Community Healthcare Initiative (CHI) is a system where women in local communities can improve their livelihoods by developing sustainable solutions to their problems. They have built an industry out of simple, low-cost health care solutions to solve some of the most pressing health challenges that women face. Through the design of locally made, reusable and affordable health products for women and girls, she is positioning women to solve their health problems in a more sustainable way. CHI is on a mission to:

• Increase reproductive health awareness and retention rates of girls in schools by building community ownership for reproductive health awareness in communities with little to no access to the relevant information, products, and services.
• Keep girls in school during their menstrual period.

CHI developed an effective, reusable sanitary pad that can be made from locally available materials.  They train girls to make the pads for themselves with whatever materials are available.  They also train women’s cooperatives to produce a quality version, which is Ministry of Health certified, under a common brand that they then sell locally to generate income for themselves. In doing this, they impact the women with knowledge, which is passed on to other women, thereby ensuring standard maintenance.

As part of CHI’s outreach strategy, they created peer-groups for young women and girls who are in regions that characteristically lack education on reproductive health or with those who are at-risk. They support them by developing work plans and goals for bringing reproductive health awareness to their community. CHI has:

• Reduced the school drop-out rate for girls related to reproductive health issues.
• Equipped women with the tools and information to create simple healthcare solutions to their reproductive health challenges.
• Reduced social stigma and cultural beliefs that prevent women from exercising reproductive rights and managing their reproductive health.