DE LA SALLE SANTIAGO ZOBEL SCHOOL-VERMOSA Senior High School Department “a0fying the Lasallian Animo: Living Jesus in Our Hearts” hd “Kaya ni Juan: Towards the Realization of the Sustainable Development Goals” EcoPad: A Seminar and Workshop to Bring Awareness and Skills to the Women of Sitio Makabuhay An Advocacy Project Paper submitted to the Humanities and Social Sciences Unit of De La Salle Santiago Zobel School - Vermosa Campus In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for Research 3: Community Project Proposal Proponents: Arandia, Aleksandrea, L. Azachee, Weila Angela Marie, A. Bancoro, Renquist Gabrielle, D. Ferrer, Valeria Isabel, C. Jiro, Stefi Francesca Marieh, J. Magno, Frances Yvet, F. (Group no. 3) Ms. Alyssa Jade Saniel Research 3 Teacher December 6, 2019vi. vu. vill. Ix. xl. Abstract Context Project Justification Project Aims Project Implementation . Target Group . Expense sheet Management and Personnel Monitoring and Evaluation Project Conclusion References Annexes Other relevant information TABLE OF CONTENTS 36 10-12 1415 15-16 17-18 19-23 24 25-26 27-36 371. ABSTRACT The project EcoPad is a student organized seminar and workshop program which will be implemented as a CAPSTONE project that is aimed to help the community of Sitio Makabuhay in working towards the goal of Zero Extreme Poverty. The project will be catering to the women ages 20 to 55 years old in order to address their issues when it ‘comes fo menstrual products. The researchers looked into the phenomenological aspect of the women's behaviors and practices towards single-use sanitary pads (SSPs) and discovered that there are significant negative effects with the use of the said product which affects their health, budget and environment. The objective of the project is to raise awareness through an environmental seminar on the negative effects brought ‘about by their use of SSPs and the roles that we play in our environment. The workshop's goals to teach the women the necessary skills on how they can make their own reusable sanitary pads with the materials that will be provided for them. This will benefit the women in mitigating current negative physical side effects the women are facing from SSPs, will lessen the expenses spent on menstrual products and improve the waste disposal methods of the women.I. CONTEXT The problem of the women in Sitio Makabuhay when it comes to the lack of altematives to harmful and expensive menstrual products is closely related to cultural factors such as certain behaviors, attitudes and beliefs which hinders them from consuming better and cheaper products. Menstruation has a lot of taboos and mis formation attached to it most especially in rural areas. For a long time, women have learned how to be discreet when it comes to handling their monthly menstrual cycles. Girls report experiencing stress, shame, embarrassment, confusion and fear due to a lack ‘of knowledge, an inability to manage menstrual flow or from being teased by peers (Haver, et al., 2013.) Women in rural areas experience these due to lack of knowledge, fear of being ridiculed by their peers and lack of proper resources and sanitary to cater to their needs. These practices are not solely based on their environment, but also because of their ancestors, and their socioeconomic status. In addition to that, itis stated in the study conducted by Rajanbin Kaur in 2017 that education does play a major role in the menstrual hygiene management of the women. Moreover, education and awareness about the menstrual cycle is the only way that both men and women can put an end to these different false beliefs, and practic ; that the menstrual hygiene practices of women is related to witchcraft which makes the women feel as if they have the need to isolate themselves from the world as everyone is disgusted, and scared of them whenever they have their menstrual cycle. Another study found that the knowledge participants had gained after a seminar will aid in their future (Kasi, 2016) Seminars are found to be an effective way to disseminate information. In particular to this, research, which is to give the participants the awareness of the effects of using single- use sanitary pads to both women and the environment, this seminar will surely benefit the women in the community, thus, proving its effectiveness. Conducting a seminar is aneffective way to address issues as both the speaker and the particioants are communicating. According to a study, “this teaching technique also resulted in the improvement of soft skills such as communication with their colleagues or teachers in discussions.” With the help of this seminar program, the participants are educated about their actions and it's repercussions; therefore, helping them be more conscious and ‘aware about their choices (Babu, 2016) Thus, it is clear that this seminar will be able to educate the women of the community about their mensirual hygiene practices, and how this can be improved without having negative effects on the environment or on themselves. The economical aspect of the problem and the project is mainly focused on the expenses brought about by the use of single-use sanitary pads (SSP). There is a significant ‘amount of money spent to buy SSPs, which is why it becomes a problem since it adds to the expenses of the women. According to a study, the problems rise in relation to the ‘affordability for the given options for menstrual hygiene management. Sanitary napkin is preferred by the women and girls but due to low income and poverty they are unable to afford it (Sansthan, n.d.). This is due to the fact that single use pads are effective and efficient, these single-use pads are made up of synthetic plastic material that releases Volatile organic compound which causes women to experience side-effects such as: rashes, and initations. These pads are costly as it is a one time-use, and a woman experiences her menstrual cycle every month every year. 38.7% of women spend only P50 per month while 29% of women spend P100 per month Given the amount pads ‘consumed by a woman per month with the monthly cost the researchers can compute how much women spend on SSP when they buy one (1) pack per month whether it is priced at P50 or P100 and when they buy two (2) packs per month whether it is priced at P50 or P100.” (Arandia, et al.) And these single-use pads are made up of plastic whichdecompose 500-800 years. With these problems presented, this is the main reason as to why we will conduct our project, in order to help mitigate the use of single-use pads that gives harmful effects to women and to the environment. The project advocates the use of sustainable products, such as the reusable pads since these pads are made up of natural resources and can be used long-term, but most especially this will help them financially as these reusable pads’ costs less than the single-use products. The group's project will help in solving this problem by hopefully removing the additional costs that sanitary pads add to their expenses. ‘Most studies and project proposals on the use of reusable sanitary pads show that women in rural areas have limited access and awareness to hygienic sanitary pads {Sansthan, n.d.). This project proposal comes along with education thus, seminars and workshops are feasible and Humanity Healing International Organization states that, “Educated girls are more likely to become empowered women; they are more likely to take control of theirlives, have economic security, and raise fewer and healthier children who will in tum be more likely to be educated themselves." This supports the claim that seminars and workshops will surely help the women, specifically those who are below the zero-poverty line, practice healthier ways when it comes to their menstrual needs. In ‘addition to this, when women are more educated, they become more aware of various solutions to their problem both for the environment and for themselves, since they have been given the option to make their sanitary pads which are made of natural resources available to them that will help them financially as this can be used for up until five years. The seminar and workshop which will be conducted for the community will aid for the lack of education that the local government has not been able to provide when it comes to healthier menstrual practices. On the other hand, if there is government intervention in this type of situation to address the pressing issue in the environment, thereis a higher chance for a solution. According to a study entitled: Earthly Politics, if the government would take action in this type of issue then there is a higher chance of global progress regarding environmental change as the constitution will take part in the action (Jasanoff, 2013). Government action is seen as a large step for progress and if politics is fervening in this issue, then there will be a bigger chance to aid the problem, making it ‘one step towards global democracy. With the government involving themselves in these types of events which will add more effectiveness in providing support for this project. This program will cater to the women of Sitio Makabuhay, specifically those who ‘are women from ages 20 - 55 years old that may represent a household. A total of 20 women will participate in the program and the program’s venue will be in De La Salle Santiago Zobel - Vermosa. The research group will invite a professional environmentalist as well as a skilled seamstress to help educate the women as to how they may make their ‘own reusable sanitary pad. The group will be providing the women in