KTDA Foundation – ETP Dignity Kits Programme
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected farmers in tea growing areas in that the communities are now faced with multiple challenges – from the risk of contracting the virus itself and its impact on overstretched health services, to the knock-on repercussions from containment measures on health, education and livelihoods systems.
Young boys and girls from low income homes have been immensely affected by this as their caregivers may no longer afford hygiene items. KTDA Foundation in partnership with Ethical Tea Partnership started a dignity kit initiative that will respond to this challenge.
The main aim of the programme was to donate 157 dignity kits to vulnerable girls and boys in tea growing zones. Momul, Makomboki, Mungania, Imenti and Kapkoros factories were the main beneficiaries of the programme. The total cost of the kits was approximately Ksh. 800,000.
As part of the larger initiative, vulnerable girls in Kabiangek Primary School, under Boito Tea Factory catchment also benefited from the programme. The school got reprieve after an unfortunate incident where a class six pupil committed suicide after allegedly being shamed for her menses. The kits were distributed to 15 Class 8 girls from needy homes with special needs in the region. Each kit contains sanitary towels, panties, soap, tissue paper, a comb, toothpaste and a toothbrush, a towel, a torch, a pair of sandals and a lesso. The sanitary towels are expected to sustain the girls for seven months.
Dignity kits donation at Kabiangek Primary School
The Foundation also donated 14 dignity kits to vulnerable girls in Makomboki Tea Factory catchment. Through the Gender Committee at the factory, the kits were distributed to 14 girls from needy homes with special needs in the region. Each kit contains sanitary towels, panties, soap, tissue paper, a comb, toothpaste and a toothbrush, a towel, a torch, a pair of sandals and a lesso. The sanitary towels are expected to sustain the girls for seven months.
Makomboki Gender Committee with dignity kits for distribution