The organization emphasized the profound impact this will have on students, particularly those who cannot afford sanitary products. Statistics reveal that one in five female students drops out of school annually due to a lack of sanitary supplies. High school girls will receive these pads for free.

The first Keza Pad Bank has been introduced at Groupe Scolaire Sainte Bernadette de Save in Gisagara District, Southern Province, benefiting 374 female students. The unveiling ceremony included training on menstrual hygiene and the importance of maintaining proper hygiene during menstruation.

Gaelle Abi Gisubizo, the founder of Dope Initiatives, explained, “We focused on schools because many children from low-income families cannot afford sanitary products, posing a significant challenge for them.”

The event also featured the Keza Game Quiz, a competition designed to enhance students’ knowledge of reproductive health. Two teams of 12 students each competed, with one participant winning a computer and others receiving various prizes.

Commenting on the initiative, one student remarked, “We don’t have a store selling pads at school, so we have to use the ones we bring from home sparingly. Providing us with free pads will greatly help our daily lives, especially towards the end of the term when our supplies run out.”

Marie Grace Mukashyaka, the head teacher of St. Bernadette Save, added, “Keza Pad Bank will not only assist girls who struggle to afford sanitary products but also help them get accustomed to using technology through the Keza Quiz Game. This game helps students learn and understand reproductive health in a fun way, and they receive pads as a reward.”

Dope Initiatives is a tech project aimed at providing solutions to health-related issues in Rwanda. It won third place in the 2023 Hanga Pitchfest competition, securing a prize of 15 million Rwandan Francs.

Dope Initiatives announced that by next year, 150 schools nationwide will benefit from the distribution of these pad boxes.

The first Keza Pad Bank has been introduced at Groupe Scolaire Sainte Bernadette de Save in Gisagara District, Southern Province.