the community with their own kit of materials, which will be called the Napkit, needed to make the sanitary pads. The materials for the kit will be shouldered by the fundraiser which will be held by the group. The needs assessment activity was conducted by the researchers through surveys and interviews. The survey consisted of questions in filipino regarding the behavior, attitudes and practices of the women towards their menstrual cycle. The questions were categorized into three variables namely: cost, physical side effects and disposal methods.I. PROJECT JUSTIFICATION Initial observations made from the sari sari stores in the community show that the locally available mensirval products are single use sanitary pads (SSP's) or what they also call as Those Days. This prompted the researchers to determine that the women in the community do not have a product alternative. Furthermore, with background knowledge and firsthand experience the researchers saw the urgency of this problem as these SSP's cause negative side effects, are costly, and not biodegradable. To delve deeper into the situation of the women in the community, the researchers conducted a survey regarding their experiences using single use sanitary pads. The questions within the survey were constructed to give information about the cost, side effects, and waste disposal of the single use sanitary pad (SSP). The survey resul!s showed that the cost, side effects, and waste disposal experiences were negative for the women. The long-term cost of the SSP’s is significantly higher than the cost of the proposed reusable sanitary pad (RSP). In one year, the cost will range from P600-P2,400 while in five years the cost will range from P3,000-P12,000. Compared to SSP’s the RSP's costs significantly lower because of its reusability, the RSP costs around P100-P300 and can last up to five years. The survey also revealed that women in Sitio Makabuhay experienced negative side effects like rashes, imitation and discomfort. These side effects may be caused by the synthetic materials used in commercialized pads as it contains phthalates or plasticizers ‘and volatile organic compounds like xylene that is known to cause dermatitis (Park, 2019). The survey also revealed the waste disposal methods used by the women in the community which suggests that the women do not have access to proper disposal places and methods. The SSP’s are being buried in the soil or burned in a community disposal otherwise known as "siga”. These methods are harmful for the environment and ts inhabitants as the plastic in the SSP's make it non-biodegradable therefore the buriedpad will eventually resurface due to rain and floods and pollute the community. The buried pads soaked with blood of an infected woman may contain hepatitis and HIV viruses which retain their infectivity in soil and can live up to six months (Kaur, 2018) Incinerating the SSP’s release fumes that contain the chemical dioxin which is toxic for those in the community as it may cause cancer (5). The survey proved the need for a safer, cheaper and environment-friendly product alternative which is the proposed RSP. The proposed alternative is a reusable sanitary pad (RSP) which is a safe product altemative as it is made out of pure cotton and all organic materials which make it biodegradable and eliminate the threat of chemical intoxication to both its user and the environment. It is reusable as it only needs to be washed properly after every use and with proper care it can last up to five years, this suggests that the use of RSP is cost efficient. Menstrual concems are not usually looked into especially in a low-income community due to how taboo it is and the fact that there are more urgent matters like hunger and water sanitation, although these issues should not disregard and overshadow other concerns like women's menstrual health. The negative effects that can be mitigated by simply switching out the menstrual product shows that these menstrual concerns that affect women's health are often overlooked and underestimated. A woman constantly uses menstrual products and constant exposure to these side effects have cumulative adverse aftereffects. The researchers believe that every woman deserves to have access to a safe menstrual product and to at least lessen the discomfort ‘of going through a menstrual cycle. An even more alarming fact is that these women buy the cheapest sanitary pad on the market that are of the lowest quality therefore the materials and chemicals used may even be more harmful than the pads that have an average to expensive cost. The researchers also see the urgency in implementing the RSP as the effects of the wrong disposal methods pose as a big threat to the whole‘community to both their environment and its inhabitants. Providing them