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Success Story: Amisha Pethkar

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She simply handed me a piece of cloth, and I soon realized that she, too, used the same method. For several days, I wasn’t allowed to go to school, touch anything, play, or even enter the kitchen. When I eventually spoke to my teacher, I learned that other girls at my school also used cloth during their periods, and month after month, this became my routine.


Then, a remarkable opportunity came my way. My teacher invited me to attend a conference in New Delhi organized by the Sulabh School Sanitation Club. Filled with excitement, I traveled to Delhi, expecting dance performances and fun activities. But what I discovered there was life-changing—the conference was centered around “Menstrual Hygiene Management.” I was thrilled to finally learn about my body and how to manage my period properly. I discovered sanitary pads, and I was amazed to learn that machines exist not only to provide pads but also to safely dispose of them.


That conference marked a turning point in my life. I joined the Sulabh School Sanitation Club and absorbed everything I could about menstrual hygiene. Upon returning to my village, my first mission was to ensure that my school friends had access to sanitary pads, with support from the Sulabh Sanitation Club. I started conversations with other girls, teachers, and even mothers about the importance of menstrual hygiene.


Today, I am proud to be the Sanitation Ambassador of my village, advocating for menstrual health and hygiene. I am immensely grateful to the Sulabh School Sanitation Club, which came into my life like a guardian angel and transformed

my journey.

I was born into a humble, hardworking family in Peth, a small town in the Nashik district of Maharashtra. My father, despite facing financial hardships, worked tirelessly to provide for our family and ensure that my sibling and I could have a better future. We lived in a rented house, yet he was determined that I attend a good school. I studied in a semi-government school, but despite my talents and enthusiasm for extracurricular activities, I had limited opportunities to explore them.

My life changed unexpectedly one day when I was 12 years old. I woke up to find bloodstains on my dress—it was my first period. Unsure and scared, I tried to speak to my mother, but she didn’t have clear answers.

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