STORE, WASH, DRY

‘Store, Wash & Dry’ is a Menstrual Hygiene Management Kit which includes all the necessary components to help girls manage their periods with Grace. Grace Pads is committed to providing high quality reusable sanitary pads designed to last 18 + months.

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 HOW DOES IT WORK?

Our Store, Wash & Dry Kit ensures that girls have the basic resources required to utilise and care for the reusable pads. Our custom designed washtubs ensure that girls who don't have access to sanitation facilities can still store, wash and dry their pads. The separate cleaning system and safe disposal of blood is also crucial for reducing the risk and spread of disease.

 

 
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STORE

The SWD tub helps keep system components intact so that the pads can be maintained appropriately for the duration of the 18+ months. During the “Grow with Grace” workshop, girls are instructed to STORE the soap and pads in the tub and hide it away. The program encourages girls only to use the soap to wash their pads and bodies whilst menstruating. If the soap is not stored away in the tub, the girls or other family members will likely use the soap for other purposes such as laundry.

 

WASH

To ensure the hygiene and longevity of the pads, they should be soaked for a few hours in soapy water. Many girls and women in Malawi lack access to private washing areas where they can discreetly and safely clean their pads. Being able to close the tub means they can collect water from communal areas and transport it to a more private location to wash the pads. The compact design of the SWD tub allows them to soak their pads using minimal water. The size of the tub helps decrease the amount of soap required, allowing the soap to last 18+ months.

 
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DRY

Most women and girls are too embarrassed to hang their pads on the wash line because of stigma and cultural taboo’s. The most common place girls will dry their pads is under the bed which is a breeding ground for bacteria. The SWD tub doubles up as a drying station, the pads can be hygienically placed inside the tub or can be securely hung over the sides and put outside in a private location to dry. Direct exposure to sunlight helps kill any bacteria and reduces drying time.

 

WHATS INCLUDED?

  • Carry bAG

    Once the Grace Pad has been used, it is folded into a small square and placed inside the provided resealable bag for discrete and hygienic transportation until ‘wash time.’

    The “girl friendly” Grace Pads instructions are displayed on the bag to provide relevant information on an issue that is typically viewed as “strictly secret”. Placing this on the zip lock bag serves as a constant reminder of how to manage their periods “with Grace.”

  • WASH tub

    The pink tub ensures that the entire process is private. The tub has a lid so water can be transported from school or a nearby water pumps if water access is restricted. The tubs are produced locally in Malawi and will last a girl up to five years.

  • Underwear

    Underwear is generally not affordable or accessible for many girls in Malawi but is essential for the use of pads. Grace Pads provides high quality underwear as part of the SWD kit.

  • PADS

    Each SWD kit comes complete with 5 pads. Grace Pads are high quality reusable sanitary pads made from soft absorbent material. The waterproof layer protects girls from leaking, giving them the confidence to manage each cycle with Grace. The backing of each pad is made from a colourful, locally made fabric called ‘chitenje’.

  • SOAP

    Two bars of laundry soap are provided with each kit to last approximately 18+ months. Girls are instructed to keep the soap and pads in the tub and only to use the soap to wash the pads.

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‘GROW WITH GRACE’ WORKSHOP

A KEY PRIORITY AT GRACE PADS IS TO EQUIP MALAWIAN GIRLS AND WOMEN WITH THE NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION ON HOW TO MANAGE THEIR PERIODS.

The “Grow with Grace” program is an educational workshop presented to every recipient of Grace Pads. The aim of the workshop is educate girls on how to use and care for their Grace Pads and ensure the Store, Wash & Dry system is being used correctly and effectively. Every workshop is full of fun, dancing and laughter. Girl’s are encouraged to stay in school and focus on their education.

The program provides culturally relevant and appropriate Menstrual Hygiene Education. Menstruation is often associated with dirt and shame and is viewed as strictly ‘secret’ which means it is not openly discussed even amongst women themselves. Grace Pads has designed the ‘Grow the Grace’ program to combat taboos surrounding periods and encourage women to feel more comfortable using the sanitary pads and discussing the topic openly.