Sophia Lothrop

Kamusta (hello) Philippines!

in Blog / go! / manufacturing / production / travel blog  by Sophia Lothrop

As you probably know, SHE is shaking up the pad industry in Rwanda by making menstrual pads in part from banana fiber. BUT the Philippines have also found innovative ways to use our fiber cousin, the ABACA plant. SHE’s technical guru, Leah, headed there for two weeks to see exactly what the Philippines were up to and here is what she found!

Why is the Philippines the #1 exporter of abaca fiber?

If you’re like me, you’re probably wondering why people even farm abaca fiber… well it turns out that abaca fiber has a long history of being used to make paper and rope due to its fiber strength!

Why is SHE interested in ABACA fiber??

We love our banana fiber menstrual pads and we are always looking for ways to improve our process. So, Leah (SHE’s technical director and in house engineer) visited the Philippines to learn more about the fiber extraction and supply processes from our fiber cousins (the abaca plant). Over her stay, Leah visited a host of different sites specializing in fiber production, quality standards, and extraction.

In short, our tech guru will use this information to hopefully enhance and expand our ability to process banana fiber in Rwanda so that more women and girls can have access to affordable menstrual pads!

SO what did SHE find?

Despite being fiber cousins, the process used is slightly different (due to the abaca plants’ fiber strength). In the Philippines, a specialized machine is used to process this fiber; though this exact process is not suitable for banana fiber, Leah is interested in using a similar technique with banana fibers!

machinery processing the abaca fiber

HOW THIS HELPS SHE:

In terms of $$$, both plants average a similar extraction cost, but Leah still learned different ways to potentially reduce our cost back in Rwanda. The farmers in the Philippines worked with smaller portions of the plant stem which can create an easier and more cost-effective supply chain. SHE is investigating this strategy in Rwanda!

From learning first-hand about how the Philippines process abaca fiber, SHE can hopefully make better use of banana fiber in Rwanda. Enhancing the production of go! pads means that more women and girls can have access to affordable menstrual pads. Thanks for your work in the Philippines Leah, now let’s make better go! pads at home!

Meet the SHE Interns!

in Blog / Meet the SHE Team  by Sophia Lothrop

Meet our intern, Ariana Agyemang.

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biological Anthropology at Binghamton University. My parents are Ghanaian immigrants who came to the United States seeking a better future for their children. As a child, my mother told her stories about the sick and poor who do not receive adequate care. As a result, this sparked an interest in global affairs and international health. I am interested in public health, environmental effects, and the social gradient of health. I want to be able to explain why preventable diseases have the opportunity to affect socially disadvantaged communities and populations. Oftentimes, people overlook the socially disadvantaged.

SHE’s mission of investing in self-sustainable methods that not only build communities but also create entrepreneurs is what drew me into the organization. Menstrual health should be very important to everyone especially in countries where taboo and stigma plague women. I personally believe that although we are individuals we are all interconnected. The welfare of our family, community, nation, and world is our welfare. A crucial part of stabilizing International Health comes from every individual realizing that we all play a role in bettering the world. I have always had a strong commitment to international health and improving the health of those whose basic rights have been overlooked. 











Meet our intern, Sophia Lothrop. 










As a soon to be graduate of St. Lawrence University with a degree in political science, I can confidently say that my education has broadened my understanding of the world. From studying in Ghana, Israel/West Bank and Jordan to working in the non-profit sector for multiple years, my college career has provided me with a  perspective the classroom cannot. Over my four month stay in Amman, Jordan, I knew that I wanted to focus my research on the current refugee crisis. Though there is so much need among refugees in Jordan, namely Syrian, Somali and Sudanese, there is an especially large and growing need for women’s sexual and reproductive health. With this topic at the forefront of my research, I knew that I wanted to continue working in this field upon my return to the United States.





SHE caught my attention after looking into international women’s health NGOs. Immediately after reading their mission statement I knew this organization aligned with my ethos.  As someone who passionately believes women’s sexual and reproductive health rights are human rights, I knew that while working with SHE I would be working towards the greater goal of increasing women’s access to necessary menstrual products and education while also spreading awareness of this global issue. It can feel overwhelming trying to tackle such a big problem, but I work for SHE because I know that it is a step in the right direction of women’s equality on a global scale.