Facilitating Inclusive and Dialogue-Based Menstrual Health Sessions for Community Adults

This building block outlines how the SPARŚA Ambassador Program engages adult community members in open, respectful, and evidence-based discussions on menstruation. The approach prioritises dialogue over lecture, creating a space where participants can share their beliefs, practices, and lived experiences, while also receiving accurate information. 

Target groups are identified by Ambassadors themselves or in collaboration with ward offices, municipalities, or metropolitan authorities. These often include mothers’ groups, women’s collectives, youth clubs, and mixed community gatherings. Trusted groups like Ama Samuha or Tole Sudhar Samiti are engaged early to help mobilise participants and endorse the sessions, which greatly enhances credibility and attendance. 

Sessions are adapted to the context and needs of adults. Rather than delivering the same content as in schools, Ambassadors focus on myth-busting, stigma reduction, and practical menstrual health knowledge. This includes clarifying biological facts, discussing hygienic practices, exploring environmentally friendly menstrual products, and addressing social norms that restrict women’s and girls’ mobility, participation, or dignity during menstruation. 

Ambassadors begin by establishing safe space agreements and inviting participants to share their own perspectives through Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The facilitator listens actively, acknowledges local knowledge, and then uses visual aids, product demonstrations, and relatable stories to fill knowledge gaps or correct misinformation. Nutrition and self-care during menstruation are also discussed, linking health to overall well-being. 

Preparation is thorough: Ambassadors coordinate with the programme team for materials, set session dates with local leaders, arrange venues in accessible and comfortable locations, and ensure a variety of menstrual products are available for demonstration. Follow-up visits or recurring discussions are encouraged to reinforce learning and track changes in attitudes. 

  • Collaboration with Trusted Local Actors – Engage ward officers, community leaders, and women’s groups early to gain trust and support mobilisation. 
  • Safe and Respectful Dialogue – Begin each session by setting participation rules that promote open, non-judgmental sharing. 
  • Active Listening – Spend more time listening than speaking, allowing participants to voice their experiences and questions before introducing new information. 
  • Tailored Content – Adapt materials and examples to the cultural and generational context of the group. 
  • Hands-On Product Demonstrations – Show different menstrual products, explain pros and cons, and address environmental impacts to support informed choice. 
  • Logistical Planning – Choose venues that are private, comfortable, and easily accessible for the target audience. Ensure all materials and visual aids are ready in advance. 
  • Follow-Up Engagement – Schedule recurring visits or link participants to ongoing programmes for sustained learning. 
  • A single session rarely shifts deep-rooted norms; regular follow-up strengthens retention and attitude change. 
  • Listening respectfully and without judgment encourages participants to share honestly, which opens the door to correcting misinformation. 
  • Local leaders and women’s groups are key allies in building trust and mobilising attendance. 
  • Myths and taboos are often deeply personal; facilitators need patience and cultural sensitivity to address them effectively. 
  • Product demonstrations and environmental discussions help bridge the gap between abstract health messages and practical, daily life decisions. 
Designing and Delivering Age-Appropriate Menstrual Health Education for Schools

This building block details how the SPARŚA Ambassador Program designs and delivers menstrual health education for students aged 11–17 (Grades 6–10) in Nepal, ensuring each session is relevant, inclusive, and culturally sensitive. 

Schools are chosen based on their proximity to the Ambassador’s community to ensure trust and easy access. Ambassadors map their audience and adapt delivery methods to different age groups. For Grades 6–7 (pre-menarche), sessions focus on building a safe and friendly environment through storytelling, interactive games, and art-based activities. For Grades 8–10 (post-menarche), the focus shifts to clear scientific explanations of the menstrual cycle, phases, and bodily changes, while also addressing myths, stigma, and gaps left by incomplete classroom teaching. 

Visual aids such as flip charts, diagrams, presentations, and flex prints help make abstract concepts tangible. Ambassadors also conduct live demonstrations of various menstrual products—disposable pads, reusable cloth pads, menstrual cups, and tampons—explaining pros and cons, safe usage, disposal methods, and environmental impacts. By linking product choice to environmental awareness, students learn how menstrual health intersects with climate action. 

Nutrition during menstruation is covered to promote physical well-being. Sessions are always inclusive of both boys and girls, which helps normalise menstruation, reduce stigma, and foster empathy among peers. Teachers are encouraged to attend so they can reinforce messages after the session. 

