By NTS staff
Last week, something powerful happened at Nyamboyo Technical School.
We held our annual AFRIpads training, a 2-day workshop on human reproduction and menstrual health. This year, it wasn’t just “successful.” It was deeply moving — the kind of experience that reminds you why education, when paired with dignity and practical support, can change a young person’s life in an instant.
What is AFRIpads?
AFRIpads is a social enterprise focused on menstrual health and hygiene, best known for manufacturing high-quality reusable sanitary pads and related menstrual products. Their approach goes beyond distributing materials, combining menstrual health education with practical solutions designed to remove barriers that keep girls out of school and limit confidence. Reusable kits are also more cost-effective and waste-reducing, which matters in rural communities where ongoing access to disposable products is unreliable.
A Strong Foundation — Then a Breakthrough
This term, our students have been learning about reproductive health. These lessons matter. They give students technical language so they can speak with less awkwardness about deeply personal issues. They build confidence. They created a foundation that allowed the AFRIpads sessions to go deeper — not as a first introduction, but as a real conversation.
And that conversation came alive.
From the start, students leaned in. They listened intently. They asked thoughtful questions. At times, the discussions were emotional — because for many of our teenagers, especially our girls, this topic is not theoretical. It’s personal, urgent, and tied to everyday survival. Pregnancy can end a promising career. HIV can be fatal.
Expert Leadership Makes the Difference
A big part of what made this training so impactful was the leadership behind it.
Norah Kadesa is our outside trainer and menstrual health expert, and she comes to NTS each year to lead this training. Her experience, clarity, and warmth set the tone immediately — students trust her, and that trust creates the conditions for honest learning.
She was joined by Rael Mogusu, our Deputy Director, who is also a registered nutritionist and an expert in female health. Together, Norah and Rael brought both professional expertise and deep cultural understanding, which helped students feel safe, seen, and respected.
Safe Spaces Create Honest Voices
After a joint session with all students — including an AFRIpads baseline survey to evaluate their knowledge — we separated into groups to create comfort and safety:
- Boys met with Jones Obiria, NTS Founder and Director
- Girls met with Norah Kadesa and Rael Mogusu
Then we did something new: we separated the younger girls, our Year 1 studentes, into their own smaller group.
That choice transformed everything.
You could see their innocence and curiosity right away — and you could also see their caution. Cultural norms often teach young people to stay silent about reproductive health. But slowly, the room changed.
Questions came with hesitantly raised hands. Honest ones. Brave ones. Sometimes whispered at first, then spoken clearly. And every question — every single one — was met with care, clarity, and respect.
The result was something rare in rural communities: open dialogue without shame.
The Joy on Their Faces Was Unforgettable
Then came a moment we won’t forget.
When the girls received their AFRIpads menstrual materials, the room lit up.
Our students come from poverty, where access to menstrual hygiene products is limited or inconsistent. For some girls, this lack of access affects attendance, confidence, and health. It can quietly interrupt education in ways outsiders rarely see.
So when the pads were distributed, what we witnessed wasn’t just gratitude.
It was relief. It was joy. It was dignity.
The younger girls were thrilled — smiling in a way that said, I feel seen. And the older girls, whose previous supplies had already been used up, were equally grateful to receive replacements.
A powerful reminder: when you combine education with practical support, you don’t just deliver information — you restore confidence.
Boys Engaged — and That Matters
The boys’ session was also a bright spot.
They participated actively and respectfully. They asked questions. They wanted to learn more. Their inclusion matters because reducing stigma around menstruation doesn’t happen when we educate girls alone — it happens when boys learn to understand, respect, and support.
One of the strongest outcomes from this training was seeing reproductive health education embraced by both genders.
What We Learned: Our Students Are Hungry for Knowledge
If there is one thing we would improve, it’s time.
In Kenya, it’s taboo to talk about reproduction in a family. So, our students want to know more, to learn about their bodies. We held Q&A session that went on for, literally hours, because students had so much to ask. That’s the kind of “challenge” we’re grateful for: teenagers hungry for knowledge and asking for more opportunities to learn.
We also heard something important from the boys: While education is essential, they also want to feel supported and included in practical ways. Moving forward, we will explore additional engagement resources for boys — materials and activities that reinforce their role as allies and informed peers.
We thank AFRIpads for their products and the investment they have made in creating education materials that protect dignity. We thank our community for supporting this effort. Our students are growing, not only into skilled professionals, but also into confident, informed adults.
To be continued — because as our students ask for more, we’re listening.