Project Launchpad

Eradicating period poverty, one pad at a time

What is Launchpad about?

In collaboration with various non-governmental organizations, Taylor's Residence launched the LaunchPad Project - a student-led initiative under our structured living program. The goal: to eliminate period poverty among female refugees in Malaysia by providing access to reusable sanitary pads, along with menstrual hygiene and sex education.

Malaysia is home to approximately 170,000 refugees and asylum seekers, with women making up about 32% (over 60,000 individuals). For these communities, reusable sanitary pads offer a cost-effective and sustainable solution, helping to ease the financial burden of disposable products in already vulnerable living conditions.

In 2025, LaunchPad entered a new phase - LaunchPad 2.0. While our original mission supported Rohingya refugee women, LaunchPad 2.0 expands our impact to Orang Asli communities in Malaysia, where period poverty continues to be a silent struggle. This new phase focuses on access to menstrual hygiene, culturally sensitive education, and empowering local champions to drive long-term change. Our pilot project begins in Kampung Serendah, Ulu Selangor, with a focus on sustainable outreach, skills-building, and dignity restoration.

As UNICEF reports, "Refugee and stateless girls are especially at risk of poor menstrual hygiene due to lack of access to clean water, privacy, and sanitary products" (2022). These challenges similarly affect Orang Asli communities, making LaunchPad 2.0 a crucial extension of our mission.

We have rolled out LaunchPad in six distinct phases, each building upon the successes and learnings of the previous stage to continuously improve and expand its impact.

Transforming Lives Through Reusable Pads & Education

In collaboration with The Design School at Taylor's University, we developed DIY guides for reusable sanitary pads and basic sex education materials, designed for underserved communities. These resources, available in multiple languages, have been widely adopted by Rohingya refugees and are now being introduced to the Orang Asli community through LaunchPad 2.0, ensuring more women and girls have the tools and knowledge to care for their health with dignity.

How It Works

Why it Matters?

Social & Health Impact: Directly addresses SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by tackling menstrual equity and providing essential health resources to Orang Asli women.
Environmental Impact: Directly addresses SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by diverting textile waste from landfills and promoting a circular economy through upcycling.

Launchpad Journey

The first project in Malaysia to tackle period poverty among refugees

Two women sitting on the floor facing each other, one wearing a blue headscarf and the other wearing a face mask, with boxes of items between them.

2019: Project Launch & Pilot - Phase 1

LaunchPad was launched. Through research and collaboration with refugees, we were able to prototype and develop reusable menstrual pads. We created and continuously improve our workshop program to teach trainers and refugees how to make the reusable pads. With the help of volunteers, we were able to produce and donate 500 reusable pads to the community.
70
Refugees aided
2
Workshops conducted
500
Reusable pads donated
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2020: Printable Material - Phase 2

The pandemic caused a lockdown that presented challenges for our efforts to support the refugee community. To sustain our assistance to the refugee community, we created a multilingual printable tutorial that refugees could easily distribute. This tutorial enabled them to continue raising awareness about menstrual hygiene and taught them how to make their own reusable pads.
6
NGOs Collaborated
500
Reusable pads donated
Learn More
A group of young people sitting at a wooden table cutting purple fabric pieces using scissors, supervised by two adults in a modern room.
Two people standing next to whiteboards with handwritten notes about condom use and reminders in a classroom or workshop setting.

2021-2022: Digital Outreach to Empower Refugees - Phase 3

Phase 3 made significant strides towards establishing a self-sustaining ecosystem focused on menstrual hygiene and supporting refugee communities. These resources enabled anyone to start their own Launchpad program for their community. Our mission was to empower people to play an active role in addressing menstrual hygiene challenges.
60
Refugees trained as trainers
1000+
Refugees aided
1300
Reusable pads donated
Learn More

2023: Community Empowerment - Phase 4

The pandemic caused a lockdown that presented challenges for our efforts to support the refugee community. To sustain our assistance to the refugee community, we created a multilingual printable tutorial that refugees could easily distribute. This tutorial enabled them to continue raising awareness about menstrual hygiene and taught them how to make their own reusable pads.
Learn More
A diverse group of smiling young people posing indoors, some holding drawings and posters, in a casual meeting or workshop setting.
Two people standing next to whiteboards with handwritten notes about condom use and reminders in a classroom or workshop setting.

2024: Empowerment through Self-Sustainability - Phase 5

In 2024, the Launchpad project entered an innovative phase focusing on empowerment through self-sustainability, signalling an important point in our effort to assist refugee communities. Building on the foundation of community-driven projects, this phase focuses on reskilling refugees in fundamental business and entrepreneurial skills.
24
Refugees reskilled
1000
Cotton t-shirts donated for pad making
Learn More

2025: Expanding Impact to Indigenous Communities - Phase 6

Laid the groundwork for LaunchPad 2.0 through student training, community visits, and cultural understanding.

Began engagement with Orang Asli communities through early outreach, co-creation workshops, and skills preparation.

Students and refugees collaborate to understand community needs and prototype sustainable menstrual solutions.
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Group of diverse young adults sitting and standing in a bright, modern indoor lounge with green sofas, smiling and posing for a photo.
Large diverse group of children and adults posing indoors with drawings and decorated packages on tables.

2026: Mobilizing for Impact

This year, LaunchPad shifted to a student-led trainer model, mobilizing our committees to lead skill-sharing workshops directly with Orang Asli mothers.
5
Workshops conducted
15
Students trained as lead trainers
3
nNew sizes developed to improve inclusivity and community fit
Learn More

Environmental

Impact

5,300

Reusable Pads Produced & Distributed

1,590

Refugees & Indigenous Communities Supported

422

Students & Residents Empowered

Let's support underprivileged communities by empowering them and encouraging more people to help through awareness-raising efforts.

A diverse group of people sitting on the floor and couches in a living room, engaged in a conversation or meeting.
Comfortable, clean & saves money.
- Asha
It's good. Much more comfortable, I will try using it next period.
- Fadumo
It will be much better than the usual clothes that I usually use.
- Fardus
UNHCR emblem with blue globe and laurel branches, with the text 'UNHCR The UN Refugee Agency'.
In addition to providing essential knowledge and tools for managing menstrual health, Launchpad also equips refugee women with the skills to produce reusable sanitary pads, creating income-generating opportunities that promote economic independence.
Kloth brand logo in stylized lowercase letters with a pink hand symbol integrated into the letter 'k'.
"Partnering with Taylor's Residence on the LaunchPad project enables us to extend our mission by providing 600 pieces of cotton for reusable sanitary pads, addressing menstrual hygiene among refugee women and girls, and reinforcing our commitment to sustainable practices.

Awards & Recognition

Taylor’s Residence has transformed into an award-winning community builder, with a focus on imparting crucial life skills to its residents.
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