Age
16
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?
My sister had a very disturbing experience during her period. The cramping, the weakness and change in hormonal balance was so evident. I thought about how this could be made easier and I made a research on foods that support hormonal changes in women during their cycle. I also found out that women lose iron and magnesium during their cycle. This got me interested in finding the right food or snack to munch on. Most women just have chocolate but most chocolates have excess sugar which isn't good. So I came together with my sister to create recipes with seeds, nuts and even grains that provide proper nutrition during the menstrual cycle. That is how ProGirl women's nutritional snack was created.
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.
I tell people about it and will share on LinkedIn and Instagram the whole process when it begins, from research and recipe development to the challenges of building from idea stage.
How many people are on your team?
4
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
Impact will look like happier and more energetic women in the future and young girls not worrying over menstrual pads.
Project Category
My project is a brand new / emerging idea
Project Stage
Idea (We’re hoping to get started in the future)
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
ProGirl is a healthy snack initiative developing nutritious, locally sourced snack bars designed to support women’s nutritional needs and everyday wellbeing, including during different stages of the menstrual cycle.
Project title
ProGirl — Nourishing Snacks for Women’s Health
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
During menstruation, women often face fatigue, cravings and discomfort with only two options: sugary processed snacks that worsen energy crashes and inflammation, or pain medication that masks symptoms without nourishing the body. There's no convenient, whole food snack formulated specifically to support female hormonal health. ProGirl solve this with functional, nutrient dense snack bars design led for menstrual cycle.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
https://www.instagram.com/hyelni_keren?stkn=djc0ZDdqY3p2c3U2
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 would like to acquire equipment and finalize sourcing, produce the first test batches, run taste tests with 50 women cohort, refine the recipes based on feedback, finalize phase 1 packaging, build prelaunch audience, prepare for a community launch and get partnerships and visibility.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
Unlike existing healthy snack brands, ProGirl is formulated specifically for the menstrual cycle targeting magnesium, iron, and anti-inflammatory nutrients linked to easing period symptoms, not just generic 'wellness.' It's also one of few functional snack brands in Nigeria built on local, sustainably sourced ingredients (Nigerian dates, ginger, cacao byproducts) rather than imported superfoods, keeping it affordable and rooted in the community it serves.
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
Our solution is to create an nutrition based snack that helps women in all phases of their menstrual cycle, satisfying cravings, balance, nutrition and even energy.
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
My team includes myself as the project lead and director, my sister Kucheli Ishaya as the co-lead and recipe formulator, Mr Samson McCarthy in charge of PRD and sourcing and finally Mr Henry Valentine in charge of grant applications. We would like to expand our team eventually and have a social media manager, and logistics personnel, nutritionist and project advisor.
