Half Price Hygiene Catch-up

27-09-2010

Back in 2007 BBC World Challenge met Dr Moses Musaazi who reached the final twelve of the competition with his innovative take on feminine sanitary pads in Uganda. For the poorest families of Uganda the cost of imported sanitary pads at US$ 1.50 for 10 is unaffordable. This contributed to these already disadvantaged girls missing school during their periods. This vicious cycle would be difficult if not impossible to break away from.

Musaazi noticed this worrying trend in Kampala and came up with a cheap and effective solution-the MakaPad. This sanitary pad is made from papyrus and paper and costs only US$0.27 per pack. We caught up with him to see how his project is fairing after World Challenge featured his story.

"My project, Half Price Hygiene, has taken several strides since it was filmed. We have set up a full (small scale) factory for manufacturing the sanitary pads, we have set up 2 other satellite factories and a third one will start in September 2010."

Dr Moses Musaazi has also received additional support in his venture from The United Nations High Commission for Refugees who are so impressed by this project that they are planning to build more factories in Uganda and Kenya. The established factories are operated by vulnerable people such as refugees, many who are HIV positive and were victims of the conflicts that ravaged the country for years. This in itself promotes sustainability as these refugees are making products to benefit their own people.

Dr Moses Musaazi has also received additional support in his venture from The United Nations High Commission for Refugees who are so impressed by this project that they are planning to build more factories in Uganda and Kenya. The established factories are operated by vulnerable people such as refugees, many who are HIV positive and were victims of the conflicts that ravaged the country for years. This in itself promotes sustainability as these refugees are making products to benefit their own people.

Posted by Lewis Killeen