an alternative that will not only be environment-friendly and safe but is cheaper and more practical in the long run is a simple solution to a problem that yields many negative effects. In line with the goal of implementing the RSP the strategy of this project is to conduct @ seminor-workshop entitled Ecopad. An environmentalist will be the guest speaker for the seminar in which he/she will tackle the pressing issues about the harmful effects of waste such as plastic which is the biggest contributor of pollution and environmental degradation. In relation to the effects of the SSP the speaker will discuss the harmful effects of single-use products lke sanitary pads and how to properly dispose of it. In this segment the women will be educated and informed about the current situation that they are in based on the survey conducted by the researchers and the negative implications of the use of SSP's to them and their environment. The seminar is a crucial step as it is important to let the women know the importance of switching to the RSP, therefore they will be more interested in learning about how to make it. The second segment is a workshop that will be led by a skiled sewer and maker of the RSP. The women will be provided with the materials needed to make their own reusable sanitary pad and be taught how to make it themselves. Teaching the women how will make the project sustainable as they will gain a skill that they can use to sell the RSP's and tum it jo a livelihood. At the end of the workshop, participants will be given a Napkit which is a kit containing all the materials enough to make two more RSP's and a printed tutorial on how to make the pad step by step along with the materials needed, its cost, and where they can buy it.IV. PROJECT AIMS The main goal of this project is to improve the 3 main variables in the community, the women's menstrual health, waste disposal, and zero extreme poverty. Specifically, the project aims to improve the health of the women in the community by providing an altemative that does not result in the same negative effects such as rashes, cramps, toxic chemicals causing severe illnesses specifically in the reproductive system, as their current sanitary pad. Given that the researchers have discovered that women in Sitio Makabuhay do not have a proper place to dispose their wastes, the project aims to lessen the negative effects of single-use sanitary pads (SSPs) in the environment. Lastly the project aligns itself with the zero extreme poverty goal in the Philippines by presenting an alternative product that will not only be given to the women in the community but taught to them as to how it is made so that they may execute it themselves. This is an affordable altemative and may in tum result in a form of livelinood for the women in the community. b) Project Objectives The first project objective is to lessen the women's overall household expenses by providing them with an alternative product. Switching to this alternative product will no longer require women to buy single-use sanitary pads each time they get their menstrual cycle. The money that was being spent before on the SSPs will now be allocated for other basic needs. The second project objective is to lessen the negative physical side effects brought about by the use of SSPs. The citemative product will be made of safe and readily available materials which will lessen the women’s experiences of discomfort and inritations,The third project objective is to educate the women about the environmental effects of their use of SSPs with regards to their methods of waste disposal. The women will be attending a seminar wherein the speaker will raise awareness of how their negative practices affect both their health and their environment. ¢) Project Results A. The researchers determined that the women do not have a better sanitary pad alternative. Thus, they aim to implement the use of a Reusable Sanitary Pad (Ecopad) as it is better in all three aspects compared to the SSP. To fully implement the Ecopad effectively and efficiently, the project willneed to accomplish three objectives. The fist is to educate and raise awareness to the women about the current situation they are in, in terms of how their sanitary pad disposal practices affect them and the environment. A seminar will be given by a guest speaker specializing in environmental health matters to discuss the issue fo the women. This objective is important in implementing the Ecopad as they must be educated to realize the importance of why they should use it. Learning about the negative effects brought about their current sanitary pad will give the women a clearer view and understanding of the importance of the project. The second objective is in line with making the project sustainable. In this