Auckland teen turns a trip to Fiji into a mission to fight period poverty

A trip to Fiji showed teenager Hannah Ganivatu how the cost of something as basic as sanitary pads can affect girls’ lives.

Now, the 13-year-old student at Northcross Intermediate in Torbay, Auckland, is doing something about it.

Ganivatu, who has family roots in Kadavu, is aiming to raise $4000 to buy sanitary products for students at Basden College in Suva. She hopes to collect 50 boxes of pads.

She has already collected 28 boxes as support grows beyond her immediate family and she shares her appeal with the wider community.

“When I went to Fiji last year, I went to the shops because it was my time of the month, and I saw how expensive those pads were,” she told PMN News.

“I was inspired to start this project after learning about period poverty and realizing how much I took these everyday essentials for granted.”

With 28 of her targeted 50 boxes collected, 13-year-old Hannah Ganivatu proves that age is no barrier to making a difference for girls thousands of miles away. Photo/Tina Ganivatu

Seeing the cost first-hand made her think about girls whose families struggle to afford menstrual products.

“I couldn’t sit by knowing that something so basic was keeping girls from going to school and living confidently,” she said. “Menstrual hygiene is a basic human right, not a luxury. When girls don’t have access to these products, it directly impacts their education, health, and dignity.”

Ganivatu hopes reaching her target will give students more than a supply of pads. She wants them to know that people care about their wellbeing and their education.

Each packed pad is labelled with the name of the person who donated to it. Photo/Tina Ganivatu

“Hitting the 50-box goal means providing hundreds of girls with months of reliable support and peace of mind,” she said.

“It sends a message to the girls that people far away care about their well-being, their education, and their lives.”

The project is part of the William Pike Challenge, a youth programme that encourages personal growth through community service.

Ganivatu’s mother, Tina Ganivatu, says her daughter’s commitment to helping others started before this campaign. Hannah previously gathered a box of unused stationery to donate to a school in Fiji.

“As parents, the first thing we had to do was not do it for her, so we’ve had to let her lead,” Tina said. “She’s done a good job; we’ve had to push her as well.”

Tina says the family’s experience of buying period products in Fiji also raised questions about the shame that surrounds menstruation.

Tina Ganivatu says as parents, the first thing they had to do was not do the drive for her, so they’ve had to let her lead. Photo/Tina Ganivatu

“When you buy a pad in Fiji at a supermarket, they wrap it in newspaper… Why are we hiding a basic need for our girls? So, yes, we are obviously very proud of her and what she’s trying to achieve.”

Building support for the drive took time especially when most of the early help came from family. Sharing the appeal on community pages helped bring in more donations.

“My mom shared it on community pages, and people have been very helpful with sending money and pads,” Hannah said.

Teachers at Northcross Intermediate in Torbay have also encouraged her efforts.

“A lot of teachers at my school always come and ask me, ‘Oh, Hannah, you’re doing great. Your project is really amazing.'”

Hannah says the campaign is proof that young people do not have to wait until they are older to make a difference.

Watch Hannah Ganivatu’s full interview below.

“Even if they’re young, they can make a big difference, even if they do a little thing.”

Her message to the girls who will receive the supplies is simple: they deserve to feel supported and to keep pursuing their education.

“You are strong, you are valued, and your education and future matter. I hope these products give you the confidence to go to school every day and pursue your dreams without anything holding you back.”

Hannah says she is continuing to collect donations as she works towards her goal of 50 boxes of sanitary pads for students at Basden College in Suva.