About

Solidarity with Children with Disabilities Initiative (SCDI) is a community-driven organization committed to advancing the dignity, protection, and opportunities of children and young people—particularly children with disabilities and vulnerable adolescents.
SCDI was founded on the belief that every child deserves the right to health, education, dignity, and a safe environment to grow and thrive. Yet in many communities across Kenya, children with disabilities and vulnerable girls continue to face deep inequalities. They are often excluded from schools, stigmatized because of disability or menstruation, and exposed to poverty, violence, and limited opportunities.
Recognizing these realities, SCDI emerged as a grassroots response dedicated to breaking cycles of exclusion and creating inclusive pathways for children and youth to reach their full potential.

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A Community-Led Beginning
SCDI began as a movement rooted in community solidarity. Families, teachers, youth leaders, and community volunteers came together to address the challenges faced by children with disabilities and vulnerable adolescents.
Early community engagement revealed that many of the issues affecting children were interconnected. Lack of access to education, stigma around disability, period poverty, gender inequality, and environmental degradation were all reinforcing one another.
Rather than addressing these challenges in isolation, SCDI chose to develop innovative, integrated solutions that empower communities to respond collectively.

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Driving Social Innovation
Innovation sits at the heart of SCDI’s work. The organization designs community-centered programs that combine health, education, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment.
1. One Plastic, One Pad
One of SCDI’s flagship innovations is One Plastic, One Pad, a circular economy initiative that transforms plastic-based materials into reusable sanitary pads known as Nyadhi Pads.
This initiative tackles two urgent challenges at once:
• Period poverty and menstrual stigma that prevent girls from attending school
• Plastic pollution that harms the environment
By converting plastic materials into reusable pads, the initiative ensures girls have access to affordable menstrual products while also promoting sustainable waste management and environmental responsibility.
Through community production and distribution of Nyadhi Pads, SCDI is helping girls stay in school while contributing to a greener future.

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2. Period Cake – Celebrating Menstrual Dignity
To further break the stigma surrounding menstruation, SCDI introduced a unique community approach known as Period Cake.
When sanitary pads are distributed in schools, girls are celebrated with a symbolic “period cake” to mark the beginning of menstruation as a natural and empowering stage of life rather than something shameful.
This approach helps:
• Normalize conversations about menstruation
• Reduce stigma and shame around periods
• Build confidence among adolescent girls
• Encourage community support for menstrual health
Period Cake transforms what is often treated as a hidden issue into a moment of celebration, education, and empowerment.

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3. Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM)
SCDI also recognizes that achieving gender equality requires engaging boys and young men.
Through the Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) approach, SCDI works with male youth, mentors, and community leaders to promote positive masculinity, respect, and gender equality.
CBIM sessions encourage boys to:
• Challenge harmful gender norms
• Support menstrual dignity for girls
• Prevent gender-based violence
• Become advocates for equality within their communities
By involving boys in conversations about respect, health, and responsibility, SCDI helps create supportive environments where girls and boys thrive together.

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Supporting Children with Disabilities
True to its founding mission, SCDI continues to advocate for the rights and inclusion of children with disabilities.
The organization works with families, schools, and community leaders to promote inclusive education and ensure that children with disabilities have access to learning opportunities, protection services, and supportive environments.
SCDI believes that inclusive communities benefit everyone and that disability inclusion is essential to sustainable development.

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Contributing to Global Sustainable Development
SCDI aligns its work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure that community action contributes to global progress.
Our programs directly support:
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
By promoting mental health, menstrual health, psychosocial support, and community well-being.
SDG 4 – Quality Education
By helping girls stay in school through menstrual dignity programs and advocating for inclusive education for children with disabilities.
SDG 5 – Gender Equality
By addressing menstrual stigma, empowering adolescent girls, and engaging boys through the CBIM approach.
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
Through circular economy innovations such as One Plastic, One Pad, which promotes recycling and sustainable production.
SDG 13 – Climate Action
By reducing plastic waste and promoting environmentally responsible community practices.

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Looking Forward
Today, SCDI continues to grow as a women- and youth-led organization dedicated to social innovation, community empowerment, and sustainable development.
Our vision is a future where:
• Children with disabilities are fully included in society
• Girls experience menstruation with dignity and confidence
• Boys become champions of gender equality
• Communities transform waste into opportunity
• Every child has the chance to learn, grow, and lead
Through solidarity, innovation, and community leadership, SCDI is building pathways toward a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world.

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