On the International Day of the Girl Child, the Smile Again Mountain (SAM) team travelled to West Pokot to stand with girls and teenage mothers who too often face the toughest barriers to health, education and safety. The day combined practical support with honest conversation: we distributed sanitary pads, held a session on gender-based violence (GBV), and opened a space for mentorship.

For many girls, a lack of sanitary products means missed school days, lost confidence and a higher risk of dropping out. For teenage mothers, the challenges are layered: stigma, limited income and exposure to violence. Our outreach was designed to meet both needs, to give girls what they need today and the knowledge and support to protect their futures.