sense, teaching the skill ‘and knowledge on how to make the Ecopad is crucial to make sure that the alternative presented will remain accessible to them. This skill may open new opportunities for the women as it can be used to make a livelihood. A workshop will be led by an expert RSP seamstress in which the women are guided step by step on how to make it. The third objective is to make sure the women already have the means on how to make the Ecopadconsidering that they live in a low-income community. This is in line with the goal to lessen the expenses of the women. A starter pack called Napkit will be given to the women containing the materials to make the Ecopad and a brochure containing the steps on how to make it and where they can buy the materials themselves. Through these three activities the three objectives will be met that will make sure that the main goal of the project is fulfilled effectively. ——— Seminar Workshop Naplit v v 12V. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION The project is a seminar and workshop entitled EcoPad which first cims to advocate awareness regarding the harmful effects of thei current waste-cisposal practices to the community and its people, and second to provide the women the alternative product which is the Ecopad. In order to successfully implement this project, the researchers first divided the project into two parts. First is the seminar, wherein the researchers will invite an environmentalist to be the speaker in the said seminar event, the speaker will tackle and give information to the women of Sitio Makabuhay the harmful effects of using single-use products both in the community and in the environment and how to mitigate this problem. Second is the workshop, in this workshop a skilled seamstress will teach women how to make their own reusable sanitary pads, this will also give women awareness of the modem reusable sanitary rather than the cloth that was used before. This will also give women the opportunity to lessen their cost in terms of menstrual hygiene needs and they can also gain profit from it as wel. The project will be held in De La Salle Santiago Zobel School- Vermosa Campus. a. TARGET GROUP This program will cater to the women of Sitio Makabuhay, specifically those who ‘are women from ages 20 - 55 years old that may represent a household. A total of 20 women will participate in the program and the program’s venue will be in De La Salle Santiago Zobel - Vermosa. The research group will invite a professional environmentali as well as a skilled seamstress to help educate the women as to how they may make their ‘own reusable sanitary pad. The group will be providing the women in the community with their own kit of materials, which will be called the NapKit, needed to make the sanitarypads. The materials for the kit will be shouldered by the fundraiser which will be held by the group. b. ACTIVITIES The goal of the researchersis to give the women in Sitio Makabuhay an altemative product to use that will replace the single-use sanitary pads. In order to attain this goal, the researchers had to visit the community fist, and conducted a survey last July 19, 2019 regarding the producis they use during their menstrual / monthly cycle. The information gathered through the survey helped the researchers in coming up with a solution, and propose a project entitled: EcoPad, which is a seminar-workshop that talks about the difference between single-use, and reusable sanitary pads, including the negative effects of using single-use sanitary pads. The researchers will also have a bake sale wherein cookies, and cream putts will be sold, and all the proceeds will go to the project for the community. The fundraising letter was written on November 5, 2019, and was given to the Head, Advancement, and Communications Office to be approved. This is needed in order for the researchers to proceed with their project. ‘ACTIVITY (PREPARATIONS) TICE ra fina 1. Design and implement Stor End N training program for project ot management es June July Team 2019 2019 1.1. Conduct needs July uly Team ‘assessment 2019 2019 1.2. Design training Aug Aug Team modules ust ust 15, 28, 2019 2019 1.3. Conduct training ‘Sept Oct Team emb ober er 2019 2019 2, Improve procedure for Oct Nov Team project management ober emb 2019 14er 2019 2.1. Conduct Team management auait of current procedures oma ur) Se UP Ey 3 RESPON Arima 1. Design and implement Stort End Notes training program for project June ‘Aug Team management 2019 ust 2019 1.1. Conduct needs July uly Team ‘assessment 19. 17. 