Preparation is key: Ambassadors contact school principals early, establish ground rules for respectful participation, prepare teaching materials, arrange transportation, and ensure all demonstration products are ready. Follow-up is encouraged through take-home leaflets or posters, allowing students to revisit the information later. 

  • Audience Segmentation – Adapt activities for pre- and post-menarche students to match their needs and comfort levels. 
  • Interactive, Hands-On Learning – Use visual aids, role plays, and product demonstrations to engage multiple learning styles. 
  • Safe Participation Rules – Start sessions with simple agreements on respect and confidentiality to encourage open dialogue. 
  • Proactive School Engagement – Approach principals in person to secure support, time slots, and teacher involvement. 
  • Environmental Integration – Include information on how different products affect waste and climate, fostering both health and environmental responsibility. 
  • Teacher Involvement – Invite teachers to join the sessions so they can continue the conversation afterwards. 
  • Follow-Up Materials – Provide schools with leaflets or posters to reinforce key messages after the session. 
  • Younger students respond best to fun, artistic, and emotionally safe methods, while older students value factual clarity and practical detail. 
  • Demonstrating products physically breaks down stigma and makes menstrual care relatable, especially in rural or high-stigma settings. 
  • Including boys in the sessions reduces teasing and builds peer support for menstruating students. 
  • Teacher involvement greatly increases the sustainability of knowledge transfer. 
  • Careful preparation, including early material requests and transport planning, ensures smooth delivery. 
Engaging Key Actors for Menstrual Health Outreach

This building block outlines how to identify, engage, and collaborate with the local actors who enable smooth implementation and long-term sustainability of the SPARŚA Ambassador Program. These include local authorities, community leaders, partner NGOs, school administrations, and ward-level representatives. Establishing trust with these stakeholders ensures legitimacy, secures support for sessions, and opens opportunities for collaboration, resource-sharing, and broader community engagement. 

Ambassadors begin by mapping key decision-makers in their area, including ward officers, municipal representatives, and respected community figures. Early face-to-face meetings secure permissions and build goodwill. These contacts often connect Ambassadors to existing programmes and community groups such as Ama Samuha, Mahila Samuha, Tole Sudhar Samiti, and Users Committees, which can help mobilise participants and spread awareness. 

Partner NGOs are engaged before training begins, contributing to co-designing content, sourcing expert trainers, and sharing proven materials like Ruby’s World from WASH United, NFCC toolkits, and GYAN resources. 

When engaging schools, Ambassadors prioritise in-person visits to principals over emails or calls, respecting local norms and increasing the likelihood of acceptance. Flexibility is essential to handle last-minute changes or rejections. Principals play a key role in organising logistics, allocating time slots, and ensuring student and teacher participation. 

Formal documentation—letters with organisational stamps and signatures—builds credibility and reassures institutions. Understanding local protocols is vital, as some districts require additional approvals from higher authorities. 

  • Stakeholder Mapping – Identify key decision-makers, influencers, and active community groups before implementation. 
  • Early Government Engagement – Meet ward officers, municipal representatives, and community leaders early to secure approvals and explore synergies with local initiatives. 
  • Strong NGO Partnerships – Collaborate with NGOs during programme design to access trainers, co-create content, and leverage their networks. 
  • Proactive School Engagement – Rely on direct, face-to-face communication with principals for smoother scheduling and logistical coordination. 
  • Local Champions – Enlist respected individuals to introduce Ambassadors and vouch for their work. 
  • Formal Documentation – Prepare stamped, signed letters to formalise agreements and avoid administrative delays. 
  • Protocol Awareness – Understand and comply with administrative processes unique to each district. 
  • In-person engagement is far more effective than remote outreach when working with schools and communities in rural Nepal. 
  • Formal procedures, including official letters and stamps, are essential for credibility and often a precondition for access. 
  • Flexibility is key; session dates may change, and having backup options prevents disruption. 
  • Maintaining warm relationships with stakeholders through updates and acknowledgements builds long-term trust. 
  • Aligning Ambassador activities with existing health or education events increases efficiency and reach. 
Creating a Network of Young Educators (Sparśa Ambassadors)

This building block establishes a community-rooted network of trained young educators—known as Ambassadors—who lead awareness sessions on menstruation within their own local contexts. The approach addresses the widespread lack of accurate menstrual health information among both schoolchildren and adults by using peer-led, relatable education. 

