Brief History
About us

Pads and Fruit Trees Initiative Africa (PAFTI AFRICA) was established in 2022 and officially registered as a Community-Based Organization in 2024 in Kajiado County, Kenya. PAFTI AFRICA is dedicated to addressing the critical needs of orphaned and vulnerable girls and young women in marginalized communities. Our programs are designed to improve menstrual hygiene, promote environmental conservation, and provide economic opportunities through skill development.

Inspired by a young nine year old girl named Gabriella, PAFTI AFRICA was born from a simple yet profound idea. After learning about menstruation in school, Gabriella expressed concern about how orphaned girls in children’s homes manage their menstrual hygiene without parental support. This concern motivated her to begin collecting funds and sanitary pads from family, friends, relatives, and schoolmates to assist these girls.

To symbolize the growth and empowerment of these young girls, Gabriella decided to plant a tree for every girl she assisted. This innovative approach led to the creation of the “Pads and Fruit Trees Initiative (PAFTI),” a name that encapsulates our dual commitment to menstrual health and environmental conservation.

Why marginalized areas

With over 9 identified marginalized counties in Kenya, Kajiado being one of them, there is a high rate of poverty making it hard to get basic needs essential for their survival. This affects young girls leading to a high rate of school dropout (74% of secondary-aged children are not in school), drug and substance abuse, teenage pregnancies, and early marriage. It is also evident that:

· Millions of orphans and vulnerable girls lack access to feminine hygiene products like sanitary towels, leading to 95% of girls in Kenya missing 1 to 3 days of school.

· With over 830 children’s homes in Kenya, most lack access to fresh fruits and a sustainable food source.

· Young orphans and vulnerable girls and women brought up in children’s homes often lack the skills and opportunities to achieve economic independence, especially when they are over 18 years old.