Behind the national honour: Jackie Wa Pads’ four-year search for her missing children

For four years, Jackline Saleiyan continued championing the rights and dignity of girls in her community while enduring the pain and uncertainty of being separated from her two children, who went missing in 2020.

The children were eventually found in 2024, bringing an end to a difficult chapter in her life. Yet, throughout their absence, Saleiyan, popularly known as Jackie Wa Pads, remained committed to supporting vulnerable girls and families through A PACK A MONTH, the community organisation she founded in Kajiado North.

Her story offers a glimpse into the personal struggles behind her public service, which earned her national recognition in the philanthropy category during the 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations.

The honour recognises her contribution to community wellbeing, particularly her work promoting menstrual dignity, supporting adolescent mothers and advancing girls’ education.

Behind the recognition, however, is the story of a mother who continued helping other families while navigating the uncertainty of her own.

A mother behind the community advocate

Saleiyan’s work focuses on addressing some of the challenges that prevent girls and young women from pursuing education and achieving economic independence.

Through A PACK A MONTH, she has championed access to sanitary pads, childcare support, skills training and opportunities for adolescent mothers to return to school.

These efforts continued even as she dealt with the disappearance of her children, a deeply personal experience that added another dimension to her work with vulnerable families.

Their eventual reunion in 2024 marked an important turning point, although rebuilding family life and helping the children settle back into schooling in Kenya presented its own responsibilities.

For Saleiyan, finding her children was only part of the journey; supporting their reintegration into everyday life was another.

Tackling barriers facing girls and young mothers

Through A PACK A MONTH, Saleiyan has developed initiatives addressing challenges that often prevent girls and young women from completing their education.

The organisation reports having distributed a cumulative 100,000 packs of sanitary pads and supported more than 40 adolescent mothers.

One of its key initiatives is a free daycare programme that provides childcare for babies while their mothers attend school, undertake vocational training or pursue livelihood opportunities.

The programme seeks to address one of the practical barriers facing young mothers who wish to resume their education but lack reliable childcare.

Through Beads for Pads, also known as Shanga kwa Sodo, adolescent mothers are trained in beadwork and can exchange their products for sanitary pads, combining skills development with access to essential menstrual hygiene supplies.

Twenty adolescent mothers graduated from the programme's second cohort.

The initiatives reflect Saleiyan's broader approach of linking menstrual health support with education, skills development and economic empowerment.

Engaging communities in protecting girls

Beyond direct support to girls and young mothers, Saleiyan has also focused on changing attitudes and strengthening community involvement in protecting children.

Through eight community dialogue cycles, A PACK A MONTH reports having trained 600 community leaders on issues including gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and child marriage.

The organisation also uses its annual I AM PRICELESS girls’ football tournament to create opportunities for mentorship, menstrual health education and discussions on self-worth.

As a young Maasai woman leading the initiatives, Saleiyan brings her community experience to conversations about the challenges facing girls and the need to expand opportunities for their protection and development.

Her advocacy also extends to broader children's rights issues through her service as the youngest board member of the Kenya Alliance for the Advancement of Children.

Her recognition during the 2026 Mashujaa Day celebrations places a national spotlight on the community work she has pursued over the years, as well as the personal challenges she navigated along the way.