More Than a Delivery: The Story Behind the Sanitary Pads

I met Vivian and Jovan through a networking group I participate in—a small gathering that meets once a month via Zoom to share ideas about economic empowerment strategies in Uganda. One of the women in the group introduced me to this remarkable young couple.

Vivian and Jovan recognized a serious need among school-age girls: access to basic sanitary and hygiene items. When girls begin their monthly cycles, many stay home because they don’t have what they need. The missed days add up, often leading to poor performance and, eventually, dropping out of school.

A church in Virginia made reusable sanitary pads, and we delivered them to Vivian and Jovan to distribute in one of Kampala’s poorest neighborhoods. Silly me—I thought that was the end of the story. We would deliver, visit, wish each other well, and go on our way. Wrong!

Vivian is a seamstress—and a talented one, judging from the photos she showed me. She dreams of starting a project similar to Sewing for Hope, helping women and girls gain economic independence and better care for their families.

What an inspiring visit we had as I introduced her to our friends at Sewing for Hope. Together, we talked about what launching a project like this might require—budgets, goals, participants, mentors, and more.

Vivian and Jovan are young, and I couldn’t help but smile each time they called me “Mummy.” Their youth hasn’t held them back; in fact, they’ve already launched several initiatives supporting school-age children in a nearby village. Their hearts for being instruments of change in their country are truly inspiring.

I don’t yet know how this story will unfold or what kind of partnership might develop between The Off Ramp, Sewing for Hope, and Vivian and Jovan. But for now, this is one proud Mummy!