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Committed to advancing the discussion of menstrual health and hygiene in rural communities, Good Neighbours Canada (GNCA) partnered with the Toronto Korean Presbyterian Church (TKPC) and Good Neighbors El Salvador (GNSV) to deliver menstrual hygiene kits to adolescent girls in Ahuachapán, El Salvador.
To celebrate Family Day in 2025, TKPC invited young girls from 7th to 12th grade to participate in a kit-packing activity, encouraging them to share their goodwill with girls in El Salvador. TKPC generously donated these kits containing underwear, panty liners, sanitary pads, and lip balms to GNCA, who then arranged shipment to El Salvador. Finally, GNSV included Vitamin C supplements in the kits and arranged distribution to 50 young girls aged 12 – 15 from Centro Escolar Cantón El Jícaro.
The girls were happy to receive the items and greatly appreciated the support, a gesture that helped them feel cared for and boosted their self-esteem. Teachers noted the items also served as acknowledgement of the girls’ often-overlooked personal care needs.
This initiative is not only a thoughtful gift – it serves as an entry point to open the conversation on menstrual hygiene, personal care, and overall health for girls in El Salvador. It improved the girls’ confidence in asking questions regarding their personal health, fostering a safe and supportive environment. At the same time, this was an educational experience for the girls in the TKPC community, raising their awareness of other girls in the world lacking access to the same opportunities they have in Canada.
“At home, we don’t buy these kinds of things, and at school I felt happy because they (Good Neighbors) thought of me. I was shy at first, but then I could ask questions.”
In rural communities such as El Jícaro, some households are still uncomfortable discussing personal care and hygiene. We hope that with donations and activities such as these, girls and their families feel empowered to ask questions and address their needs. Working together, we aim to create a safe and welcoming environment for girls to talk about menstrual health and hygiene, encouraging healthy habits and boosting dignity among adolescent girls.
We are grateful to TKPC and Good Neighbors El Salvador for their donations and efforts in coordination; and the teachers and staff of Centro Escolar Cantón El Jícaro for facilitating a smooth, respectful, and child-sensitive distribution process. Their support is vital to help bridging the gap in girls’ health.
Are you a business or group that is interested in helping empower girls through health and education? Learn more by visiting our Girls’ Empowerment page or contact us at hello@gncanada.ca to donate your own menstrual kits or discuss other ways to get involved.
