HKSAI Commemorates Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 at Ushirika, Kibera.
Kibera, Nairobi – May 2026
Laughter, learning, inspiration, empowerment, and celebration filled the grounds of Ushirika Comprehensive School as Hope for Kenya Slum Adolescents Initiative (HKSAI), together with partners, healthcare professionals, community leaders, media representatives, and students, commemorated Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 under the global call for a #PeriodFreeWorld.
The event brought together hundreds of learners and stakeholders with a shared objective: to break the stigma surrounding menstruation, promote menstrual health and hygiene, empower young people with knowledge and confidence, and create a future where no girl misses opportunities due to her period.
From the very beginning, the atmosphere was vibrant and energetic. Songs, dances, laughter, learning, and meaningful conversations transformed the school into a centre of hope, inspiration, and positive change.
Setting the Stage for Change
The event commenced with a warm welcome from the Master of Ceremony, who introduced the guests, partners, learners, and HKSAI staff members.
Staff members took turns introducing themselves with their respective roles within the organization, giving students an opportunity to understand the various programmes that support vulnerable children and youth living in informal settlements.
The host then shared the history of HKSAI, highlighting the vision of the founder and the organization's journey of transforming lives through advocacy, mentorship, education, and community empowerment.
Students learned about HKSAI's commitment to advancing menstrual health awareness, child protection, mentorship, education support, and vocational skills development through the HKSAI Training Centre. The Centre continues to equip young people with practical skills through courses in Information Technology, Fashion and Design, Beauty Therapy, and Hairdressing, helping them build sustainable futures. The introduction laid a strong foundation for a day dedicated to empowerment, dignity, and opportunity.
Director Calls for Hope and Opportunity
Ushirika Comprehensive Director Mr. Kitavi officially welcomed all guests, partners, healthcare professionals, and learners. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day with the students of Ushirika Comprehensive School and encouraged learners to listen attentively to the messages shared throughout the day.
In his remarks, he acknowledged the efforts of all stakeholders working to create brighter futures for children and young people growing up in Kibera and other informal settlements.
He spoke passionately about the importance of nurturing hope among young people while addressing social challenges such as drug abuse, poverty, and vulnerability. He reminded students that their background should never define their future and emphasized the importance of education as a pathway toward transformation and success. His message encouraged learners to dream boldly, remain disciplined, and take advantage of every opportunity available to them.
Learning Through Creativity and Talent
One of the most memorable aspects of the event was the creativity displayed by students.
The congregation was treated to an exciting programme of songs, rap performances, traditional dances, cultural presentations, and poetry.
Learners used their talents not only to entertain but also to educate their peers on important social issues.
A particularly impactful skit highlighted the experiences many girls face during menstruation, including menstrual cramps, stigma, and misconceptions surrounding periods. Through drama and storytelling, students demonstrated the importance of empathy, support, and understanding within schools and communities.
The performances brought energy and excitement to the celebration while showcasing the immense potential that exists within young people when given opportunities to shine.
Menstrual Hygiene Is a Right, Not a Luxury
The event featured insightful discussions led by community advocates, media representatives, and healthcare professionals.
Representatives from SisBros of Zion Community-Based Media, together with Allan from Pidaes Media and Mark from Nation Media, engaged learners in conversations about adolescent well-being, personal safety, bodily autonomy, and respect for personal boundaries.
A key message echoed throughout the event:
"Menstrual hygiene is a right, not a luxury."
The statement reinforced the need to ensure that every girl has access to menstrual products, information, and supportive environments that allow her to live with dignity and confidence.
Speakers emphasized that menstruation is a natural biological process and should never be a source of shame, discrimination, or barriers to education.
Health Professionals Empower Girls with Knowledge
Faith from Kibera Community Health Centre delivered an informative session on menstrual health and hygiene management.
She educated learners on menstrual cycles, proper use and disposal of sanitary pads, personal hygiene practices, and ways of preventing infections associated with poor menstrual hygiene.
The session encouraged girls to ask questions openly and provided accurate information that helped dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation.
Faith emphasized that maintaining good hygiene is essential for health, dignity, and confidence, and encouraged learners to seek guidance from healthcare professionals whenever necessary.
Inspiring Students to Make Better Choices
The Founder of Down-To-Talent Foundation, Allan, shared a moving testimony about his life journey and the challenges he encountered while growing up.
