Our Story

Professor Ajume Wingo, a Prince from the Kingdom of Nso in Cameroon, was traveling by bus in his homeland when he witnessed a young girl being ostracized after she began menstruating for the first time. Lacking education about menstruation, the girl was overcome with confusion and shame. Ajume comforted her, explained that menstruation is a normal biological process, and reassured her that she had nothing to fear. The incident had a profound impact on him, inspiring a commitment to ensure that no girl would ever endure such humiliation again.

This moment became the catalyst for what would eventually become PridePads Africa.

In 2017, Celeste Carter, then a junior in high school, and her mother, Stephanie Carter, met Ajume through a mutual friend and learned about his emerging efforts to address menstrual stigma and lack of access to menstrual products in Ghana. Moved by his vision, they felt compelled to join him. They soon brought in their close friend and future co-founder, Mary Shackelton, to join them in this important endeavor. Together, the group traveled to Ghana with their teenage daughters to deepen their understanding of the challenges girls were facing and explore the possibility of how to create an organization that could support girls and women.

During this exploratory trip, the team recognized that their greatest potential impact would come from working in Cameroon, Ajume’s home country, where he had deep community relationships and rooted trust. They decided to bring the program to Ngaoundere, in the northern part of Cameroon where there was the greatest initial need.

Upon returning to the United States, the founders began laying the groundwork for a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) and a partner NGO in Cameroon. PridePads Africa was officially founded in 2019, marking the beginning of their mission to empower girls and women through access to biodegradable menstrual pads, menstrual health education, and economic opportunity.

Shortly after establishing the organization, Celeste, Stephanie, and Ajume traveled to India to meet with Aakar Innovations, the manufacturers of the biodegradable pad-making machine that would anchor the project. They coordinated the logistics for shipping the machine to Cameroon and began assembling the initial team. The organization’s first on-the-ground project manager was Derek Gerleit, an employee of Mary Shackelton’s who volunteered to relocate to Cameroon, an extraordinary commitment that helped bring PridePads Africa’s vision to life.

In November 2019, Celeste, Stephanie, and Ajume traveled to Ngaoundéré, Cameroon, establishing the first visit to the facility, where they worked with the project manager and a dedicated team of Cameroonian women to launch the initial production. Their efforts created not only access to vital menstrual products but also meaningful employment and community-centered education.

As the project grew, so did its leadership. PridePads Africa expanded to include a full board of directors and a committed network of volunteers whose skills, time, and passion have been instrumental in sustaining momentum and guiding the organization’s continued evolution. The combined talents and dedication of the four founders, Ajume Wingo, Stephanie Carter, Celeste Carter, and Mary Shackelton, formed a strong foundation that has propelled the organization’s success and continues to support its thriving mission today.

Across rural regions, where girls often miss four to six days of school each month due to inadequate menstrual supplies and misinformation, PridePads Africa remains steadfast in its work. The organization strives to break cycles of gender inequality, reduce the risks of child marriage and teenage pregnancy, and empower girls with the knowledge and resources they need to stay in school and shape brighter futures.

Raised in a matriarchal society, Ajume has long understood the strength and central importance of women in community life. PridePads Africa reflects this belief: when girls and women are supported, entire communities flourish. The organization continues to dismantle menstrual stigma, expand opportunity, and lift up the next generation of women leaders in Cameroon and beyond.