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The Wellness Cycle, a menstrual health and wellness initiative, will bring educational programming and essential supplies to approximately 200 girls from Montego Bay and surrounding communities this Saturday, November 7. Hosted at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre in Sam Sharpe Square, the event represents the first Jamaican staging of the New York-based Dear Ambitious Girl’s flagship programme, according to the Jamaica Observer.
The initiative engages girls aged 10 to 15 in interactive discussions and educational sessions led by healthcare professionals, counsellors and educators. Among the presenters is US-based medical doctor and menstrual health expert Dr Natasha Ramsey. Participants will receive care packages containing menstrual and personal-care essentials, along with meals and refreshments throughout the day.
Lola Falana, founder and executive director of Dear Ambitious Girl, emphasised that the programme extends beyond product distribution. According to the Jamaica Observer, Falana stated that the initiative aims to equip girls with knowledge about their bodies, create safe spaces for questions, and ensure they have resources and support to feel confident in managing their health.
Shunelle Nevers, coordinating the initiative for the Rotary Club of Trafalgar New Heights, highlighted the particular importance of the event in the context of Hurricane Melissa’s aftermath. She noted that the hurricane’s devastation may have compounded existing challenges young girls face in accessing menstrual health education and supplies, and stressed that the community’s investment in girls’ health matters as the region rebuilds.
The Wellness Cycle has previously reached more than 1,000 girls and distributed over 36,000 menstrual products across the United States and Nigeria over the past two years. The Jamaican event is supported by lead sponsors WalkGoodLA and the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, alongside numerous local organisations and businesses.
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 hurricane, caused significant devastation across western Jamaica, claiming more than 40 lives and causing billions of dollars in damage. The disaster disrupted livelihoods and daily life in several communities, prompting local organisations to prioritise recovery and community support initiatives.
This initiative directly addresses health equity and youth wellness in Jamaica during a critical recovery period. Menstrual health education and access to essential supplies remain underserved in many Caribbean communities, making this programme particularly relevant for St James and other parishes. The event demonstrates how diaspora-connected organisations and local partnerships can mobilise resources to support Caribbean youth health during times of crisis.
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