At this moment, if you were to start your period, while you would probably be extremely annoyed, it wouldn’t be a burden that kept you from doing the things you needed to. You would take your usual steps: get your sanitary pads or tampons in order, and if you were out, you’d make a quick trip to the store and fill up. But if you are a young woman from Kenya, if your period were to start at this moment, you might have to make an important life decision: food, or sanitary pads?

Many young women in underdeveloped countries can’t seem to afford the sanitary protection we seem to take for granted (not that it isn’t a GRIP here), and because of it, a lot of young girls wind up having to miss school so they don’t stain their uniforms, or resort to wearing rags, some dirty, and run the risk of getting infections. If that makes you concerned, you’ll be happy (we hope) to know that you can help make a difference.

HURU International (Huru means “free” in Swahili by the way) is an organization that helps to provide the women of these underdeveloped countries with sanitary kits that keep them clean and dry, and allow them to go to school and more without letting their menstrual cycle become something that puts their lives on hold. They’ve partnered with o.b. in their efforts, and have started the Share it Forward program. o.b. will donate $1 to HURU everytime a person who shares their message (which you can find HERE) on Facebook. If you’re feeling extra generous, know that $25 is enough to get one girl the kit she needs. Anything helps, so you know what to do.

To check out more about HURU International, and hear one young Kenyan girl’s testimonial about what Share it Forward did for her, hit up the Huffington Post.

Young girls in Kenya with sanitary protection provided by HURU International.