Ambassadors are selected from diverse communities across Chitwan, Nawalpur East, and Nawalpur West, ensuring cultural, linguistic, and contextual relevance. Both male and female Ambassadors are recruited to promote shared responsibility for breaking menstrual stigma. 

Before field implementation, Ambassadors conduct community and school mapping to design session content tailored to local needs and beliefs. They participate in intensive residential training on menstruation, SRHR, facilitation, and leadership, followed by mock sessions in local schools. They also form peer support groups—through WhatsApp, weekly calls, and shared online documents—to coordinate, co-create sessions, and sustain motivation. 

The programme prioritises both external impact and the personal and professional development of Ambassadors, fostering the next generation of community leaders and advocates for menstrual health. Regular check-ins, planning meetings, and progress updates keep the network active, responsive, and accountable.

  • Community-Centric Recruitment – Select Ambassadors from their own communities to ensure trust, cultural sensitivity, and relevance. Partner with schools, youth clubs, and women’s groups for recruitment. Use a short application process to assess motivation, availability, and community involvement. 
  • Inclusive Gender Representation – Engage both men and women to foster shared responsibility in menstrual health education. 
  • Flexible Training Design – Combine a pre-designed curriculum with space for Ambassadors to adapt content based on mapping results and local taboos. 
  •  Interactive Training Methods – Use role plays, group discussions, and games to make sessions participatory. Include culturally relevant examples and a “train-the-trainer” component so Ambassadors can cascade their learning. 
  • Skilled Facilitation – Involve expert trainers in SRHR, facilitation, and leadership to build strong knowledge and confidence. 
  • Pre-Deployment Preparation – Run practice workshops and mock sessions before fieldwork to refine delivery. 
  • Ongoing Mentorship – Provide regular guidance, peer support groups, and group reflection sessions to sustain engagement. 
  • Integration with Local Services – Link Ambassadors to health centres and school staff for referrals and continuity of education after the project. 
  • Recruiting passionate youth works well, but including candidates with SRHR or public health backgrounds adds extra value. Take time with selection to ensure long-term commitment. 
  • A 3-day residential training proved too short; a week-long bootcamp allows deeper learning, stronger bonding, and practical application. 
  • Many Ambassadors dropped out due to low motivation or personal commitments. Regular in-person or hybrid check-ins, accessible communication channels (including offline), and incentives such as certificates or small stipends help retain them. 
  • Scheduling sessions at convenient times for target groups and separating sessions by age or gender when needed creates safer spaces for discussion. 
  • Combining menstrual health education with related topics like puberty, hygiene, or environmental impacts broadens relevance and engagement. 
  • Post-session feedback forms and monthly peer meetings help track progress, identify challenges, and share solutions. 
  • Partnering with local institutions early ensures credibility and smoother access to schools and community venues. 
Next Steps: Feedback Based Optimization for outcome-oriented Decisions

Product development does not end with certification. To create menstrual pads that are accepted, trusted, and widely adopted, Sparśa built a structured system to integrate real user experiences into design improvements.

This building block focuses on user feedback surveys and community-based testing of Sparśa pads. The initial questionnaire was co-designed by the team and adapted from international tools, but simplified after field trials revealed that long, technical questions discouraged participation. The refined survey is short, available in both Nepali and English, and structured around everyday experiences of menstruation.

The survey collects both quantitative data (absorbency, leakage, comfort, ease of movement, wearability) and qualitative insights (likes, dislikes, suggestions). It also includes questions about packaging, clarity of information, and first impressions. Importantly, the survey is distributed through Google Forms for easy access and rapid data analysis, but also adapted for offline use where internet is unavailable.

The next stage is scaling up to at least 300 users, ensuring diverse representation across age, geography, and socioeconomic background. By triangulating lab results (Block 3) with user feedback, Sparśa can continuously optimize pad design, packaging, and distribution strategies.

This approach demonstrates that menstrual product development is not only about technical performance, but also about cultural acceptability, dignity, and user trust.

