Our Story
The story of Aceso began with something as simple as water.
The founder Kirabo Desire owned a farm, and within it ran a stream of water a resource that was both a lifeline and a burden in her village. Seeing the struggles of her neighbors, she made a selfless decision to op en up the stream to the community, offering free water to those who needed it most. The village had been grappling with the challenges of accessing clean water, and she knew this would bring relief to countless families.
One Monday afternoon, as she visited her farm, she noticed a young girl named Sharon, a 14 year old, fetching water alone at 2 p.m. Curiosity tugged at her heart. She wondered, Why is Sharon here, fetching water, when she should be at school?
When she asked Sharon why she wasn’t in class, the girl hesitated before answering. I’m not in school today because I’m on my period, and I don’t have any pads.
The words hit she hard. She had never realized that something as basic as menstrual hygiene could keep a young girl out of school. As Sharon spoke, a deeper understanding began to form in her mind. She walked with Sharon to her home, hoping to learn more.
When they arrived, Sharon’s mother was there, overwhelmed with emotion. With tears streaming down her face, she shared the heartbreaking truth. Sharon’s older sister had been married off at the tender age of 17, not because of love, but because when she began menstruating, her father saw her as old enough to be married. Now, Sharon's mother feared the same would happen to her daughter. She was desperate to prevent history from repeating itself. She knew she couldn’t just stand by. Without hesitation, she provided Sharon with pads so she could return to school. But as she left their home, a new, urgent question echoed in her mind: How many other girls in this village,and beyond, are suffering in silence, unable to attend school because they don’t have access to menstrual products?
She couldn’t shake the thought. Disposable pads were a temporary solution, but were they sustainable? Would they solve the underlying issue, or were they simply a short-term fix in a system that needed long-term change?
And that was when the vision for Aceso was born.
Aceso is not just an organization ,It is a response to the overwhelming challenges young girls face every day that many people don’t even realize exist. It is a commitment to providing the resources, education, and support to ensure that no girl ever has to miss school because of something as natural as menstruation.
Through Aceso, Kirabo is changing the lives of countless young girls, helping them stay in school and empowering them to pursue their dreams while empowering women to attain financial independence!