Knickers for New Life's mission is to raise awareness in the US of the barriers Ugandan girls face to health, education, and economic opportunity, and to work toward removal of those barriers.

Many of the girls in Uganda have no access to sanitary pads and basic reproductive health information. They can miss up to six weeks of school a year, getting behind in their schoolwork and often just dropping out of school.  This limits their economic opportunities and increases the risks of HIV infections, unplanned pregnancies, and early marriages.  Educating girls is regarded as one of the best ways to improve a country's economy. In Uganda, less than 38% of the girls complete primary school. This is where KFNL (Knickers for New Life) helps by providing health education, knickers (underwear) and MakaPads through the partnerships they have with the schools.  What started with a single school khas now turned into six schools receiving help.  The funds raised by NFNL are also used to provide latrines for the schools.  There are separate latrines and hand washing stations for the girls and the boys. With the help of a soap maker in Asheville, NC, a special soap was developed that repels mosquitoes.  This soap has been very beneficial in stopping the spread of malaria, which is the deadliest disease faced by the Uganda people.   

KFLN has a Circle of Health & Hygiene:

Knickers – for girls to provide dignity and decrease vulnerability

Makapads - biodegradable organic sanitary pads made in Uganda from locally grown papyrus, allows girls to stay in school and creates jobs providing dignity to work 

Latrines – provide privacy and security for girls and keeps them in school, supported my regular cleaning with bleach for fighting typhoid and maintenance.

KFNL Health & Hygiene Curriculum – basic education on puberty, menstrual hygiene management and proper handwashing taught at all KFNL partner schools.

Tippy Tap Hand Washing Stations – Truly sanitary way to wash hands, using less water www.tippytap.org

Mosquito Repellent Soap – Organic, made in Uganda. Creats jobs and fights malaria (#1 killer in Uganda)

A few facts about Uganda: more than 50% of the population is under 15 years old, fewer than 38% of girls entering primary school will complete their education and HIV infections are 9 times higher in girls than boys of the same age.

To learn more about the Knickers For New Life go to www.knickersfornewlife.org.  Donations can be made on the website.