Homelessness and poverty are things that people struggle with all around the world. People often forget that these people go without some of the most basic items people use every day. One organization started by a teen is addressing that. NowThis is reporting that a teen has started an organization that donates feminine hygiene products to homeless. The news of this interesting idea has caught many people’s attention.
The organization was started by a young woman by the name of Nadya Okamoto. The 18-year-old created the non-profit about two years ago in an effort to help women be able to keep their feminine hygiene a priority even when times become financially difficult. NowThis got the following quote from the young woman as to why she chose to start this charity.
“I had collected this anthology of stories of women using toilet paper, stolen pillowcases, and most commonly brown paper grocery bags found in recycling bins on the street to absorb their menstrual blood.”
Okamoto also contributes her passion to this project to her own personal life. She was once a victim of domestic violence and this led her into depression as well as self-harm. To escape the abuse and the violence, the young women spent some time in a shelter. It is there that she started encountering the women that she wanted to start helping in some way.
In situations of homelessness and poverty, feminine hygiene products are not accessible or affordable. While many people take these items for granted and often do not feel comfortable donating them, people fail to realize that they are just as needed as other products for women facing hard times. This organization is very different and will start addressing a little know but very relevant issue to women. Hopefully, it will set the tone for more people to begin donating these items when thinking about those in need.