Speaking candidly about the effects of drug abuse and negative peer influence, he reflected on how many of his childhood friends lost their lives because of poor decisions and destructive lifestyles.
Despite facing significant challenges, Allan persevered through education and remained determined to create a better future for himself.
He encouraged learners to:
- Choose friends wisely.
- Avoid drugs and harmful influences.
- Remain focused on education.
- Work hard and stay disciplined.
- Make decisions that support their future goals.
His testimony served as a reminder that every young person has the power to shape their future through the choices they make today.
Chief Rose Encourages Students to Make the Right Choices
Chief Rose inspired students by sharing her journey from growing up in Speaking during the event, she narated how they lived in Kawangware in a family of nine children to becoming an Area Chief in Kibera. Despite facing many challenges, she remained focused on her education and worked hard to achieve her goals.
She encouraged learners to believe in themselves and reminded them that their background does not determine their future.
Chief Rose also cautioned students against drug abuse, early sexual activity, crime, and other harmful behaviors that could disrupt their education and future ambitions.
"Your future depends on the choices you make today. Stay focused, work hard, and do what is right."
Her story served as a powerful reminder that determination, discipline, and perseverance can help young people overcome challenges and achieve success.
Voices of Hope, Resilience, and Possibility
One of the most powerful segments of the event featured personal stories shared by Gloria Madegwa and chief guest Boniface Mwangi.
Their testimonies captivated students and demonstrated that success is not determined by one's circumstances but by resilience, discipline, perseverance, and determination.
Gloria Madegwa: Education Can Change Your Story
Representing the HKSAI Board, Gloria Madegwa reflected on her own educational journey and the financial challenges she faced while growing up in Makadara.
She shared how school fees difficulties threatened to interrupt her education, yet she remained committed to her studies and persevered despite the obstacles she encountered.
Her story reminded students that hardships should never become barriers to ambition, the challenge Boniface underwent including arrest and beaten up. Through their life experience makes them brothers.
Gloria encouraged learners to remain focused on education and to understand that the opportunities they seek tomorrow are built through the decisions and efforts they make today.
"Your Dreams Are Valid"
Students were reminded throughout the event that they possess limitless potential.
Girls were particularly encouraged to believe in themselves and pursue their aspirations fearlessly.
The message resonated strongly:
"Your dreams are valid."
Learners were encouraged to dream beyond their circumstances and believe that they could become lawyers, doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and agents of change within their communities.
Boniface Mwangi: From the Streets to Inspiring a Generation
The most emotional and inspiring testimony of the day came from renowned activist, photographer, journalist, author, and aspiring national leader Boniface Mwangi.
Standing before hundreds of students, Boniface shared a deeply personal account of hardship, resilience, and hope.
He spoke about growing up in poverty, collecting scrap materials, washing buses, and doing odd jobs to survive. He recalled periods of homelessness and explained how, at one point, he lived as a street child.
Boniface recounted being imprisoned as a child at the age of eleven and later being placed in an approved school. At the schood he was send out of school by minister Joseph and complained about it. He explained systematic mistreatment of sexual harassment, boys were being Sodomized which He choose to come out . At 17 his mother died and he was left Orphan and lived in Ghetto. He shared painful experiences of injustice, loss, and adversity, including the death of his mother at age of seventeen years old.
Many of his childhood friends never escaped poverty, while others lost their lives through drugs and crime. Yet despite these hardships, Boniface refused to allow his circumstances to define him.
Instead, he chose resilience.
His journey from a vulnerable child facing immense challenges to becoming a respected activist, photographer, journalist, author, and public figure inspired learners to believe that transformation is possible.
Life Is Like a Supermarket
One lesson that deeply resonated with students was advice Boniface received from one of his mother's friends:
"Life is like a supermarket. You can take anything you want, but you must be willing to pay the price."
He explained that every choice comes with consequences and that success requires sacrifice, responsibility, discipline, and commitment.
Students were encouraged to think independently and make decisions based on their values rather than blindly following peers.
"Make decisions as an individual. Don't simply follow the crowd."
Discipline, Focus, and Self-Respect
Boniface emphasized that discipline is one of the greatest secrets to success.
He urged students to choose a direction for their lives and remain focused on their goals despite challenges and distractions.
He warned learners about the dangers of risky behaviors and encouraged them to protect their futures through responsible decision-making.
Addressing girls directly, he delivered one of the day's most memorable messages:
"You are powerful. Incredibly powerful. Love yourself every day."