2019 2019 1.2. Design training ‘Aug Nov Team modules ust emb 15, er 2019 2019 1.3. Conduct training 100 120 ‘Semin Team 0 0 arby AM PM Joni Mar Mar Gales ch4, ch tea 2020 4, Works 2020 hop by Zheryt Salan dana n 2. Improve procedure for Febr Febr Team project management vary vary 2020 2020 2.1. Conduct Febr Mar Team management aucit of vary ch current procedures 2020 2020 c. EXPENSE SHEET Activity Ph Material qu Cost for Funding as ant total e ity number of units Conceptu 1 6 aiizing and planning Computer Php 0.00 None 15activity Conceptu 1 izing ond planning Group 3 of activity Printer Php 200.00 1a. Conceptu 40 izing and planning activity Poper Php 0.00 None Fundraiser Paper 15 Php 0.00 None 1 Group 3 of Fundraiser Printer Php 50.00, 12. Baking 100 Fundraiser materials Php 2036.00 Fundraiser 200 Teresa Fundraiser Car Php 0.00 Cuerwa Seminar 20 ‘and Ecopad Workshop materials Php 6500.00 Fundraiser Seminar 6 ‘and Workshop ‘Computer Php 0.00 None Seminar 15 ‘and Workshop Paper Php. 0.00 None Seminal 1 ‘and Group 3 of Workshop Printer Php 50.00 1a. Seminar 2 ‘and Workshop Speakers fee Php 1000.00 Fundraiser Seminar Speakers 2 ‘and fransportatio Workshop n Php 1000.00 Fundraiser 10,806.00 Total Cost:XI MANAGEMENT AND PERSONNEL Community Jiro, Stefi Francesca Marieh, J. Director Social Action Arandia, Aleksandrea L. Office Bancoro, Renquist Gabrielle D. Coordinator Finance Ferrer, Valeria Isabel C. Manager Public Bancoro, Renquist Gabrielle D. Relations Ferrer, Valeria Isabel C. Officer Magno, Frances Yvet F. In charge of being the head of the whole project. Coordinates with the Social Action Office regarding the information about the community that is related to the whole project. In charge of handling the money that is earned from the fundraising activity, and the money that will be spent on the materials needed for the project. Is in charge of communicating with the speakerMedia Team Azachee, Weila Angela Marie A. Magno, Frances Yvet F. Arandia, Aleksandrea, L. Azachee, Weila Angela Marie, A. Bancoro, Renquist Gabrielle, D. Ferrer, Valeria Isabel, C. Jiro, Stefi Francesca Marieh, J. Magno, Frances Yvet, F. and seamstress who will be invited, as well as the possible sponsors for the project. In charge of creating the poster, and teaser video for the project. Also, in charge of taking photos for documentation. The researchers are the proponents of the projectXII, MONITORING AND EVALUATION ACTIVITY DATE INDICATOR METHODS PERSONS. s IN CHARGE Contacting October Check the Through ‘Azachee, of speaker 24, 2019 progress of the use of Weila and invitation or Facebook Angela seamstress response Messenge Marie, A. from the r Bancoro, speaker Renauist every day Through Gabrielle, through the use of D email or email messenger. Fundraising October The Through a Arandia, event 17, 2019 Fundraising bake sale Aleksandr event will ea, L. be Azachee, monitored Weila and Angela evaluated Marie, A, up until the Bancoro, third term Renquistof this Gabrielle, semester. D Ferrer, Valeria Isabel, C. Jiro, Stefi Francesc a Marieh, J Magno, Frances Yvet, F. Academic Decemb The The Arandia, expo er 12-13, academic school will Aleksandr 2019 expo will be provide ea, L. monitored the Azachee, in order to transporta Weila evaluate tion going Angela what needs tothe Marie, A, tobe communit Bancoro, improved y of Sitio Renauist onthe ‘Makabuh Gabrielle, actual date ay, D of the 20project Ferrer, implement Valeria ation. Isabel, C. Jiro, Stefi Francesc a Marieh, J Magno, Frances Yet, F. Gathering of February The will Arandia, materials 22, 2020, gathering collect Aleksandr of materials the ea,L. will be set materials Azachee, before the needed Weila said date for the Angela for the project Marie, A. academic through Bancoro, expo. The the Renquist researchers seamstres Gabrielle, will monitor sherself. D. the Ferrer, progress of Valeria gathering Isabel, C. 2of the Jiro, Stefi needed Francesc materials a Marieh, for the J. project. Magno, Frances Yet, F. Implementati March 4, After The Arandia,, on of the 2020 evalvating project Aleksandr project the will be ea, L. progress held in ‘Azachee, during the the Weila academic Vermosa Angela expo and Campus, Marie, A. the needed the Bancoro, improveme researche Renauist nis in order rs will Gabrielle, to have a handle D successful the event Ferrer, flow, the and there Valeria researchers will be an Isabel, C. will monitor assigned Jiro, Stefi the event place Francesc during the where the 22said date for the implement ation of the project to evaluate its progress. event will be held, a Marieh, J, ‘Magno, Frances Yvet, F. 23XIV. PROJECT CONCLUSION The group's goal was to create an impact on the women of Sitio Makabuhay and this goal led to the idea of addressing more than one issue in the community which were the financial, health and environmental aspects of the women. These issues were addressed by the project of the group entitled "ECOPAD: An Environmental Awareness Seminar and Workshop”. The group provided materials which were used by the women who parlicipated