Lake Hills Elementary School
Bellevue, WA
Need often goes unnoticed in communities that appear affluent, and Lake Hills Elementary School in the Bellevue School District was no exception. Despite being in a well-resourced area, several students at the school were missing classes simply because they lacked access to menstrual pads.
While Books of Joy typically focuses on educational initiatives in Nepal, we recognized that barriers to education exist everywhere, including in our own community. Access to menstrual products is not just a health issue; it impacts quality education as well. When students miss school due to something as preventable as period poverty, their learning and confidence suffer.
To address this, Books of Joy donated 20 bags containing 14 reusable menstrual pads each, providing a total of 280 pads to students in need. Reusable menstrual pads not only offer a sustainable solution but also reduce long-term costs, ensuring that these students have consistent access to menstrual products and never have to choose between their education and their basic needs.
By taking action locally, we reaffirm our commitment to breaking down barriers to education, however and wherever they may exist.