  • Translation of the questionnaire into local languages and simplification of terminology.
  • Structured design linking questions to real-life scenarios (e.g. school, work, travel).
  • Collaboration with schools, NGOs, and local women’s groups to distribute surveys and encourage participation.
  • Use of digital tools (Google Forms) for efficient data collection and analysis.
  • Flexibility to adapt tools for both online and offline contexts.
  • Avoiding complex terminology is essential; many Nepali girls did not understand technical menstrual health vocabulary.
  • Long and complicated questions reduce participation; short and clear formats improve accuracy.
  • Feedback methods should be tested in small pilots before full deployment.
  • User feedback is most reliable when anonymity is respected — especially for adolescents.
  • A dual-language approach (Nepali + English) increases inclusivity and widens data use for local and international partners.
  • Surveys should capture not just performance data, but also perceptions and feelings, which strongly influence adoption.
  • Continuous feedback collection allows for incremental improvements rather than costly redesigns later.
  • Packaging feedback is as important as product feedback, since first impressions influence user trust.
Quality Assurance: Absorbency, Retention and Hygiene Compliance

This building block ensures that menstrual pads are not only functional, but also safe, hygienic, and compliant with health standards before reaching users. Pads are used on a highly sensitive part of the body, which makes strict quality assurance indispensable.

In Nepal, a sanitary pad standard exists but is not yet mandatory. Sparśa therefore chose to voluntarily design and test pads according to both national standards and international ISO-based procedures, ensuring user safety and long-term readiness for certification.

The quality assurance process is divided into two components:

1. Internal testing protocols
Developed in-house to support R&D, these tests measure:

  • Total absorbency (immersion tests to measure overall liquid capacity).
  • Retention under pressure (ability of the pad to hold liquid without leakage).
  • Spreading behaviour (how liquid distributes across layers and wings).
  • Bacterial load per layer (testing the core, topsheet, and wings separately to identify contamination sources).

These protocols allowed Sparśa to compare prototypes quickly and identify flaws before moving to external certification.

2. Standard certification testing
Once prototypes reached consistent performance, pads were tested in certified laboratories. Local labs in Nepal were prioritised for practicality, but benchmarked against ISO methods. External testing covered:

  • Absorbency
  • Retention
  • Hygiene and microbial load
  • Physical safety parameters

Since Sparśa uses natural fibres like banana fibre, viscose, and cotton, maintaining hygiene standards is even more critical than with synthetic pads. Natural fibres are compostable and environmentally preferable but can be more prone to bacterial growth if hygiene controls lapse. To address this, strict bioburden protocols were introduced: glove use at critical points (e.g. after fibre cooking), clean-room practices for pad assembly, and systematic bacterial count documentation.

Certification is not only a compliance requirement but also a trust-building tool — with users, health authorities, and donors — providing transparency and credibility in a sensitive sector.

Annexes include Nepal’s sanitary pad standards, Sparśa’s internal testing protocols, and hygiene guidelines, enabling practitioners to replicate the approach in other contexts.

  • Early identification of certified labs aligned with Nepal Standards and ISO procedures.
  • Prioritisation of local labs for easier communication, logistics, and lower costs.
  • Proactive lab visits before selection to build trust and transparency.
  • Development of strong internal lab capacity to run pre-certification tests.
  • Official documentation of results to validate hygiene and safety claims.
  • Clear hygiene SOPs shared across both fibre and pad factories to ensure consistency.
  • Close communication with lab teams is essential; otherwise, valuable feedback may be lost.
  • Labs test only predefined parameters — additional performance feedback must be requested.
  • Aligning internal protocols with certification methods early avoids discrepancies later.
  • Testing pad layers separately for bacterial counts helps identify contamination sources.
  • Hygiene lapses in one production step can compromise the entire product. Consistency is key.
  • Natural fibres require stricter hygiene protocols than plastics, making bioburden control vital for compostable pads.
  • Small producers should prioritise three core tests: absorbency, retention, and microbial load. These are the minimum standards for safe product development.
  • Frequent small-batch testing is more effective and cost-efficient than infrequent large-scale tests.
  • Certification should be seen as part of a continuous improvement cycle, not a final step. It strengthens user trust, supports market acceptance, and ensures product credibility.
From Insights to Innovation: R&D, Design and Prototyping

This building block captures the iterative process of translating user insights into tangible menstrual pad prototypes. Guided by the national field research (Building Block 1), Sparśa developed and tested multiple pad designs to balance absorbency, retention, comfort, hygiene, and compostability.

