over the past one year, I have been battling with a dream of increasing access of pads. I pondered on different ways I could achieve this dream, that was the beginning of my EsVendo Journey. A short brief into EsVendo, its a social enterprise that creates innovative hardware and software vending solutions.
The enterprise is running a Social Inclusion Project (SIP). SIP uses sanitary vending machines to increase access of pads for women and girls in Kenyan low income areas. SIP has strategically placed sanitary vending machines in Kibera, Kwangware, and Kikuyu. These machine improve access to 400–10,000 people daily in each location.
The Social Inclusion Project also avails the vending machine for purchase to local entrepreneurs who wish to run a business operating a sanitary vending machine.
Why start of with sanitary vending machines
Research shows that over 3 million school days are lost every month because girls do not have access to sanitary towels. After deeper investigation we discovered 65% of women in Kenya also don’t have access to sanitary pads. These statistics compelled us to innovate.
