WHY IT RATES: Exodus has donated more than 4500 Freedom Kit Bags to date and in May, with the help of travel experts across North America, intends to make even more donations.-Mia Taylor, TravelPulse Senior Writer.
In honor of Travel Agent Appreciation Day, leading adventure tour operator Exodus Travels is working with women's health organization The Freedom Kit Bag Project to bring eco-friendly sanitary wear to underserved communities across Nepal - and donating a Freedom Kit Bag for every booking made in the US and Canada throughout May 2019.
In rural Nepal, a lack of education regarding reproduction cycles and standing cultural practices such as chhaupadi (which labels menstruating females as "untouchable") means that many Nepalese women are prevented from going to school or work and interacting with their communities during their period.
In many regions throughout Nepal, sanitary wear is considered non-essential, and a lack of hygienic protection often leads to dangerous infections which cause infertility. Exodus has been working with The Freedom Kit Bag Project since 2016 to create opportunities for women to lead fuller, more empowered lives in their communities.
"Exodus has donated over 4500 Freedom Kit Bags to date and in May, with the help of travel experts across North America, we plan to do even more," says Sasha Andrews, director of industry relations for Exodus. "We know our travel agent partners value Exodus' social initiatives as much as their clients do, so donating Freedom Kit Bags for every new booking in May is our way of celebrating Travel Agent Day."
A Freedom Kit Bag includes washable pads for daily use, pad-holders, panties, a carrying purse, a waterproof bag for used pads, soap, a washing line and a colorful bag made from recycled saris.
The kit bags are made locally and distributed to villages and schools by the Freedom Kit Project, as part of a workshop where both men and women to raise awareness about healthcare.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore