Restoring Confidence and Education: Rahma’s Story and the Fight Against Period Poverty in Kenya
In many rural regions of Kenya, girls and women face barriers that have little to do with their talent, intelligence or determination. One of the most challenging is the lack of access to basic menstrual hygiene products. According to UNICEF and local health authorities, millions of women and girls across the country struggle to afford sanitary pads, and a significant number of school-aged girls miss lessons every month due to their periods. For those living in remote communities, stigma, silence and limited resources often combine to create setbacks that affect education, dignity and mental wellbeing. This is the reality Mission Relief have set out to change through its Period Poverty Campaign, which distributes reusable hygiene packs to women and girls in the hardest-to-reach areas. Among the many girls who have benefitted is Rahma, a pupil from a rural village whose story reflects what thousands of girls quietly experience every school term. Rahma’s Story Mission Relief first met Rahma last November during a community distribution of hygiene packs. She was quiet but attentive, watching closely as our team explained how each item inside the kits is used and cared for. Months later, during an assessment visit, Rahma opened up about the struggles she had faced for years. She shared that she often missed school whenever her period arrived. Her biggest fear was staining her uniform, especially in a mixed school where teasing was common. Like many girls her age, the embarrassment felt overwhelming, and staying home seemed like the only option. Rahma explained it in her own words.“When I’m on my period, I often miss school. If I go to school on my cycle, I will stain my uniform and my friends will laugh at me. It makes me feel so ashamed.” Missing school meant falling behind. Falling behind made it harder to keep up. This cycle continued month after month and affected both her confidence and her education. When Mission Relief returned for a follow-up school assessment this September, Rahma was a different girl. She smiled as she spoke about how much had changed since receiving her reusable pads. The fear of attending lessons during her period had faded, and she expressed a sense of control and freedom she had never felt before. She told us:“Thanks to your sanitary pads I won’t ever miss school again. From now onwards I will study hard, in order to achieve my future goals.” Rahma is one of one hundred girls in her village who received a Mission Relief reusable hygiene kit. Each kit contains six reusable pads, soap, clean underwear, a razor and a wash bag. With the right care, the pads last up to three years. For many families, this is the only sustainable and reliable menstrual solution they have ever received. The Mission Relief Period Poverty Campaign The campaign is designed to give girls long-term support rather than a short-term fix. By focusing on reusable products, education and ongoing assessments, the programme helps girls stay in school, improves their wellbeing, and breaks the silence around menstrual health. These kits are more than essential supplies. They offer dignity, safety and a real chance for girls to continue their education without interruption. For students like Rahma, they provide the confidence to sit in class without fear and to focus on their future rather than their worries. How You Can Support A donation of £10 provides one full reusable hygiene kit to a girl in need. This small contribution can protect three years of schooling and help ensure that no girl misses lessons simply because she cannot manage her period. Education shapes futures. With your support, girls like Rahma can stay in school, build confidence and work towards the opportunities they deserve. Mission Relief will continue expanding this programme across rural Kenya, reaching more girls who are still silently missing classes. Together, we can give them dignity, stability and the chance to thrive.
Umrah for Orphans: Giving Hope and Dignity to Palestinian Refugees
For many, the dream of visiting the sacred lands of Makkah and Madinah is a once-in-a-lifetime blessing. Yet, for thousands of Palestinian orphans, widows, and people with disabilities living in Jordanian refugee camps, that dream feels impossibly far away. This January, Mission Relief aims to change that. A Journey of Faith and Healing In January 2026, Mission Relief will take 50 Palestinian orphans, widowed mothers, and disabled individuals from Jordan to Makkah to perform Umrah. These are families who have lost everything, their homes, their loved ones, and the sense of stability that every child deserves. Through this initiative, called Umrah for Orphans, we hope to give them dignity, belonging, and a renewed sense of hope after years of hardship. Halfway to the Goal Thanks to the generosity of our donors and Mission Relief’s Business Partner Circle, we have already raised over £15,000, which is 50% of our fundraising goal. Each person’s journey costs £600, covering travel, accommodation, and all necessary arrangements to ensure a safe and comfortable Umrah experience. With continued support, we can reach our target and make this trip a reality for every participant. Restoring Faith and Dignity The appeal is centered on compassion and faith. For the orphans, standing before the Kaaba will be a moment of comfort and healing. For the widowed mothers, it will offer a chance to pray for strength and a better future for their families. For those living with disabilities, it will represent inclusion and spiritual renewal. Every donation brings them closer to this deeply meaningful experience. How You Can Help Your support can make their long-held dream a reality. As believers, we understand the value of visiting the House of Allah. Imagine being the reason a child, a widow, or a person with disabilities experiences that blessing for the first time. “Will you be their answer to a silent prayer?” Join the Mission Mission Relief, in partnership with our trusted charity on the ground in Jordan, is committed to ensuring this journey is organised with transparency, care, and compassion. Together, we can give 50 Palestinian refugees the gift of a lifetime.
