The Naiad Foundation and our philanthropic endeavours

AFRIpads is a social enterprise based in Uganda that specialises in manufacturing and supplying reusable sanitary pads. Founded in 2010, the company's goal is to empower women and girls through business, innovation, and opportunity. AFRIpads addresses the challenge of menstrual health management in low-income communities, where many girls and women struggle to access affordable and hygienic menstrual products.

The company produces a range of reusable menstrual kits, including the Standard Kit, Schoolgirl Kit, and AFRIpads underwear. These products are designed to be cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and long-lasting, with a lifecycle of 2 years. AFRIpads also provides comprehensive menstrual health management education, including use and care materials, training sessions, and educational resources.

AFRIpads operates a manufacturing facility in rural Uganda, employing over 150 people, with 86% being women from marginalised backgrounds. 

The company collaborates with various NGOs, international relief agencies, and partners to distribute their products. AFRIpads has also expanded its reach by introducing a retail brand called So Sure, making its products available in local shops and supermarkets.

First project: oysters at wind farm. 

More projects in the pipeline

Whale Guardians creates partnerships with the shipping industry, the world's major retailers, marine mammal scientists, the conservation community, and government bodies to reduce whale ship strikes - the greatest mortality affecting many global whale populations.

EBE is a Whale Guardian and reroutes or slows down on certain voyages to accommodate the whales. 

The Foundation is helping Whale Guardians with a new headquarters in Belgium, to have a greater impact on the shipping industry, which has a big base in Europe.

Project Origine is an initiative launched in 2011 by De Kraamvogel, the Antwerp-based expertise centre for perinatal care, with the goal of ensuring that vulnerable mothers, especially those without legal residency status, receive free and high-quality postpartum support. By offering home-based midwifery care to women who often leave maternity wards prematurely for financial reasons, the project emphasises health equity and equal opportunities from the very beginning of a child’s life. In doing so, it fills a crucial gap for undocumented mothers who lack access to regular healthcare services, working to reduce perinatal health inequalities and guarantee that these families receive essential care and support during the critical postpartum period. Through Project Origine, De Kraamvogel is striving to improve maternal and infant health outcomes for some of the city’s most vulnerable families.

River Cleanup is an organisation focused on tackling plastic pollution in rivers worldwide. Their mission is to prevent plastic waste from reaching the oceans by mobilising communities to clean rivers and raise awareness about sustainable waste management. Since its inception, River Cleanup has expanded its activities to include cleanup events, educational initiatives, and partnerships with local and global stakeholders.

In 2025, the organisation introduced a new "theory of change," which emphasises a holistic approach to addressing plastic pollution. This strategy involves three main pillars: prevention, cleaning, and changing behaviour. Prevention focuses on reducing plastic use and improving waste management systems. Cleaning involves organising river cleanup campaigns and deploying innovative technologies to remove waste from waterways. Changing behaviour aims to inspire individuals, businesses, and governments to adopt sustainable practices through education and advocacy.

By uniting these efforts, River Cleanup seeks to create long-term impact by not only removing existing waste but also addressing the root causes of plastic pollution. Their updated approach reflects a commitment to scaling their impact globally while fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.

Mothers for Peace funds workshops at the Royesh e Sabz secondary school, providing education to 50 teenage girls who have been denied formal schooling by the Taliban. The project, which began in October 2022, offers intensive courses in key subjects, allowing students to complete each grade in six months.

Beyond academics, the project fosters improvements in students' social skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.

Despite challenges such as initial student demotivation, electricity shortages, and Taliban visits, the project has shown resilience. The school has implemented various strategies to keep students engaged, including motivational talks, distribution of school supplies, and food packages for families.

Mothers for Peace's initiative continues to provide crucial educational opportunities for Afghan girls, fostering hope and empowerment in a challenging environment. The project not only supports academic growth but also contributes to broader societal impact by preventing early marriages and nurturing responsible, supportive citizens.

Beautiful After Breast Cancer (BABC) is a Belgian non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting women who have undergone breast cancer treatment. The organisation focuses on helping these women regain their confidence and feel beautiful again after their cancer journey.

Founded in Belgium, BABC offers a range of services and support to breast cancer survivors. They provide information and resources on post-mastectomy options, including breast reconstruction and prosthetics. The organisation also offers emotional support and counseling to help women cope with the physical and psychological effects of breast cancer treatment.

One of the key initiatives of Beautiful After Breast Cancer is their educational programs. They organise workshops and seminars to inform women about their options after breast cancer surgery and to help them make informed decisions about their post-treatment care. These sessions often include presentations from medical professionals, as well as testimonials from breast cancer survivors.

The organisation also works to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection. They participate in various community events and collaborate with other cancer-related organisations to promote breast health and support for cancer patients.

Through their efforts, BABC aims to empower women to embrace their bodies and their lives after breast cancer, promoting a message of hope, strength, and beauty beyond the physical changes caused by cancer treatment.

Mamas for Africa is a non-profit organisation that provides crucial support to women and girls who have been victims of sexual violence in eastern Congo. The organisation focuses on delivering medical and psychological assistance to survivors of sexual abuse and vulnerable women who lack access to proper medical care due to poverty.

Mamas for Africa offers psychological counselling to help survivors cope with trauma and rebuild their lives.

Working in partnership with Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, Mamas for Africa refers women with serious injuries or ailments requiring intensive medical treatment or surgery. For less urgent cases, they deploy ambulatory care teams to villages and collaborate with local hospitals, ensuring more women can access basic care.

The organisation also engages in prevention efforts and awareness campaigns. They work to sensitise both women and men about stopping violence and mediate between families when a woman faces rejection after rape due to societal taboos.

Mamas for Africa operates in a challenging environment, as eastern Congo continues to experience conflict and instability. Despite these difficulties, the organisation remains committed to supporting some of the most vulnerable women and girls in the region, helping them recover from trauma and rebuild their lives.