Gigi Ermoyenous Ambassador for our Positive Periods Project

Gigi Ermoyenous explains her motivation for becoming an ambassador for the Steve Sinnott Foundation, and why our Positive Periods Project is so important to her.


Gigi Ermoyenous: I'm in the final year of sixth form and preparing to take my A-levels. I'm also an ambassador for The Steve Sinnott Foundation’s Positive Periods Project, as well as for the charity Period Power.


The challenges caused by menstruation, and the unfairness of period poverty, are two things that for as long as I can remember I have cared about. In 2017 I worked with my school to set up dignity boxes in toilets. I believe that period products are needed just as much as toilet paper, and as one is provided for free, the other should be too.


Environmental impact


My other passion when discussing periods is the benefit of reusable products. People need to be aware of the massive amount of plastic and chemical usage in period products. 90% of pads are plastic, that’s the equivalent of about four carrier bags per product. Not only is this harmful to the environment but also potentially to bodies too, alongside fragrances, beaches, gelling agents, and are causing environmental and health problems.


The most common menstrual products are veritable cornucopia of plastic. Tampons come wrapped in plastic, some encased in plastic applicators, with plastic strings, and most surprisingly include plastic in the body of the tampon. Pads generally incorporate even more plastic, from the leak proof base, the synthetics to absorb fluid, to the packaging, then there are the chemical absorbers, fillers and lubricants, plus chemical and pesticide residues from the manufacturing process.


This is why I campaign to raise awareness of reusable sanitary products. They are a cheaper and more eco-friendly choice.


Helping girls stay in school


A couple of years ago I met The Steve Sinnott Foundation at an NEU (National Education Union) meeting where I learnt about their Positive Periods Project.


I feel honoured and proud to have been invited to work with The Steve Sinnott Foundation. Their Positive Period Project aims to teach communities how to make reusable period packs. We support women in The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Malawi, Haiti and Cuba who struggle to afford period products. This causes them to suffer social stigma, and their education to stop. The Positive Periods Project teaches women and pupils in schools, to make their own reusable period pads from fabric and resources that they can source locally.


Positive Periods is creating independent women who manage their periods with dignity and pride. Girls miss approximately 52 days of education a year due to a lack of period products, and facilities to dispose of them properly. Once girls start to miss school, they often do not return.


Our project is proven to increase and prolong school attendance for girls, and benefits the local economy as the materials are sourced locally. Reusable pads are fairly easy to make and can stay in good condition for years. I've had a go at making some for myself, my family and friends, and intend to introduce the project in my school’s twin college, Asiky College in Namatumba Uganda.


A while ago pupils from my school carried out some research about periods and Asiky College. The results showed that most girls worried about getting their period while at school, and have missed school days because of their periods. An overwhelming number of pupils use items such as rags, newspapers, feathers, or over used disposable sanitary products. This of course can cause many different types of health problems.


The point of the Positive Periods Project is to ensure that girls around the world no longer have to experience this discomfort and indignity linked to their periods. Something that is natural and unavoidable for most women, and should be treated as such.


Thank you for the support


We are especially grateful to everyone who supported this work so far including the NEU and The Open Work Foundation for all their support with this project.


This project speaks to me of something empowering and inspiring. I wish to work with The Steve Sinnott Foundation in the next couple of years to gain first-hand experience. For now however, I will do everything I can to keep this project running, because we all struggled through the Covid pandemic.


I implore you all to donate what you can to support the Positive Periods Project. If you would like to find out what you can do to support the Positive Periods Project, please get in touch with Ann at ann.beatty@stevesinnottfoundation.org.uk or you can support now with our Gift Of Giving for Positive Periods.






Find out more about the our Positive Periods Project here.


Gigi Ermoyenous • February 16, 2022

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.

What happens when creativity, young people, education and community come together?

By Ann Beatty • August 25, 2026
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope. 

Alfa Liv Kalkil - Math concepts for popular literacy classes in Haiti

By Chancy Jak • August 25, 2026
2025 During the annual fomasyon for Alfa monitors, Antoliyis Pye gave an extensive presentation on how best to introduce and develop basic math concepts in literacy classes. The response to his insight and enthusiasm led to our decision to create our own math book for Alfa participants.  In Haiti and around the world, illiterate market women and peasant farmers develop their own techniques for calculating and recording numbers. However, in providing literacy for the development of our people, we must also introduce the world of conventional numeracy. These skills lead to logical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to interpret and make informed decisions on numerical evidence. For a year we worked together to draft the contents of our Alfa Liv Kalkil, seek illustrations, create layout, and finally take our product to the local printer. Funds were provided for 350 copies, enough for each Alfa participant at each of our sites at the present level of attendance. 2026 Our next step was to fully engage each Alfa monitor in the process for introduction and use of Liv Kalkil in Alfa classes. Our two day fomasyon for 2026 was dedicated to ensuring that each member of our team was familiar with the book and comfortable in implementing the concepts with Alfa participants. The sessions were a great success. Every monitor was extremely pleased with this new tool which will allow them and their classes to work together in the world of mathematics. Liv Kalkil is now in service for every participant throughout Alfa, from Limonade itself out to sites in the hills and along the river. It is with some excitement that the monitors and participants are beginning to use our very own, home-grown, math book. In the same way that we already had Goute Sel*, Lekti Netale*, Ti Koze Sou Istwa Peyi Dayiti*, we are proud to have this math book which advances our shared work for the development of our people. We are profoundly grateful to all those who have encouraged and supported us in developing this book. We want to thank our dedicated team of monitors, the Alfa support team in Columbus, Ann Beatty and the Steve Sinnott Foundation, and the many others who contribute to our literacy programme. Chancy Jak (Alfa Co-ordinator) Antoliyis Pye (senior monitor) *Goute Sel: Taste of Salt (base text for Alfa literacy classes) *Lekti Netale (reading comprehension) *Ti Koze Sou Istwa Peyi Dayiti (stories from Haitian history; Alfa second level)