LaunchPad | Taylor's Hostel Management

Project launchpad

Eradicating menstrual 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 menstrual 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.

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 2.0 is more than a donation initiative, it is a community-led platform that:

- Promotes menstrual equity through reusable pads

- Provides skills training and upskilling opportunities

- Encourages sustainability through textile recycling and circular production

This next phase empowers communities to move beyond receiving support and develop the capacity to sustain themselves independently.

LaunchPad 2.0 impact across the Sustainable Development Goals

How It Works?

Printable Pad Making Guides

Pad Making Video Tutorials

Reproductive Health Education Video

The first project in Malaysia to tackle period poverty among refugees

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

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

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

The Launchpad project made significant strides towards establishing a self-sustaining ecosystem focused on promoting menstrual hygiene and supporting refugee communities. These resources enabled anyone to start their own Launchpad program and make a positive contribution to their community. Our mission was to empower individuals and organisations to play an active role in addressing menstrual hygiene challenges and supporting those in need.

60

refugees trained as trainers

1000+

refugees aided

1300

reusable pads donated

2023: Community Empowerment - Phase 4

The Launchpad project aimed to empower refugee communities with a community-driven approach. We focused on creating a self-sustaining ecosystem for refugees to manage menstrual hygiene independently. Through this phase, our efforts included enhancing digital content and media resources for accessible menstrual hygiene education. With expanded networks of trainers and volunteers, we promoted sustainable practices and facilitated positive health outcomes.

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

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.

LaunchPad 2026 workshop with Orang Asli community members

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 new sizes developed to improve inclusivity and community fit

3,800

Pads were distributed among the refugees

1,350+

Refugee women impacted
173 refugees trained
1000 refugees aided

21

CBOs, NGOs & partners collaborated

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

Asha

Comfortable, clean & saves money.

Fadumo

It's good. Much more comfortable, I will try using it next period.

Fardus

It will be much better than the usual clothes that I usually use.

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.

"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.