Mission Relief Restores Sight and Hope Through Free Eye Camps in Kenya This October
In October 2025, Mission Relief marked World Sight Day with two eye camps in partnership with the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH). The initiative aimed to provide free eye care to those who could not otherwise afford it, offering consultations, medication, and life-changing cataract surgeries. The camps were organised with the support of Shiloh Eye Association Limited, CHEPs Centre for Health and Education Programmes, and the Fred Hollows Foundation. Free Eye Care for the Community The first camp took place on 8 and 9 October at the CGTRH eye clinic. Over the two days, hundreds of people attended for free eye checks and consultations, prescriptions, reading glasses, and treatment for various eye-related conditions. For many, this was their first opportunity to see an eye specialist. Most of the beneficiaries were people who had been struggling with poor vision or complete sight loss caused by cataracts and other treatable conditions. Restoring Sight Through Cataract Surgery On 14 and 15 October, the second phase of the camp focused entirely on cataract surgery. Fifty people received free operations to restore their sight. For those living with cataracts, blindness can mean the loss of independence and the inability to work or go to school. Through these surgeries, many regained their sight and, with it, the ability to support their families, return to education, or simply see their loved ones again. In Kenya, half of all preventable blindness is caused by cataracts. By providing free surgery, Mission Relief and its partners are helping to reduce that statistic and change lives for good. Real Stories of Change Hamza, Mission Relief’s founder, shared one story that captured the purpose behind the eye camp: “I met an elderly man who had lost his sight years ago and hadn’t done anything about it. Not because there was no cure, but because he simply couldn’t afford the treatment. He has children who depend on him, but without sight, he couldn’t work or provide. He told me he’d just learned to live in the dark. Thanks to the support of Mission Relief and our Business Partner Circle members, he was one of 50 people who had their sight restored through cataract surgery. He’ll be back again today for his second operation on his other eye.” Stories like his highlight why accessible healthcare is essential and how small interventions can transform entire lives. A Ripple Effect of Hope The impact of these eye camps extends beyond the patients themselves. Restoring sight means restoring independence. Those who once relied on others can now work, study, and contribute to their families and communities again. Through regular eye services and cataract surgery initiatives, hundreds of beneficiaries have already received treatment. Mission Relief remains committed to continuing these efforts, ensuring that poverty never stands in the way of clear vision. But we’re not stopping now, we’re holding more eye camps going forward. Help us in giving the gift of sight back to the Kenyan community by donating to our appeal.
Dadaab: One Of The Largest Refugee Camp You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Located in north-eastern Kenya, in Garissa County, the Dadaab refugee complex is one of the largest refugee camps in the world and was originally established in 1991 to receive refugees fleeing the civil war in neighbouring Somalia.It consists of several camps, most notably Hagadera Camp, Dagahaley Camp and Ifo Camp, which together host hundreds of thousands of people.According to recent figures reported by UNHCR, Dadaab is home to over 432,000 refugees and asylum-seekers.Many have lived in the camp for decades, some even born and raised within its confines, having never known anything different than the struggles of the camp. The humanitarian challenges The sheer scale of Dadaab places enormous pressure on infrastructure, services and resources, furthermore the landscape, lack of access to food and water naturally adds to this pressure. How Mission Relief Is Responding Recently, our founder Hamza was honoured to speak at the UNHCR compound in Dadaab, underscoring the importance of strong systems and processes in humanitarian operations. With Mission Relief representing both UK and Africa branches, we are stepping up to support the Dadaab community with a base in the camp, opened in partnership with UNHCR. Our focus at Mission Relief includes: As Hamza said: “Resilience is everywhere, but when paired with structure, it becomes a machine that empowers.” This reflects our belief that dignity and empowerment must go hand in hand with relief. Why This Matters Dadaab is not only one of the largest refugee camps in the world but also one of the most complex humanitarian environments. When systems falter, people suffer. With shrinking global aid budgets and growing needs, particularly driven by climate shocks and conflict in the Horn of Africa, the risk is that communities like those in Dadaab will slip further into dependency and despair. By taking a dual approach, urgent aid plus systems strengthening, Mission Relief aims to help shift the camp’s trajectory from just survival towards stability and dignity. Looking ahead Our plan now is to deepen our engagement in Dadaab over the coming months and years. With the support of donors, field staff, business partners and volunteers, we will: In a setting as large and enduring as Dadaab, short-term fixes will not suffice. Mission Relief is committed to being part of a durable solution, helping ensure that the people of Dadaab are not forgotten and that their resilience is matched by meaningful opportunity and support. Support Our Mission We cannot do this without you, Mission Relief relies on your donations to help support those most in need in the Dadaab Camp and beyond. Whether it’s providing clean safe drinking water, food packs, access to hygiene kits, medical aid or more, your donations can make the difference. Mission Relief works on providing sustainable development as well as immediate aid, ensuring that those in need aren’t reliant on aid forever.