The process took place in two phases:

Phase 1 – Manual prototyping (pre-factory):
Before the factory was operational, pads were manually assembled to explore different material combinations and layering systems. Prototypes tested 3–5 layers, usually including a soft top sheet, transfer layer, absorbent core, biobased SAP (super absorbent polymer), and a compostable back sheet. Materials such as non-woven viscose, non-woven cotton, banana fibre, CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose), guar gum, sodium alginate, banana paper, biodegradable films, and glue were evaluated.

Key findings showed that while achieving high total absorbency was relatively easy — Sparśa pads even outperformed some conventional pads in total immersion tests — the main challenge lay in retention under pressure. Conventional pads use plastic hydrophobic topsheets that allow one-way fluid flow. Compostable alternatives like viscose or cotton are hydrophilic, risking surface wetness. Prototyping revealed the need to accelerate liquid transfer into the core to keep the top layer comfortable and dry.

Phase 2 – Machine-based prototyping (factory):
Once machinery was installed, a new round of prototyping began. Manual results provided guidance but could not be replicated exactly, as machine-made pads follow different assembly processes. Techniques such as embossing, ultrasonic sealing, and precise glue application were tested, alongside strict bioburden control protocols in the fibre factory.

Machine-made prototypes were systematically tested for absorption, retention, and bacterial counts. Internal testing protocols were developed in-house and then verified through certified laboratories. Initial results showed that bacterial loads varied significantly depending on fibre processing steps (e.g. cooking or beating order), underlining the importance of strict hygiene control.

Iterative design cycles combined laboratory testing with user comfort feedback, allowing continuous adjustments. By gradually refining layer combinations, thickness, and bonding methods, Sparśa optimized the balance between performance, hygiene, and environmental sustainability.

Annexes include PDFs with detailed prototype designs, retention test data, and bacterial count results. These resources are provided for practitioners who wish to replicate or adapt the methodology.

  • Continuous prototyping and testing cycles, allowing evidence-based refinement.
  • Close collaboration between fibre and pad factories to align material treatment and hygiene protocols.
  • Market analysis of competitor pads to benchmark performance and identify gaps.
  • Access to internal and external testing facilities for thorough evaluation.
  • Proactive implementation of hygiene protocols, including documented bioburden control steps.
  • A multidisciplinary team (engineers, product designers, social researchers) ensuring both technical and social dimensions were considered.
  • Always validate embossing and bonding designs in real production settings — small design flaws can lead to leakage.
  • Top-layer materials should never be chosen based on visual or tactile feel alone; their hydrophilic/hydrophobic behaviour must be tested under liquid.
  • Avoid bulk purchasing untested materials — small pilot orders are crucial for cost efficiency and learning.
  • Evaluate how liquid spreads across the entire pad geometry; otherwise, edge leakage (e.g. wings) can go unnoticed.
  • Develop internal lab protocols early to identify flaws before costly mass production.
  • Hygiene consistency is non-negotiable; contamination in one facility can compromise the entire production chain.
  • Testing pad layers separately for bacterial load helps identify the exact source of contamination.
  • Document every change in fibre treatment — minor process tweaks (e.g. cooking order) can significantly influence bacterial count.
  • Different bonding methods (glue, pressure, perforation) behave differently depending on the layer’s role; trial and comparison are indispensable.
  • Never rely on one successful prototype — repeatability and consistency matter more than one-off results.
Field Research & User Insights: On menstrual product access and their preferences in Nepal

This building block outlines the findings and methodology of a nationwide field study conducted in 2022, which informed the Sparśa Pad Project. The research examined menstrual product usage, access, stigma, and user preferences among 820 Nepali women and adolescent girls in 14 districts across all seven provinces.

Using a structured face-to-face interview approach, the team employed ethically approved questionnaires administered by culturally rooted female research assistants. This method ensured trust, context sensitivity, and accurate data collection across diverse communities. The interviewers were trained in ethical protocols and worked in their own or nearby communities, thereby strengthening rapport and enhancing their understanding of local norms, power relations, and languages.