The Secret of Success Is in Books
As an author and lifelong learner, Boniface emphasized the importance of reading and education.
"The secret of success is in books."
He explained how reading transformed his life, expanded his opportunities, and shaped his understanding of the world.
He encouraged learners to develop a reading culture and use knowledge as a tool for personal growth and social change.
A Vision for Girls' Dignity
In keeping with the theme of Menstrual Hygiene Day, Boniface reflected on menstrual health and the importance of supporting girls.
He shared how education helped him better understand menstruation and stressed the need to eliminate myths, stigma, and misinformation surrounding periods.
He advocated for a future where every girl has access to menstrual products, dignity, and uninterrupted education.
Boniface Mwangi's Reflection on Menstrual Health
In a light-hearted moment that drew laughter from students, Boniface Mwangi shared how he first learned about menstruation while in school. He recalled that as a young boy, he misunderstood what periods were and believed that women somehow "laid eggs every month and the eggs broke when they were not taken care of."
The story amused the audience but also highlighted the importance of educating both boys and girls about menstrual health from an early age. Boniface noted that learning the truth helped him better understand the challenges girls and women face and why society must support them with dignity and compassion.
Speaking passionately about menstrual health, he emphasized that no girl should miss school because of her period. He expressed his vision for a future where menstrual products are accessible to all girls and where menstruation is treated as a normal part of life rather than a source of stigma.
In a statement that sparked excitement among learners, Boniface said that if he ever becomes President, he would champion policies to support women and girls, including providing free sanitary pads to all high school girls and ensuring greater recognition of women's health needs.
His message reinforced one of the central themes of the day: that menstrual health is a matter of dignity, equality, and opportunity, and that everyone—boys, girls, leaders, and communities—has a role to play in creating a more supportive and period-friendly world.
Dignity Kits for Learners
As part of HKSAI's commitment to promoting dignity and well-being among adolescents, sanitary pads were distributed to girls while boys received boxers through the organization's dignity kit initiative.
The distribution reinforced the importance of ensuring that every young person has access to essential items that support health, confidence, dignity, and overall well-being.
A Celebration to Remember
As the event came to a close, students, partners, healthcare professionals, volunteers, and guests came together for networking and photo sessions, celebrating the impact of a day filled with learning, empowerment, inspiration, and joy.
The atmosphere throughout the event was remarkable—filled with smiles, hope, excitement, and a renewed commitment to creating communities where every young person can thrive.
The stories shared, lessons learned, and connections built throughout the day left a lasting impression on all who attended.
The message was simple yet powerful:
Your background does not determine your destiny.
Your choices, discipline, education, and resilience have the power to transform your future.
Boniface Mwangi Visits HKSAI and Interacts with Kibera Residents
Beyond his inspiring address to learners, Presidential Candidate, activist, author, photographer, and journalist Boniface Mwangi took time to walk through the Kibera community and visit the HKSAI offices.
During the visit, he interacted with HKSAI staff members, learning more about the organization's work in supporting vulnerable children, adolescents, and youth through education, mentorship, menstrual health advocacy, and vocational skills development.
The visit provided an opportunity for meaningful conversations, the sharing of experiences, and moments of laughter between Boniface and the HKSAI team. Staff members were encouraged by his interest in community-driven initiatives and his commitment to empowering young people.
The visit concluded with light moments, networking, and photo sessions, further strengthening the relationship between HKSAI and partners who share a common vision of creating opportunities and hope for young people living in informal settlements.
His presence at both the event and the HKSAI offices served as a reminder that lasting change begins when leaders take time to engage directly with communities and the organizations working tirelessly to transform lives.
HKSAI extends heartfelt appreciation to SisBro Foundation, Boniface Mwangi, Gloria Madegwa, the Area Chief, Kibera Community Health Centre, Ushirika Comprehensive School, Anehope Foundation, Down-To-Talent Foundation, Brigham Technical Centre, Nation Media, Didack Media, healthcare professionals, volunteers, friends, and all stakeholders whose support made the event a success.
As HKSAI continues advocating for menstrual health, dignity, education, and youth empowerment, the organization remains committed to building communities where periods are not barriers to education, opportunity, or success.
Together for a #PeriodFreeWorld
One Girl. One Pad. One Future.
#MenstrualHygieneDay2026 #PeriodFreeWorld #HKSAIForHer #GirlsEmpowerment #DignityForHer #FlowBilaStress #OnePadOneFuture
