Two caring Dorset women have received the highest honour possible from their volunteering organisation after revolutionising the lives of Kenyan schoolgirls. Joanna Davis reports.

FRIENDS Julie Fry and Meryl Turner have been given a prestigious honour for their outstanding efforts for girls in Kenya.

The two women, who are members of the Rotary Club of Dorchester Casterbridge, received a Paul Harris Fellowship for their commitment to improving educational opportunities and life chances for girls in the Chogoria area of Kenya.

Back in 2017 Julie and Meryl travelled to Kenya for two and a half weeks to do voluntary work with a Weymouth-based group five hours north of Nairobi, in the foothills of Mount Kenya.

Whilst there they noticed that girls were not attending school while they were on their periods.

Julie said: "Sanitary provision and menstruation is a topic that is rarely talked about despite the huge impact on a girl’s life chances due to missed education. Having seen girls unable to go to school due to the lack of sanitary provision we decided to try and help."

Back home in Dorset, Julie and Meryl couldn't stop thinking about how staying away from education during their menstruation would impact the poorest of Kenyan girls who benefit from a free meal while at school. This meal of rice and beans would be the main meal of the day for some youngsters.

Putting their heads together, the two women decided to start sewing washable and reusable sanitary towels so Kenyan girls could attend school while on their periods.

They made 64 packs consisting of nine reusable sanitary towels, five pairs of pants, a flannel, a body soap, a clothes washing soap and a bag to take a clean towel to school and bring the dirty one home.

They returned to Kenya in 2018 and Meryl, who works as a health visitor, gave each girl a health and hygiene talk, while Julie did a practical demonstration on how the items are worn.

Julie said: "The girls, although reserved at first were very receptive to the idea of washing and reusing the towels. The schools were also fully supportive of this initiative to keep girls in attendance."

Again, returning to Dorset, Julie and Meryl were determined to expand the initiative. They took to their sewing machines, creating more sanitary towel packs and spreading the word - getting others involved in the project. They returned to Kenya in February 2019 with more than 1,000 reusable sanitary towels to distribute.

Julie and Meryl were receiving positive feedback that the project was proving a success and that the girls were continuing to use the sanitary towels and attend school while menstruating. They identified more non sponsored girls and rolled the scheme out further.

"By the end of 2019 we had given out a total of over 1,700 washable sanitary towels to more than 250 girls," Julie said.

She added: "Although an amazing number, our aim had always been not to make the area dependant on our hand-outs. So our 2020 trip aimed to identify and train local ladies so they could make the sanitary towels and supply local schools or girls directly, at a cost that local girls can afford. Five ladies were identified and trained on electric sewing machines."

By the end of the trip a workshop/shop kiosk had been rented and the five women received the skills and supplies to start making washable sanitary towels themselves.

Julie and Meryl still have plans to expand the project further and aim to train more women to sew the towels and will open more kiosks.

They said: "We'll expand the project throughout this area, giving more girls an increased chance of education as well as employment for local ladies. Until this is achieved, we will continue to sew in the UK, to distribute to the poorest girls in the area that cannot afford to buy washable sanitary towels."

To date Julie, Meryl and their team of volunteers have distributed more than 2,500 washable sanitary towels to more than 300 girls, giving them a chance to complete their education and have a chance to shine.

The presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow recognition is Rotary Foundation's way of expressing its appreciation for a substantial contribution to its humanitarian and educational programs. It is named after Rotary's founder, Paul Harris, a Chicago lawyer who started Rotary International with three business associates in 1905.

Julie said: "It was a complete surprise and honour to be awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship. I know these are rarely awarded, which makes it even more of a privilege."

Meryl said she never expected to receive the Paul Harris Fellowship.

She added: "The motivation for our efforts has been to help the girls so that they can reach their full potential. As education is their only way out of poverty, It is so wrong that they have to miss schooling due to a natural biological function. I had not anticipated receiving a Paul Harris Fellowship, but am very honoured to accept this award."