Key findings revealed a high reliance on disposable pads (75.7%) and ongoing use of cloth (44.4%), with product preferences strongly shaped by income, education, and geography. Respondents prioritized absorbency, softness, and size in menstrual products. While 59% were unfamiliar with the term “biodegradable,” those who understood it expressed a strong preference for compostable options, over 90%. Importantly, 73% of participants followed at least one menstrual restriction, yet 57% expressed positive feelings about them, seeing them as tradition rather than purely discriminatory.

These findings directly shaped the design of Sparśa’s compostable pads, informed the user testing protocols, and guided the development of targeted awareness campaigns. The accompanying link and PDFs include a peer-reviewed research article co-authored by the team and supervised by Universidade Fernando Pessoa (Porto, Portugal), as well as informed consent forms, a statement of confidentiality, and a research questionnaire. These documents are provided for practitioners' reference or replication purposes.

Why this is useful for others:

For Nepali organizations and local governments:

  • The study provides representative national data to inform product design, pricing strategies, and outreach campaigns.
  • It reveals regional, ethnic, and generational differences in attitudes that are essential for localized intervention planning.
  • The questionnaire is available in Nepali and can be adapted for school surveys, municipal assessments, or NGO projects.

For international actors:

  • The research demonstrates a replicable, ethical field methodology that balances qualitative insight with statistically relevant sampling.
  • It offers a template for conducting culturally sensitive research in diverse, low-income settings.
  • Key insights can guide similar product developmenthealth education, and behavior change interventions globally.

Instructions for practitioners:

  • Use the attached PDFs as templates for conducting your own baseline studies.
  • Adapt the questions to reflect your region’s cultural and product context.
  • Leverage the findings to avoid common pitfalls, such as overestimating awareness of biodegradable products or underestimating positive views on restrictions.
  • Use the structure to co-design products and testing tools that truly reflect end-user needs.
  • Long-term engagement of NIDISI, a NGO with operational presence in Nepal, enabled trust-based access to diverse communities across the country.
  • Partnerships with local NGOs in regions where NIDISI does not operate directly were essential to extend geographic reach. In Humla, one of Nepal’s most remote districts, the entire research process was carried out by a trusted partner organization.
  • Pre-research networking and stakeholder consultations helped NIDISI refine research tools, adapt to local realities, and align with the expectations of communities and local actors.
  • Research assistants were female community members selected through NIDISI’s existing grassroots networks and recommendations from NGO partners, ensuring cultural sensitivity, linguistic fluency, and local acceptance.
  • Field research relied on ethically approved, pre-tested questionnaires, with interviews conducted in multiple local languages to ensure inclusivity and clarity.
  • Interviews were conducted face-to-face and door-to-door, prioritizing trust and participant comfort in culturally appropriate ways.
  • The study included a demographically diverse sample, representing various ethnic, educational, religious, and economic groups, strengthening the representativeness and replicability of the findings.
  • Academic collaboration with Universidade Fernando Pessoa (Portugal), where the research formed part of a Master's thesis by a NIDISI team member, ensuring methodological rigor and peer-reviewed oversight.
  • Language and cultural barriers can compromise data accuracy; working with local female facilitators from the same communities was essential to ensure comprehension, trust, and openness.
  • Social desirability bias limited the honesty of some responses around menstrual stigma. Conducting interviews privately and individually helped mitigate this, especially when discussing taboos or product usage.
  • The combination of quantitative surveys with qualitative methods (open-ended questions, observations, respondent quotes) enriched the dataset and provided both measurable and narrative insights.
  • Flexibility in logistics was crucial. Travel difficulties, seasonal factors, and participant availability—especially in rural and remote areas—required adaptable timelines and contingency planning.
  • Respecting local customs and religious norms throughout the research process was vital for ethical engagement and long-term acceptance of the project.
  • Training research assistants thoroughly not only on tools, but also on the ethical handling of sensitive topics, significantly improved the reliability and consistency of data collected.
  • Some communities initially associated the topic of menstruation with shame or discomfort, and pre-engagement through trusted local NGOs helped build the trust necessary for participation.
  • Pilot-testing the questionnaire revealed linguistic ambiguities and culturally inappropriate phrasing, which were corrected before full deployment—this step proved indispensable.
  • Remote districts such as Humla required an alternative model: relying fully on local NGO partners for data collection proved both effective and necessary for reaching hard-to-access populations without an extensive budget burden.
  • Participant fatigue occasionally affected the quality of responses in longer interviews; reducing the number of questions and improving flow would significantly improve participant engagement.
  • Engaging with younger respondents, especially adolescents, required different communication strategies and levels of explanation than with older adults. Age-sensitive adaptation improved both participation and data depth.
  • Documentation and data organization during fieldwork (e.g. daily debriefs, note-taking, photo documentation, secure backups) was essential for maintaining data quality and enabling follow-up analysis.
Value Addition through creation of Bee-Based Products Using Locally Available Materials

