Saving Young Girl’s Lives with “The Purity Project”

Standing among a group of 6th and 7th grade girls in a remote Kenyan village during the summer of 2024, it hit me straight in the heart. Have you ever read a scripture over and over, but it wasn’t until you actually lived out the words that they finally resonated with you?

James chapter 1 is titled “Hearing and Doing the Word.” As believers, it’s easy to hear the Word—even to read and study it—but actually doing the Word? That’s a whole different step. It requires obedience, faith, and often, sacrifice.

Living my everyday life in the comfort of my familiar mountain town—Sonora, California—I’ll be honest, I wasn’t waking up each day mindful of helping orphans and widows. Yet James 1:27 makes it clear:

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and

widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

That verse came alive for me in a whole new way—far beyond just reading it.

I don’t know about you, but I want my relationship with Jesus to be pure and undefiled before my Heavenly Father. It wasn’t until I found myself standing in a field with a group of impoverished village children—many of them orphaned girls—that the depth of this verse truly hit me. I was teaching them about basic feminine hygiene, something that, at the time, I learned could ultimately save their lives.

In Africa, specifically in Kenya, adolescent girls can miss over 40 days of school each year simply because they don’t have access to sanitary napkins during their menstruation. This silent, shameful epidemic has already cost many girls not only their dignity but, in some heartbreaking cases, even their lives.

Let me explain.

In rural Kenya, particularly in a small, remote village called Meru, many girls attend school daily—often walking several miles, most of them barefoot, in their government-issued uniforms. However, not all girls are able to attend. Only those whose families can afford the cost of a uniform and school supplies are privileged enough to receive an education.

But getting to school is just the beginning of the struggle. The much larger obstacle lies in what happens during menstruation. In many parts of Africa, menstruation is still seen as a source of shame, and many girls are stigmatized, with some even being considered "dirty" during their period. Access to sanitary products is a luxury few can afford. As a result, these girls not only face the challenge of not knowing how to manage their period hygienically but also lack the necessary feminine products to stay clean and dry.

Let me introduce you to Leah’s story. This young 6th grader took her own life after bleeding on her “expensive irreplaceable” school uniform. She endured beatings and verbal shaming by her own mother before running down to the river to attempt to wash out the blood stained uniform. When the blood would not wash away, she walked with her face cloaked in shame, seeking solace in the embrace of a nearby tree. How could this happen, you wonder? When the weight of survival—barely enough food and clean water becomes an unbearable burden, a heartbroken little girl can only see death as an escape from her torment. This devastating true story was broadcasted on the local news to bring awareness to the local community and the greater world.

The Purity Project was founded with the vision of providing sanitary pads to young girls, ensuring their safety, promoting hygiene, and keeping them in school. The project continually accepts donations to purchase supplies and collaborates with American seamstresses to create washable sanitary pads for distribution. These pads and supplies are delivered three times a year, with the Murungi family undertaking the long journey of 174 miles to the village of Meru. During their visits, they not only distribute the pads but also educate the girls about menstrual care and the importance of sexual purity.

Our trip to Kenya was nothing short of a divine appointment—ordained by God and orchestrated by the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t just a journey to witness life-threatening challenges, but to bring hope.

While we were there, I was deeply moved by the sight of so many orphans wandering the streets. Both of my daughters, ages 11 and 12, accompanied me on this trip and had the opportunity to meet the schoolgirls. They were able to demonstrate firsthand how to use and wear a handmade, washable sanitary napkin something so simple yet life-changing for these girls.

I’m also grateful for my dear friends, Bishop Richard Murungi and his wife Sarah, whose unwavering dedication to the girls of Kenya has been nothing short of inspiring. They’ve sacrificed countless hours to raise awareness about the need for washable sanitary napkins, among other critical issues. Their ministry headquarters are based in Nairobi, but every few weeks, they travel to Richard's remote hometown village in Meru to feed, clothe, and share the gospel of Jesus Christ with the local people.

Have you ever believed something about yourself that was passed down to you by your family—or even by generations before you? I certainly have. I encourage you to seek God and ask if there are any mindsets, generational thought processes, or beliefs that you carry, which were passed down by your family.

Over the years, I’ve witnessed hate for other cultures and racism passed from parents to children. I've also seen how negative beliefs—like "I’m angry because my parents were angry"—can shape the way we view ourselves. Ask God to reveal any mindsets that set themselves up against His truth.

In Africa, there’s a deeply ingrained mindset that women are dirty and disgraceful during menstruation. This belief is rooted in shame, and it must be broken through prayer. We must stand in the gap and pray for this nation, because this mindset, which perpetuates shame among women, is part of the enemy's plan to kill, steal, and destroy God's people.

Satan is like a roaring lion, constantly seeking someone to devour. Ask God to reveal any places in your life where you've unknowingly agreed with beliefs that are not rooted in His grace and love—especially towards other cultures and races.

When we give our lives to Christ, we take on His nature, and His Spirit dwells inside us. We must ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to love others more deeply and to soften our hearts.

Join me in prayer for this nation plagued by deep-rooted strongholds of fear and shame. These women need our help. If you feel led to get involved with the Purity Project and you can help make washable sanitary napkins to save lives or donate is other ways my contact info will be below. I would love to hear from you. God bless you and I pray that Leah’s story brought awareness to your heart and minds to look out for orphans and widows all around us.