Standing in front of a sea of 1,000 peers, one teen does what most high school students would not do for $1,000: show their school how to use a menstrual pad.

As an American woman, I tend to take the access to pads or tampons that I have to manage my period for granted. In many of the countries where Splash works, girls are not given this luxury, especially at school. For many girls, the first time she learns about menstruation might be the day it begins — which can be a terrifying moment if she has no prior warning or understanding of what’s happening. And once her menses begins, she may not have access to menstrual materials or a safe space to change her pad. In developing countries, school toilets often do not have locking doors, water for cleaning, or bins to dispose of used pads. Every single girl faces menstruation. At Splash, our goal is to make that experience a little more dignified, safe, and positive.

On May 28 2016, schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that partner with Splash will be holding their second annual Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration. In preparation, Splash staff has trained a group of 20 interested students to take part in a Hygiene Club. The Hygiene Club uses fun, interactive games and engaging materials to increase students’ knowledge and advocacy. One of the key hygiene topics is proper menstrual hygiene management. Splash trains teachers to work with both boys and girls to break down existing taboos and myths on menstruation. In doing so, we help to identify girls’ needs in each school.

On Menstrual Hygiene Day, Splash’s Hygiene Clubs are standing up (literally, in front of their peers) for menstruation. Together, boys and girls, teachers and students, will advocate for girls and the importance of not letting menstruation interfere with a girl’s ability to attend school, feel confident, and be safe. Our goal is to encourage schools to have toilets that are secure, private, and stocked with materials to help girls manage their periods.

When I watched kids perform this demonstration for the first time, I was in awe. How inspiring it was to witness kids stand up for each other in a way that was so natural and honest. There was nothing taboo about it.

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Megan Williams is the Health & Hygiene Manager at Splash, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping urban poor kids grow up healthy by ensuring they have clean water, clean hands, and clean toilets at school and in their communities.