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Cardiff Business School

Tackling period poverty in Nepal

Hygiene kits in Siddhing

Helen Whitfield, a professional services staff member at Cardiff Business School, has made a profound impact in rural Nepal through her work to combat period poverty.

Empowering girls in remote Nepal

Through a Public Value Fellowship, Helen’s work has focused on providing sustainable menstrual solutions for remote Nepalese villages, where cultural stigmas and limited access to sanitary products force many girls to miss school each month. This project builds on Helen’s long-standing commitment to the region through her work with the Marigold Chain charity.

The Marigold Chain story

Helen’s connection with Nepal began in 2017 when she co-founded the Marigold Chain in response to the devastation of the 2015 earthquake. Inspired by her ties to affected families, Helen and a friend launched the charity to provide support to isolated mountain villages.

Marigold Chain’s initiatives have included providing school uniforms and sports kits, paying school fees for some children, and even the construction of a health clinic.

Along the way, Helen organised trips to Nepal with Cardiff University students through Global Opportunities, where medical and optometry students volunteered their skills by conducting health checks, distributing glasses, and delivering first aid training.

The fellowship: distributing female hygiene packs

When thinking about how to best provide public value to Marigold Chain and the people in Nepal, Helen decided to focus her Public Value Fellowship on addressing period poverty in remote communities. Period stigma in Nepal often prevents girls from attending school, and single-use menstrual products are either too expensive or unsuited to the limited sanitation infrastructure in rural areas.

Determined to find a solution tailored to the local environment, Helen raised £2,500 to create and distribute 330 reusable hygiene kits to girls across 3 remote villages, allowing them to manage their periods with dignity and without disrupting their education.

Following the fellowship, Helen has been invited to offer several projects for a Cardiff Business School master’s programme, looking at real-life issues facing the rural communities of Nepal.

About The Public Value Engagement Fellowship programme

The Public Value Engagement Fellowship programme at Cardiff Business School supports staff in pursuing projects that generate meaningful societal impact. Fellows dedicate time and resources to issues that affect local and international communities, creating change that extends well beyond university walls.

Helen distributing hygiene kits
Helen distributing hygiene kits

We spoke to Helen to find out more about her fellowship and Marigold Chain…

Can you tell us about a moment during this project that made you realise the impact of your work on the girls and communities in Nepal?

Having worked with a community health worker in Nepal for years to deliver Days for Girls hygiene solutions, a visit in 2019 cemented my resolve to continue supporting rural girls and women.

In February 2024, after hearing that no new hygiene packs had been distributed since before COVID-19, I realised that I had to get back out and continue to provide these packs, as many girls haven't received them, and the few still in use were in poor condition. The 2024 fundraiser is my biggest commitment to providing hygiene packs in this region, all thanks to this Public Value Fellowship.

In what ways do you think this project has impacted the broader community beyond just providing hygiene packs?

I expected quite a lot of push-back from the local communities, especially some of the elders, as these packs mean change to the cultural landscape. However, we were welcomed in, and celebrated which was amazing to experience.

Previously girls and women would be resigned to the 'community hut' for the days of their period, leaving them vulnerable to the elements and poor sanitation, with no access to school or community activities. The female hygiene packs allow them to continue their education and participate fully in community life, reducing stigma and enhancing their freedom. Their period is now private and does not hinder their aspirations or personal achievements. These packs are utterly life-changing, and through this Public Value Fellowship, I had the honour of distributing them and meeting the women in person.

What challenges did you face in implementing the fellowship, and how did you work to overcome them?

One major challenge was organising the distribution in Nepal, narrowing down the villages to support and getting accurate numbers for female villagers. I used the fellowship to pay for my travel expenses and I launched a huge fundraiser for £2,500 to purchase the packs for distribution.

Working closely with local headteachers, health workers and tourist contacts, we got fairly accurate numbers for the female villagers, but this took several months and many messages and calls. Without the fellowship, I could not have afforded to go there and be part of the distribution.

What are your aspirations for Marigold Chain in the coming years?

We will continue to support the community schools and villages, as well as the regional health clinic. My dream is that the young women in the rural communities aspire to support their communities through setting up small businesses including possibly financial and resource cooperatives. This involves a change of thinking and for young women to understand innovation, entrepreneurship and aspiration. How to go about this in an organic and supportive fashion, is taking some thinking about.

What role has your Public Value Fellowship played in helping you build on your work with Marigold Chain?

The Public Value Fellowship has been absolutely incredible for me. I have self-funded my humanitarian work in Nepal since 2015, but since COVID-19, I couldn't finance trips and hadn’t visited since 2019. The fellowship made it possible to return to Nepal, assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the region, and helping me to understand pathways to continue constructive support moving forwards. It allowed us to continue building relationships with the villagers, vital for ongoing engagement.

It has been an honour to be the first professional services staff member to receive a fellowship contributing to the diversity of Cardiff Business School's public value offerings.

Find out more about Marigold Chain.