in the event in order for them to learn how to make their own reusable sanitary pads. On the day of implementation, the group was faced with a problem regarding the venue. it tums out that the Testing Room that the group reserved was going to be used by the people who will be taking the entrance examination. The group mediately found an altemative venue where the seminar and workshop were going to be conducted which was in the 12 L classroom. At the moment of discovering that the testing room was going to be used by another group, it was a very big problem because the rest of the venues were already reserved by other research groups. Fortunately, after discussing the problem with the group's Research teacher and coordinator, the group was able fo find a solution by having given permission to use the 12 L classroom. Despite the problem that arose right before the project implementation, the most important thing is that the group was able to come up with a solution with the help of faculty. 24XV. REFERENCES Arandia, A., Azachee, W. A. M., Bancoro, R. G., Ferrer, V. |. Jiro, $. F., & Magno, F. Y. (2019). A Phenomenological Study on the Use of Single-use Sanitary Pads for the Women in Sitio Makalbuhay. De La Salle Santiago Zobel School - Vermosa HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT. Chapter 2: Importance of Mainstreaming. (2017). Mainstreaming Environment ‘and Climate for Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development: The Interactive Handbook to Strengthen Planning and Budgeting Processes, 9-11. Retrieved from https://www.unpei.org/chapter-2-importance-of-mainstreaming- poverly-environment-concerns Haril, M. (2009). Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and skills development for poverty reduction - do rural women benefit?. Gender Pathway Out of Poverty Rural Employment, 2-7. Retrieved from hitp://www.ddugky.info/dms/documents/1529234406 Hartl-formatted_01.paf Haver, Jacquelyn, Bethany A. Caruso, Anna Ellis, Murat Sahin, Jonathan Michael Villasenor, Karen L. Andes and Matthew C. Freeman, 'WASH in Schools Empowers Girls' Education in Masbate Province and Metro Manila, Philippines ‘An assessment of menstrual hygiene management in schools’, United Nations Children's Fund, New York, November 2013. Jasanoff, S., & Martello , M. L. (Eds.). (2004). Earthly Politics: Local and Global in Environmental Govemance. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 25Kasi, B., Vaya, B., Bhagyalakshmi, A., & Kumar. (2016). Evaluation of the effectiveness of the seminar as an educational tool among the medical post graduate students. Intemational Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. doi 10.1 jin Kaur, R., Kaur, K., & Kaur, R. (2018). Menstrual Hygiene, Management, and Waste Disposal: Practices and Challenges Faced by Girls/Women of Developing Countries. Hindawi Joumal of Environmental and Public Health, 2018. doi: htt (doiorg/10.1155/2018/1730964 Park, C. J., Barakat, R., Ulanov, A., Li, Z., Ling, P.-C., Chiu, K., ... Jay Ko, C. M, (2019). Sanitary pads and diapers contain higher phthalate contents than those in common commercial plastic products. Reprod Toxicol. doi 0.101 6/).reprotox.2019.01.005 Sansthan, G. (n.d.) A Project Proposal on Low Cost Sanitary Napkin. An initiative to improve health status of the adolescent girls and women and generate livelinood avenues in rural areas. Retrieved from hitps://ashadocserver.s3.amazonaws.com/1269_AProjectProposalonLowCostSan itoryNapkin.pdf 26XVI ANNEXES PHOTOS PREPARATION FOR THE CAPSTONE PROJECT. Figure 1. Writing the context for the Project Proposal Us 7Figure 2. Creating a draft for the Project Proposal and template. Figure 3. Finalizing the Project Proposal and template. 28Figure 4. Fundraising Event: Bake Sale. 29Figure 5. Preparation for CAPSTONE PROJECT: Writing invitation letters for speakers and sponsorship letters for solicitations. 30Figure 6. Preparing for the ECOPAD event and finalizing program flow. 31THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CAPSTONE PROJECT: ECOPAD. Figure 1. The signatories for the both invitation and sponsorship letters. 32Figure 2. Finalizing Tokens for the Speaker and Seamstress. Conscious Hol Figure 3. Finalizing the Napkit. 33Figure 4. Finalizing decorations for the venue. 34Figure 5. Introducing the CAPSTONE project to the community of Sitio MakabuhayFigure 6. The Implementation of the Seminar and Workshop. 36XVII OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION The group distributed one NapKit for each woman participant. The Napkit had ten (10) materials. These materials were micro suede cloth, windproof cloth, terry cloth, two pieces of Velcro, one pai of scissors, one pack of needles, one pack of pins, one roll of thread, one vanishing pen and a set of three pattem cutouts. 37