Stories from Ethiopia

Meet our Dignity Period Team in Ethiopia!

If you've ever wondered how we accomplish our mission in Ethiopia, here are the amazing Ethiopians who work for Dignity Period. These staff members:

1) Educate school girls and boys on changes in human body during adolescence;

2) Educate girls on menstrual hygiene and how to use Dignity Period's reusable pads;

 3) Participate in surveys intended to examine the impact of menstrual education on improving school attendance among school girls and enhancing parental attitudes.

Photo 1, from left to right:

Berhan Dagnew (with DP since 2018), Genet Kehasi (2019), Berhan Solomon (2016), Genet Desta (2016).

Photo 2:

Zenawi Zerihun, Dignity Period project manager and Associate Professor of Psychology at Mekelle University, delivering Dignity Period Kits, followed by a trail of helpers.

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Ethiopian Celebrations

When war broke out in Ethiopia and the pandemic hit, our Ethiopian operations ground to a halt. It was frustrating and disheartening not to meet the needs of the community, which we knew only worsened during the conflict.

So we made a strategic decision to continue to pay the staff who worked for us, no matter how hard it was to raise the funds, in order to provide them with some stability. That decision has created mutual bonds that extend beyond an employer-employee relationship.

"Dignity Period is more than just an employer to me—it feels like family, and I can't find the words to express my gratitude for everything this project has done. The happiest day of my life, my wedding day, would not have been possible without the financial support of Dignity Period. I am truly thankful." - Genet Kehasi

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Lewis and Helen take Dignity Period on the road!

In early July, Lewis and Helen were in Portland, Oregon to attend Wa’Ela Tigray, an annual conference organized by the Tigray Communities Forum NA Inc. (TCFNA) which unites and celebrates the Tegaru diaspora (Tigrayan people) in North America.

The conference is a vibrant weekend filled with cultural showcases, concerts, networking, sports, workshops, and more for all ages. Lewis and Helen strengthened ties and raised awareness of Dignity Period's efforts to equip Tigrayan boys and girls with menstrual education and supplies for girls, so they can focus on math, not menstruation.

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Empower Hour is a chance to learn about just how much period poverty affects the lives of people all around us.

Join Executive Director Angie Wiseman and our partners at Circle of Concern via Zoom for a FREE informative and motivational discussion on raising awareness of #PeriodPoverty.

RSVP Here