Hello, My name is Dihein, and I am a high school junior from Washington, USA. My aspiration to pursue a medical career in the future has instilled in me a strong passion for helping others and giving back to my community. Not too long ago, I had the privilege to participate in an event organized by the "Kids Coming Together" organization, where we assembled period packs for those in need in the Seattle area. This experience inspired me to initiate a similar project for the underprivileged young women in my homeland, Sri Lanka.

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Learning about the concept of "period poverty" from my mother opened my eyes to the harsh reality faced by many Sri Lankan girls. The extent of this disturbance for them and how it affects their future are unfathomable. According to Vinthara Goluhewage (2023) at Humanitarian Advisory Group, only 30% of the nearly 4.2 million menstruating Sri Lankans can afford disposable menstrual hygiene products. On top of the ongoing economic crisis, the recent imposition of tax on imported feminine hygiene products has worsened the situation, making it nearly impossible for low-income communities to access this basic necessity.

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The high tax rate of 62.6% plus a 15% value-added tax has driven up the prices of essential hygiene products, making even domestically manufactured sanitary products inaccessible to the low-income population whose daily income falls below 1000 rupees (approximately 4USD). As a result of not having the basic resources to deal with menstruation, young girls in Sri Lanka are forced to skip school during their period and resort to unhygienic alternatives, such as using unsanitary clothes.  

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Thus, I understood the necessity and urgency of addressing this issue and was determined to take action with the support of those who think alike; together, we can help these communities break free from the cycle of poverty and feeling low when they need comfort most, since “menstrual hygiene is not a luxury but a fundamental need”.

Each of your generous donations will directly contribute to purchasing and assembling period packs made from domestically produced biodegradable materials that are environmentally friendly both in production and disposal, and distributing them to those in need in low-income communities in Sri Lanka. Thank you for being a part of this important cause; your support means the world not only to me but also to the brilliant young women in Sri Lanka who will leave a significant positive mark on our world in the future!