Age
15
Country of Residence
Nigeria
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
The spark that led me to start Lumelle came from seeing girls from less privileged homes who were unable to access information or education about their reproductive health and how their bodies work. I started thinking about how I could create something that would help young girls and women understand their bodies and have access to age-appropriate information. That’s what led me to create Lumelle. I also wanted to help with period poverty, especially for girls from low-income families in Africa, by connecting them with NGOs and safety organizations that can support them.
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
So far, I haven’t really engaged with anyone yet, as the app is still in its prototype stage. Over the next few months, I plan to reach out to peers, NGOs, local organizations, schools, and youth groups, partnering with them. I will give presentations in classrooms to educate students on how the app works, how to navigate it, and host workshops. I’ll also use social media to raise awareness and advertise. Additionally, I will build a team to share their stories and help others understand menstrual health, so they feel confident and unashamed. My goal is to reach thousands of girls, starting locally, and then expand to a wider audience across Nigeria and eventually throughout Africa.
How many people are on your team?
1
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
Lumelle is still in its early stage, so I don’t have a particular estimate or statistics measured by impact. However, the problem was addressed as a result of seeing girls and young women from low-income families unable to access basic period services or healthcare. It was also introduced due to women struggling to afford sanitary products and women who lack information about their reproductive health and hygiene. One of Lumelle’s goals is to be able to eradicate or reduce period poverty drastically. It is also a platform where young girls and women can access information about their bodies confidently, without fear of being ashamed or judged. It is also a platform where young women and girls can access information about reproductive health, menstrual health, wellbeing, and hygiene. Through the app’s AI guide, users will be able to ask questions and also gain knowledge and insight into their bodies and gain proper health education. My long-term goal is to begin in Nigeria, and with time, we will expand globally. I aim to connect with NGOs across the globe and build a network of verified resources to reach more girls and young women across Africa. In conclusion, I believe Lumelle can make a difference because it combines education, community, and practical access to help in one place, rather than expecting girls to navigate these challenges alone.
Project Category
My project is an existing project that I started
Project Stage
Pilot-Stage (We’ve tried an activity or two)
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
My project is a platform that helps young girls and women access age-appropriate information and education on reproductive health, hygiene, and their bodies, while also connecting them with NGOs and safety organizations for support.
Project title
Lumelle
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
The problem I am aiming to solve is period poverty, which affects girls and women all over the world, most especially in Africa and in Nigeria, where I am from. Many girls from less privileged homes lack access to both education about their bodies and affordable sanitary products. This matters deeply to me because I have seen firsthand how a lack of knowledge and resources keeps girls and women from reaching their full potential.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
Instagram; Temi.lah_
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
In the next three months, I will run a test with a small group of users. I will also email NGOs and local organizations to form partnerships, ensuring we have strong resources for users. I will apply for funding to support the development of my app. I also aim to work with schools, local communities, and NGOs, going into classrooms to educate students about the app, using social media to advertise, and showing them how to navigate it, what it’s for, and how it can help girls and women eradicate period poverty.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
One of my key innovations in Lumelle is Elysian, the AI guide, which allows users to ask questions and receive proper education or insights without judgment or fear. Importantly, Lumelle does not store personal data; it doesn’t collect your data or keep it. As you ask Elysian AI guide questions, the data is erased after each interaction. Lumelle also offers a community where girls can share experiences freely, so they wouldn’t feel alone. By combining education, community, and support, Lumelle addresses both the lack of information and the lack of access to resources. This project will start in Nigeria and soon expand globally, bringing support to girls and women worldwide.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
The problem I am aiming to solve with my app, Lumelle, is period poverty. I want my app to connect young girls and women with NGOs and safety organizations so they do not feel alone and can access resources like free products and counseling. The app will also have a community inside, so girls will have a support system and will not feel alone. Furthermore, I aim to use an AI guide named Elysian to help them navigate the app step by step, and also provide age-appropriate information so that girls and women can learn about their bodies confidently.
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
Right now, I am the only team member, so I handle development, planning, and reaching out to other organizations. As we grow, I plan to bring on a tech expert for app development, a manager to foster engagement, and an advisor who has experience with NGOs and youth programs.
