Education
Health
Entrepreneurship
ESTELA
In Venezuela, 9 out of 10 women face period poverty because they lack the resources to access menstrual products and manage their hygiene properly. Under these circumstances, Meals4Hope developed the Estela project to address this serious problem through the production and distribution of washable menstrual kits (3-year duration) and menstrual/sex education.
In 2022, Ventura joined this important cause by raising funds and developing a strategic partnership with Days for Girls, who in turn donated 4,770 washable menstrual kits. As a result of the work of these three organizations, we helped more than 5,000 girls and women in Venezuela overcome period poverty by distributing 5,292 menstrual kits in 9 states of Venezuela.
Because of the success of this project, Days for Girls decided to donate 6,000 menstrual kits more in 2023, which will be distributed by Meals4Hope in Venezuela. Through this initiative and with the support of our donors, more than 11,000 girls and women in Venezuela will be able to live their menstruations with dignity and safety.
PROJECT COMPONENTS
AND OBJECTIVES
Menstrual/sex education workshops were conducted where girls and women learned more about how to manage menstrual health and uncovered myths and stigmas about menstruation.
Support was provided for the establishment of two Meals4Hope’s production units, which are led by women from the community in Mérida and Anzoátegui states. These units manufactured 522 menstrual kits.
A total of 5,292 washable menstrual kits were distributed to girls and women, which helped them live productive, healthy, and dignified lives during their menstruation:
• 4,770 kits donated by Days for Girls
• 522 kits produced by Meals4Hope
Several activities were conducted to increase awareness and promote action to address menstrual poverty.
RESULTS
The Estela project met the goals set to alleviate period poverty in Venezuela. We thank all our donors and collaborators for helping us change the lives of more than 5,000 girls and women in Venezuela in 2022 and secure an additional donation from Days for Girls, through which an additional 6,000 girls and women will receive washable menstrual kits alongside Meals4Hope.
TESTIMONIES
“I really liked the workshop. I learned new things, also about the pads, they actually work. They’re practical to carry in my school bag.” – 11-year-old girl.
“They are safe and excellent. I feel great using them. I already have my little bowl well-kept with the pads for next month. All cleaned up.” –15-year-old teen.
“Since I have used them, I am no longer afraid. Many people told me that with those pads I could get dirty, but that has not been the case.” – 15-year-old teen.
“Well, now I feel safer. I tell my mom that I'm not afraid to go out anymore and that I feel comfortable. And my classmates, who also have received them, tell me that they are very happy with that gift.” – 14-year-old teen.
Impact Indicators
| Component | Indicator | Estimate | Actual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | # of educational activities. | 212 | 229 |
| # of participants in educational activities. | 5.400 | 5.554 | |
| Assistance | # of kits distributed. | 5.300 | 5.292 |
| # of girls and women benefited. | 5.300 | 5.292 | |
| # of states reached. | 9 | 9 | |
| Production | # of communities reached. | 55 | 141 |
| # of production units supported. | 2 | 2 | |
| # of pads produced. | 3.000 | 3.048 | |
| Right to Menstrual Health | # of outreach activities. | 3 | 11 |
| # of participants in outreach activities. | 300 | 305 | |
| # people reached in outreach activities. | 600 | 1.450 |
Additionally,
- July 3, 2022. Carolina Branger.
- September 6, 2022. Venezolanos Siempre NGO.
- October 18, 2022. Broadcaster: Unión Radio.
Program: Esteninf Olivarez and Luis Miguel Núñez. - Oct 24, 2022. Radio station: La Romántica (88.9 FM).
Program: “a tu salud” with María Laura García. - November 14, 2022. Broadcaster: Adulto Joven (88.1 FM).
Program: Mundo Eyla - November 15, 2022. Rotary Miami Brickell.
- November 23, 2022. Broadcaster: Adulto Joven (88.1 FM).
Program: “Mucho que contar” with Ana Virginia Escobar.
- October 25, 2022. "53% of Venezuelan women cannot buy menstrual hygiene products." El estímulo.
- November 14, 2022. "Estela Project: Fighting period poverty in Venezuela." La patilla.
- November 17, 2022. "NGOs promote the "Estela Project" to combat period poverty in Venezuela." Monitoreamos.com.
42 videos
ESTELA'S IMPACT
Estela has a transformative impact in the lives of girls and women:
Access to menstrual products increases purchasing power as girls can go to school and women can work.
Safe menstrual products prevent urinary and vaginal infections.
It mitigates the stigma and shame associated with menstruation.
Addressing period poverty also has a multidimensional impact on society:
Cloth sanitary pads are 7 times cheaper than disposable ones.
Cloth pads are eco-friendly.
Each disposable pad takes 500 years to decompose.
The creation of local production units to make reusable pads promotes community development:
- It generates income sources and employment within the community.
- It provides skills to achieve economic self-sufficiency.
