Established in 2006, Project Lokun is a biannual medical humanitarian initiative in Pursat Province, Cambodia, jointly organised by students from the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Puthisastra. Through clinic screenings, education, and community outreach, the project aims to improve health outcomes and empower local communities with the knowledge and resources to lead healthier lives.

One of Project Lokun's key pillars is health education, where we promote health awareness and disease prevention through health education lessons in schools and door-to-door education initiatives. These efforts are made possible through the generous support of partners who share our vision of improving health equity. We are deeply grateful to Peuriste for sponsoring sustainably and ethically sourced bamboo day and night pads, enabling us to strengthen our menstrual health education initiatives and provide essential period care products to the communities we serve to advance menstrual health equity.

Figure 1: Distribution of period pad products donated by Peuriste

Pursat remains one of Cambodia's less developed provinces, where access to menstrual health education and safe hygiene products continues to be limited for many women and girls. For adolescents entering puberty, menstruation can often be accompanied by uncertainty, misconceptions, and stigma, particularly when accurate information and menstrual products are not readily available. These challenges can affect their health and ability to practise safe menstrual hygiene.

Peuriste's commitment to providing sustainable, high-quality period care aligns closely with Project Lokun's mission to promote women's health and well-being through education. Through our primary education programme, our team visits schools in Boun, Takeo, Keo Mony, and Toul Makak to conduct health lessons. For Primary 5 and Primary 6 students, these sessions include discussions on puberty and menstrual health, delivered by our Cambodian volunteers using teaching materials crafted by our project members.

Figure 2: Lesson on menstrual and reproductive health conducted by Cambodian volunteers

The period care products generously donated by Peuriste allowed us to enrich these lessons by incorporating practical demonstrations on the correct use and disposal of sanitary pads. Students were also given the opportunity to handle the products themselves.

Figure 3: Demonstration by volunteers

Figure 4: Students practising how to use period pads 

Each student also received period pads to take home, ensuring they had access to safe menstrual products while reinforcing the healthy practices taught during the sessions.

Figure 5: P6 girls class in Boun village receiving Peuriste products

Beyond the classroom, Peuriste's sponsorship also supported our adult education outreach. During door-to-door visits, our student volunteers and Cambodian counterparts introduced villagers to Project Lokun, invited families to our clinical screenings, and covered topics such as first aid, fire safety, and preventive healthcare. These visits are particularly valuable in reaching households whose children may not attend school or families with adult women who might otherwise have limited access to menstrual health information. The donated period care products served both as practical resources for beneficiaries and thoughtful tokens of appreciation, helping to foster trust and further enhance our efforts to promote menstrual hygiene. The donated period care products also played an important role during our clinic screenings. Distributing them at our donation drive created opportunities for our volunteers to engage with visiting villagers, raise awareness about menstrual health, and reinforce the importance of safe menstrual hygiene practices.

Figure 6: Distribution of period pads on adult education days

Menstrual equity extends far beyond access to period products. It is about ensuring that every woman and girl has the knowledge, resources, and confidence to manage menstruation safely, comfortably, and with dignity. We are incredibly grateful for Peuriste's partnership in advancing this mission. Their generous support has enabled us to reach more women and girls with both practical resources and meaningful education, contributing to healthier communities in Pursat. Together, we hope to continue empowering individuals with the knowledge and confidence to care for their health while taking another step towards a future where menstrual equity is accessible to all.

Live, Love, Lokun L35