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A Gift of Women’s Health – $10
Help 5 Women – $50

I learned of these menstrual hygiene kits from my friend, nurse Tsering Wangmo, co-director of Nomad’s Clinic. Nomad’s Clinic is a team of medical volunteers who, every year, makes a month-long journey into the most remote regions of the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau to provide medical and humanitarian aid. Altitude Project provided 200 of these kits in 2019, and hope to fund another 200 in 2020.

Tsering considered these kits among the best aspects of Nomad’s Clinic. She wrote,“the women who had to worry about the number of layers they had to wear to avoid the embarrassment of menstruating and the discomfort they had with all the layers and the dampness that they had to live with, but were suddenly provided with the reusable hygiene kits with all the necessary materials including underwear – the smiles and the words of gratefulness were worth all the effort and expense.”

Laila Bergman, a nurse with Nomad’s Clinic, wrote,
Women walk for days in the hopes of getting a kit for themselves or a young girl in their family. This small kit contribution makes a colossal difference to girls and women in rural Nepal, as it allows women to receive education by not missing school during their periods. Dignity for all!”

Each colorful kit contains underwear and 8 reusable menstrual pads, as well as soap, a snap in system and carrying bag. The kits are washable and can last up to five years. 

 

These Kits don’t look like traditional pads…and there’s a reason for that. The bright colors camouflage staining. The absorbent liners unfold to look like a washcloth, which allows women to wash and dry them outside in the sun without causing embarrassment. 

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Even though the schools here do not go beyond grade 6, because some students start late, students range in age from 3 to 16. Girls without access to menstrual pads often stay home. If they miss an average of four days of school each month, that is 20 per cent of the school year. Too often this leads to lower grades or dropping out of school altogether.

photo credit: Pema Gojor – Karang School

photo credit: Pema Gojor – Karang School

Tsering Wangmo also wrote, ‘The world would definitely be a better place if every individual carried the intention for being of service and sharing like those who served in the Nomads Clinic. May we be able to integrate our happiness, learning, and experience and reach further.’

  • Read Rebecca Solnit’s article “Medical Mountaineers” published in The New Yorker to get a feel for this journey of service.
  • Visit the Nomads Clinic Website for more stories, pictures, and updates.

photo credit: Dan Lin

Donations of any amount are most welcome and appreciated! We will be happy to personalize the card for you.

“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.”

― Margaret Mead