Mission Relief’s Unique Women-Only Deployment: Empowering and Connecting Women and Girls in Kenya and the UK
In June 2025, Mission Relief carried out a landmark women-only deployment across Kenya, marking a significant step in our ongoing commitment to empowering women and girls. Supported by Sophie, Mission Relief’s Women’s Hygiene Representative, the deployment focused on dignity, education, and female-led humanitarian action. The team travelled through Garissa County, Tana River County, and Mombasa County, delivering critical aid and community projects designed to uplift and inspire women across these regions. Reaching Women with Compassion and Purpose Throughout the deployment, the all-female team distributed zakat, food parcels, and women’s hygiene packs, and provided hot meals for orphaned children. Each activity reflected Mission Relief’s belief that empowering women strengthens entire communities. The focus on women’s health and dignity was at the heart of this campaign. In the village of Jenya, hygiene kits were distributed to school girls, enabling them to continue their education without interruption caused by period poverty. Breaking the Cycle of Period Poverty The team held educational sessions on reproductive health, the menstrual cycle, and hygiene, helping young girls understand and manage their wellbeing confidently. They also offered a hands-on demonstration on how to use and care for reusable menstrual pads to ensure they last as long as possible. Each hygiene kit contained six reusable pads manufactured by Mission Relief, along with pants, a razor, soap, and a wash bag. With careful use, these pads can last up to three years, making each £10 donation a lasting investment in a young girl’s education and dignity. Sustainable Change Through Clean Water During the deployment, the team celebrated the opening of a new water well, providing clean and safe water to a rural Kenyan community. The well was officially opened by a mother and daughter duo who had travelled on deployment together, symbolising the intergenerational power of women in humanitarian service. Beside the well, a banana tree was planted to make sure no water was wasted. Overflowing water nourishes the growing tree, which in turn provides fruit and sustenance for the local community, further providing stability and self-reliance for the community. Sharing Joy with Orphaned Girls The sisters also visited a girls’ orphanage, where they spent the day playing, distributing sweets, and sharing moments of warmth and connection. They also provided nutritious dinners, bringing comfort and joy to the children. These visits highlighted the power of female-led outreach, where empathy and understanding create a unique bond between volunteers and the communities they serve. Voices from the Field Fatima, one of the volunteers on the women-only deployment, shared her reflection on the experience: “Compared to my experiences in refugee camps in Jordan and seeing the impact of war, I wanted to understand what poverty looks like without conflict. The people of Africa are so lovely and welcoming, even though they have so little. This was my first ever female-only deployment. I haven’t come across that before, and it was refreshing to be myself among the women. With the period poverty campaign, it felt right that we, as women, were the ones educating young girls who go through it. Who can teach them better if not us?” Her words captured both the spirit and aim of the deployment: compassion, sisterhood, purpose and creating a space for women to be involved in the deployment space in comfort and security, surrounded by fellow women. Continuing the Mission Mission Relief remains dedicated to ensuring that women and girls across Kenya and beyond have access to education, healthcare, and dignity. Our sisters’ deployment demonstrated how empowering women through faith and action can create a ripple effect of change within entire communities. But more work needs to be done and there are many vulnerable communities in Kenya where girls and women still don’t have access to women’s hygiene packs, preventing them from taking part in society, getting an education or generating an income. Your £10 can make all the difference in changing a girl’s life. Missed the deployment and looking for the next sister’s only deployment? Check our deployment page for the latest information.
