Patterns for washable and re-usable sanitary pads
These were designed so that I could use any materials that were available very cheaply in Uganda and, made by the girls themselves, 13 years ago my husband Mike and I started a school in Uganda and only realised 4 years ago when a friend of ours went to visit the school that the older girls were missing school for 4-5 days every month, we realised immediately what the problem was, but as menstruation is a taboo subject in the villages and many girls did not know what was happening to them we were not made aware of the problem. Our friend spoke to the girls and found that the only protection they had was old bits of rag and in some cases just grass, I knew something had to be done but realised that by making and just sending out a few pads myself was not the answer as this is a long term problem, so I went out to the school armed with patterns, materials and machines and taught the girls how to make the pads themselves and also how to make panties as one is no good without the other and this was yet another problem, they had no underwear, since doing this we now have full attendance at school and the project has been taken out to many other schools in the area, giving many girls back their dignity thanks to an NGO who has taken it on, but my girls have also managed to make a small business from this earning small monies for their families and I have since been back to the school and helped them set up a shop where they not only make and sell the pads and underwear but make and design clothes, making a big difference to them their families and the community.
I hope that by putting this on the website many more young girls can be helped. If you need any more information please let me know.
Thanks for thinking of this
Linda Willetts
D19
Please click on this link for Pattern A
Please click on this link for Pattern B
Please click on the below links for each individual coloured pattern –
For a different pattern please contact Marion Tasker
Update on Washable sanitary pad project
Update on the Washable Sanitary Pad Projects
Following the initial workshop at Project Luangwa in Mfuwe, Zambia I was encouraged by the First Lady of Zambia to introduce the workshop into the villages. Getting to some villages was hard, wading across crocodile infested river, and living conditions sometimes quite primitive with no running water or electricity, not to mention utterly basic toilet facilities, but the village ladies were enthusiastic to learn. All the pads were given to local schoolgirls free of charge but due to lack of constant supervision these workshops were not sustainable.
In 2018 a more professional workshop was set up in the city of Lusaka supervised by NPAC Zambia. From here, up to now 52,000 pads have been made and distributed to almost 10,500 girls free of charge. In 2025, with sponsorship from an American charity, the aim is to make a further 30,000 pads. That’s a further 6,000 schoolgirls will benefit and be enabled to attend school full time.
In Malawi we have introduced workshop in Mangochi District and Blantyre. In Kitui Secondary School, Zambia a class was introduced into the curriculum, so the girls and boys learned how to make the pads. 700 ladies, in the local prison who had no access to hygiene facilities were extremely grateful to be provided with pads from the Lusaka workshop.
Two years ago, I was invited by the Ist Lady of Zanzibar to set up a workshop for her Foundation to administer. We began with 3 girls and one boy. Today they have a larger team sewing and over a thousand girls have received pads mostly presented by Her Excellency herself.
This year I returned to visit several workshops and to set up 2 new ones in Tanzania at Dodoma and Dar es Salaam. These have been instigated by Members of Parliament so I have high hopes that they will be successful.
And finally, long distance learning. I was approached by some ladies from Dublin who wished to learn how to make the washable sanitary pads. I sent them my printed instructions and pattern and advised on the fabric. They have now set up a workshop in Lesotho. Similarly, a lady in Uganda has now a workshop there.
Also – Rotary Aquabox (my only English workshop) have a team of ladies making the pads to put in their boxes The first 100 packs of which will be going to Nepal before Christmas.
Future plans are to visit India next year to see what we can do there for Cheryle Berry’s Hope Village.
Marion Tasker (Chairman NPAC)
District 22
marion@taskerpartnership.co.uk
Our latest news and events
D19 – Orange the World – Penrith begin
Members of the Inner Wheel club of Penrith launched their Orange the World campaign in style. ...
D12 – Orange the World – D12 Executive try out their orange
The Executive Team of District 12 try out their orange outfits ready for the Orange the World Campaign. The campaign runs from 25th November - 10th December each year to raise awareness of the need to eliminate violence against women and girls. ...
D2 – Orange the World – Motherwell & Wishaw
Motherwell and Wishaw Club celebrated their 78th Birthday and collected 110 orange food items for the local food bank. At the meeting everyone wore something orange, they showed the Orange the World video, displayed posters and had an orange themed birthday cake....
D4 – Orange the World preparations in full swing
Members of Ripon and Ripon Rowels Clubs are getting their preparations under way for the Orange the World Campaign. They have visited most of the shops in Ripon, asking if they will display posters and orange balloons in their windows. So far, they have covered...
D13 – Orange the World
Inner Wheel members from D13, including newest member, Alison, headed to Eastbourne at the end of October to run a stall at the joint Conference held by Rotary Districts 1120 and 1130. Despite the cold, they were given a warm welcome in the main part. Members, who...
D24 – Orange the World
District 24 decided to have an orange theme at their recent district meeting in advance of the Orange the World Project. APP Anthea Tilsley gave a talk about the project, and the picture shows she made available plenty of information and a lot of orange related...
Orange the World – D1 Montrose
Members of the Montrose Club in District 1 began their Orange the World preparations with a coffee morning. Click here ...
D8 The Mayor visits Ely Inner Wheel
At our October meeting Ely Inner Wheel welcomed the mayor of Ely the Reverend Mike Banyard. Mike gave a humorous description of his life which has included a teaching career that started in Ely then extended to Cyprus, Hong Kong and Germany. On returning to Ely...
D15 Service of Remembrance, Pontllanfraith Cenotaph
District Chairman Sonia Stevens laid a wreath on behalf of Inner Wheel at the Service of Remembrance at Pontllanfraith Cenotaph on Saturday 8th November 2025. In memory of the brave men and women who served and sacrificed. We will remember them.
