Our Story
- 2016 -
While on safari in 2016, Jessie learned of the struggles girls in rural Kenya face managing menstruation. In Kenya, 36% of school-aged girls drop out due to a lack of menstrual products, but studies show providing these resources reduces the drop-out rate to just 8%. This experience and knowledge of the period poverty statistics inspired her to create a solution, as many families couldn’t afford these products, forcing girls to miss school and, tragically, often become childhood brides. Jessie returned to the U.S. determined to help. Developing a reusable pad kit and education that enables girls to manage their cycles and stay in school.
- 2017 -
African Sisterhood was founded with a powerful vision to empower and uplift African women and girls through education, health, and economic opportunities. Driven by a passion for sisterhood and solidarity, our founders established a nonprofit dedicated to breaking barriers and fostering resilience in African communities.
- 2018 -
Volunteers throughout the Long Beach area brought their sewing machines and supplies to the SeaScout Center for a sew day. They cut and sewed cotton fabric into feminine hygiene pads to support African Sisterhood.
- 2019 -
1,000 feminine hygiene kits hand delivered
Distribution locations
Secondary Coed School - Narok County, Kenya
Imani Children's Home - Narok, Kenya
Siyiapei Children's Home - Narok, Kenya
Secondary school and Tasaru Rescue Home -Narok, Kenya
Maasai coed school - Narok County, Kenya
- 2019 -
We enhanced our reusable feminine pad design based on valuable feedback from our distribution locations. To improve absorbency, we increased the inner layers from two to four, ensuring greater absorption and reliability for those we serve.
- 2020-
Approximately 50 volunteers from throughout the area brought their sewing machines and supplies as they gathered for the day to cut and sew cotton fabric into feminine hygiene pads. This sew day located at the SeaScout Center in Naples is to assist African Sisterhood as they prepared for her return to Kenya with another 500 feminine kits for young girls.
- 2020 -
Senator Tom Umber
2020 Women Of Distinction Award
Jessie is honored to be nominated for this prestigious award.
https://sd34.senate.ca.gov/event/2020-women-distinction
-2020-
Stitched at the Heart a documentary film about the evolution of African Sisterhood. Canceled due to Covid.
-2023-
550 feminine hygiene kits hand delivered
Distribution locations
Siyiapei Children's Home - Narok, Kenya
Secondary school and Tasaru Rescue Home - Narok, Kenya
Selenkei Girls School - Narok, Kenya
Kabiangek School - Bomet, Kenya
-2025-
African Sisterhood unveiled a vibrant rebrand to reflect our evolving vision and commitment to empowering African women and girls. With a fresh logo and a revamped website, we enhanced our digital presence to better connect with our community, share our impact, and inspire action. This transformation marked a renewed dedication to fostering sisterhood, resilience, and sustainable change across Kenya. At the same time, we relocated our nonprofit headquarters to Arizona.
-2025-
596 feminine hygiene kits hand delivered
Distribution locations
Siyiapei Children's Home - Narok, Kenya
lemenkei Boarding School - Narok, Kenya
Elemenkei Boarding School - Narok, Kenya
Ol Tukat Primary and High School - Narok, Kenya