The second phase of the apiculture training, conducted in Kwale, focused on post-harvest handling and value addition of hive products. It was designed as a follow-up Training of Trainers (ToT) activity to complement the technical skills acquired during the first phase. Participants included beekeeping ToTs and select group members who had harvested honey from their hives. The training covered proper harvesting techniques, hygiene, and methods for processing raw honey and hive by-products such as beeswax and propolis. Hands-on sessions enabled participants to make a range of marketable items including beeswax candles, body cream, lip balm, lotion bars, burn ointment, and cough syrup. Locally available materials such as coconut husks, bamboo, and recycled glass were used in packaging and product design. The training emphasized product quality, shelf life, and branding to improve marketability. This phase also encouraged innovation and peer exchange, as participants shared ideas for using bee products in traditional medicine or personal care. The value addition component strengthens income potential for beekeepers and supports the broader objective of creating sustainable, mangrove-compatible livelihoods.

Participants had already gained practical experience from the first training phase and were motivated to expand their knowledge. Availability of harvested honey from earlier installed hives allowed for immediate hands-on practice. Trainers brought experience in product formulation and packaging using local materials. Support from local organizations and aggregation points created pathways for future sales. Community interest in natural products helped position value addition as a viable income stream.

Many participants had no prior knowledge of processing hive products and appreciated the hands-on, practical approach. Demonstrating value-added product options boosted confidence and motivation, especially among women participants. Using familiar, locally sourced materials for packaging helped reduce costs and increased relevance for rural producers. Peer learning emphasized in the Training of Trainers approach proved effective, as some participants began mentoring others on value addition even before formal aggregation models were in place. Training participants only once is not sufficient; refresher sessions and continued support are essential to improve product quality and market readiness. Overall, linking production to value addition encouraged stronger hive ownership and long-term commitment to apiculture.

Training of Trainers in Sustainable Beekeeping Practices

Beekeepers in both Kwale and Mkinga had limited knowledge of improved hive management and struggled with low yields, poor equipment handling, and lack of confidence in basic apiculture practices. To address this gap, the project delivered a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) programme on sustainable beekeeping practices. Participants included selected beekeepers, women and youth, as well as livestock production officers. The training focused on key topics such as bee biology and ecology, apiary site selection, colony management and multiplication, pest and disease control, pollination services, beekeeping equipment, record keeping, and the impact of pesticides on bees. Hive products and current research in the sector were also covered. Practical, hands-on learning was emphasized to ensure participants could apply knowledge immediately and confidently. The involvement of extension officers improved institutional capacity to support beekeepers beyond the project. Trained individuals were expected to pass on their knowledge and mentor others in their communities, contributing to broader uptake of improved practices and long-term sustainability of beekeeping as a nature-based livelihood in mangrove areas.

  • Active involvement and support from local government and community-based groups. The involvement of livestock officers increased institutional ownership, and the presence of abundant forage and water made technical improvements directly impactful.
  • Availability of suitable apiaries for practical demonstrations. Hands-on training approach was key
  • Use of accessible training materials and local language explanations to enhance comprehension.

Without hands-on training, many groups struggled with basic hive management, harvesting techniques, and recognizing ripe honey. This led to low yields, colony absconding, and even spoilage of harvested honey. The ToT model allowed for local knowledge sharing, but follow-up mentoring is critical to reinforce learning and avoid skill gaps. Including government officers in the training proved beneficial, as it helped bridge the gap between producers and support services. In some cases, livestock officers lacked demonstration equipment and had not received prior training in hive management, limiting their ability to support communities. Trainings need to include practice with real hives, not just demonstrations. In future, ToTs should always receive refresher courses and facilitation to provide ongoing peer support in their communities.