Mission Relief Partners with Muslim Bikers to Deliver Lifesaving Support Across Kenya
In July, Mission Relief, working alongside Muslim Bikers, completed a two-week nationwide charity deployment across Kenya. The initiative combined brotherhood and a love for biking with the greater good and making a long-lasting positive impact for those in need. The project brought essential aid and sustainable projects to some of the country’s most underserved communities, travelling from Nairobi to Isiolo, Garissa, Tana River and Mombasa. Reaching Remote Communities The journey covered hundreds of miles through rough terrain and remote areas that rarely receive humanitarian assistance. Despite the challenges, the team stayed determined to reach families who have long been overlooked, whilst appreciating the landscape on the way there. Throughout the deployment, school backpacks were distributed to orphaned children, along with women’s hygiene kits, food parcels, and zakat. Every delivery was carried out with care and respect, ensuring that support reached those most in need whilst providing an eye-opening and life-changing experience for those on deployment. “I’m grateful for this opportunity… It’s been very eye-opening experience and words can only describe what we’ve went through, but to actually be here and go through it yourself, it’s an unreal experience.” Sabir, Muslim Bikers. Creating Sustainable Change In addition to providing immediate aid, Mission Relief also focused on projects that will have a lasting impact by helping communities become more self-reliant. These initiatives reflect Mission Relief’s commitment to sustainable development that uplifts people rather than creating dependency on aid. “Sometimes you chase the dunya and you lose sight of the real goal in life which is the akhira and to worship Allah the way he deserves to be worshipped.” Shabaz, Muslim Bikers A Day of Joy for Orphaned Children On 13 July, Mission Relief hosted a Fun Day for orphaned children, filled with games, laughter, and shared meals. A charity bazaar was also held to raise funds for future programmes. Through the Orphan Feeding Programme, 200 children were provided with nutritious meals. It was a day that reminded everyone involved of the importance of care, dignity, and hope. A Partnership Built on Faith and Purpose The collaboration between Mission Relief and Muslim Bikers demonstrated the power of collective effort within the Muslim community. Volunteers and riders travelled across Kenya to deliver help where it was needed most, guided by compassion and a shared sense of duty. Their actions echo the words of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “The most beloved of people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to others.”( al-Mu’jam al-Awsaṭ lil-Ṭabarānī 6026) Continuing the Mission Mission Relief remains committed to supporting vulnerable communities through education, healthcare, clean water, and sustainable livelihoods. The Kenya deployment stands as a reminder that meaningful change begins with sincere intention and a willingness to act. Interested in our deployments? Mission Relief offer several deployment opportunites across the year including our gender-specific deployments (sisters only, brothers only) and more. Explore our deployment page for more information or to keep an eye out for our next opportunity.
Annual Reports & Impact Reports
Transparency is at the heart of Mission Relief. Here you can access our publicly available annual reports and see how your support has helped transform lives, year by year. Why Publish Annual Reports? As a UK-registered charity, Mission Relief is committed to full accountability, governance, and transparency. Our annual reports allow supporters, regulators, and the public to review our financial performance, project impact, and strategic direction. These reports help us build trust, learn, and improve. Annual Reports & Downloads 2024 saw Mission Relief establish itself further in the region, bringing ripples of change in the region including feeding over 10,000 orphans and opening 40+ wells, each supporting communities of up to 2000 people. We also responded to the Bangladesh & Lebanon crises and managed to send doctors into Gaza. Our 2024 annual report details our increased global impact. In 2023, Mission Relief was officially registered as an international NGO in Kenya and saw many ‘firsts’ including the opening of our very first mosque and the opening our period poverty workshop we also delivered £250,000+ of aid in Kenya, Türkiye & Morocco, establishing the beginning of our international outreach. Our 2023 annual report details the impact of our work within this year. In 2022, Mission Relief was officially registered a charity and our journey began! In this year we built our very first water well, sponsored 15 children and conducted our very first deployment. Our 2022 annual report details the establishment of Mission Relief and the beginning of our journey. Key Figures & Highlights Each year’s report is full of data, but here are a few highlights of 2024 and 2025 Governance and Accountability Our annual reports include independently examined financial statements, trustees’ reports, strategic reviews, and breakdowns of project spending, as per the charity commissions guidelines. We embrace independent oversight and publish everything to ensure accountability to our donors, beneficiaries, and regulators.
