The official launch of an eight-door girls’ sanitation facility at Koisaram Primary School in Baringo County, Kenya, took place on 15 September 2025. This initiative marks a significant step forward in improving health, dignity, and equal access to education for girls within the community.

Prior to the construction of this facility, many girls at the school faced considerable challenges due to the lack of safe and private sanitation. These conditions contributed to frequent absenteeism, particularly during menstruation, and in some cases led to school dropouts. The absence of adequate facilities also reinforced stigma and limited open discussion around menstrual health, further impacting the confidence and well-being of female students.

The newly constructed sanitation block is expected to significantly reduce absenteeism and enhance academic engagement among girls. By providing a safe and dignified environment, the project supports improved well-being, increased confidence, and the creation of a more inclusive and supportive school atmosphere.

This project was made possible through the support of key partners, including Tools for Life Foundation – Never Give Up, Choose to Make a Change, the main funder of the initiative. Additional support was provided by Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, who also facilitated the distribution of sanitary pads to six schools in the region.

The launch event brought together parents, guardians, students, teachers, school leadership, representatives from neighboring schools, and officials from the Ministry of Education and local government. During the ceremony, speakers acknowledged the longstanding challenges faced by girls and emphasized the importance of this development in advancing gender equality in education.

Alongside the facility launch, a hygiene awareness campaign was implemented across six schools. The initiative focused on menstrual health education, promoting open dialogue to reduce stigma, engaging boys and teachers as allies, and encouraging sustainable hygiene practices within the school communities.

Special recognition is extended to the local coordination team in Kenya, including Sylvia Langwech, Madam Pauline Sego, Elizabeth Awour, Collins Mutai, and Mummy Achieng, whose commitment to coordination, logistics, and community engagement was instrumental to the success of the project.

This initiative represents more than the construction of a sanitation facility. It reflects a broader commitment to empowering girls, restoring dignity, and creating lasting, positive change through improved access to education.