet Saggu

Step 1 FEEL

List the challenges or problems in your surroundings (school,neighbourhood etc.) that bothered you.

I have noticed several challenges in school, including: 1.Trash in the classrooms 2.Unorganized supplies 3.Leftover food 4.Dirty lunch tables 5.Girls struggling to manage their periods

State the problem chosen to work and why.

I have decided to go with the last topic on the list, “females struggling to keep up with their periods.” I believe it’s important to maintain proper hygiene during this time, especially since many people may feel embarrassed or shy about discussing it. I want to bring attention to this issue because it’s a natural part of the menstrual cycle and shouldn’t be a source of shame. If we don’t find a solution, it could get worse. Teachers, students, and staff all recognize that managing this is a challenge they face each month. This issue can affect their work schedules and be overwhelming, so I want to help find solutions.

Who were the people affected by the problem? What were their primary concerns?

The people affected by this problem include female staff, students, and teachers. Their main concern is being unprepared and not realizing that it’s that time of the month, which leads them to forget to bring an emergency kit with them.

Step 2 IMAGINE

List ALL the different solutions you came up with.

1.Sell pads near the girls’ bathroom. 2.Direct them to the clinic. 3.Make posters to remind everyone where they can get pads, specifically from the clinic, and hang them on boards around the school and in the bathrooms. 4.Purchase a vending machine for the pads. 5.Create a DIY pad box and money box to place in the bathroom so that they won’t have to worry about walking to the clinic.

Which solution from those listed above did you choose to implement and why?

I have chosen to: -Make posters reminding everyone where they can get pads from the school clinics and hang them on boards around the school and in the bathrooms. -Create a DIY pad box and money box to temporarily place on the bathroom walls, charging 1000 riel for each pad. -Buy vending machines for the pads. I chose this because: Make posters: I want to help ease their worries in case of an emergency and provide convenience so they don’t have to ask others for pads, which could be embarrassing for some. DIY supplies: By placing these on the bathroom walls, girls won’t need to walk all the way to the clinic. They can simply enter the bathroom, put 1000 riel in the money box, take a pad, and go. It’s much more convenient! Buy vending machines: This will give females full access to sanitary napkins. The DIY box is small and would run out quickly, while a vending machine can hold 30-40 pads. Plus, we won’t have to worry about collecting money every time it gets full since the machine is electric. These three ideas are great because they can be used in emergencies, improve our health and hygiene, and ensure that pads are always available.

Step 3DO

Describe very briefly the process of implementing your solution(s).

Here’s a simplified and shorter version of your project steps: Step 1: Create a poster showing where students can get pads (all clinics). Step 2: Build a DIY pad box and hang it in the women’s bathroom, along with a money box. Students must put 1,000 riel in the money box before taking a pad. Step 3: Buy vending machines that allow online payments through QR codes. We can fund these through a fundraiser or request support from school management. Each machine will have four shelves: two for heavy flow pads ($0.50 each) and two for medium flow pads ($0.25 each). The QR code will guide students to select and pay for their pads. To sustain the project, I’ll collect data using a QR code linked to a Google Form. I’ve emailed the proposal to school heads for approval. The total cost for five machines is about $500, plus $100-$150 for shipping, totaling around $600-$650.

What was the result or impact of your project?

The project has had a positive impact on the school community, with many teachers, students, and staff expressing satisfaction and reduced concerns. Since Cambodia lacks vending machines for pads in schools and public places, this initiative has introduced meaningful change. I hope to inspire more schools, including public ones, to adopt similar solutions.

How many people were impacted by your solution(s)?

1000

What did the impacted people have to say about your project? Provide 2 quotes or testimonials:

A teacher said, “I have been teaching at CIA First for many years and have never seen anyone come up with this idea before. I’m proud that you addressed this issue. With this accessible solution, I no longer worry about being fully prepared for my menstruation. Great job!” A student commented, “I was never prepared for my period. I often got so distracted with work that I’d forget when it happened. Even when I packed an emergency kit, I still forgot it. This project has made things so much easier for me and my friends.”

What challenges did you encounter while implementing your project, and how did you overcome them?

Completing this project alone was quite challenging and stressful. I had to tackle many tasks by myself, with making the DIY and money boxes taking over three hours. Finding a low-priced, quality vending machine was difficult, as few options met my expectations. Despite the challenges, I focused on my project's impact and didn't give up. I stayed relaxed while decorating the boxes, and although the vending machine search took over three days, I motivated myself to keep going. Finally, I found a great vending machine online at a low price on TAOBAO, which made me very happy.

How long did it take to implement your solution?

15-30 Days

Which global goals does your story align with?

Good health and well being

Please explain briefly why do you think so?

Global Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being Menstrual hygiene should be a priority for every woman. Access to sanitary napkins can help prevent infections and other health issues. Global Goal 4: Quality Education Menstruation significantly affects women’s school attendance and concentration. Issues like cramps, mood swings, fatigue, and forgetting pads can hinder their ability to focus in class, and some may even miss school altogether. Global Goal 5: Gender Equality Menstruation is a female experience, and many boys may not fully understand it. This project aims to promote awareness and reduce the barriers women face related to their periods.

Step 4 SHARE

How did you share your project with your school and community? Who did you share your project with? What was their response?

I shared the information by posting posters around campus and sending emails to teachers, students, and staff about the availability of the pads. I also shared my story of change during the ICan challenge at school and in the assembly.

Approximately how many people did you share your story of change with?

More than 100

Briefly share your plan to sustain the impact of your project?

To sustain my project, I will: DIY Box: Create a Google Form for users to enter their details and payment status, with a QR code to collect data on those needing pads. They can pay via QR code if they don't have cash. Vending Machines: Set up a separate QR code for another Google Form for the vending machines. Payments will be made through the machine's QR code, with an extra form to avoid misdirected payments.

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