Hi, I’m Karen, an intern at Saathi. I started interning at Saathi in January 2021, while we were all stuck in the midst of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

I learned about Saathi Eco Innovations through Internshala, which is a website for students looking for internships. I went through Saathi’s website and social media before applying here for an internship.

Saathi Eco Innovations is a company which manufactures eco-friendly hygiene products for menstruators across the globe. Its vision and mission of eradicating period poverty and working towards a sustainable and healthy planet impacted me deeply. Its focus on healthcare for women made me want to get involved and contribute whatever little I could.

Before my internship at Saathi, it was all over the internet how interns were often given projects out of their line of work and how they are many times not treated cordially. Saathi changed my outlook completely. Everyone here is respectful and understanding, and is always eager to help.

Saathi has a wonderful work culture, where there is complete freedom of expression and liberty of thought. Working here sharpened my analytical thinking skills, and I was forced to ponder upon subjects which added immense knowledge to my life. 

People here promote thinking and questioning. There was never once that I was asked to follow instructions blindly. It is a democratic institution where all kinds of questions, ideas, and criticisms are welcome. 

I gained a lot of insight on the privilege that we, as financially comfortable people have, and how that privilege is actually a necessity, and how so many people across the world are robbed of their right to be able to fulfil their necessities. I also gained a fresh perspective into innovative approaches towards healthcare, menstruation and the environment. 

While researching for writing blogs, I came face to face with the ugly side of humanity. I read on the internet what menstruators have to face during their periods in different parts of the world, and how so many of them don’t even have access to affordable sanitation. I read the horrors that people from the LGBTQ+ community face on a day to day basis, be it social exclusion or discrimination, and made me empathise with them more than I ever had. I understood how our planet is ailing, and how it needs our help. All this was disturbing, but I am grateful I learnt about it explicitly, so as to accommodate me to work towards these causes as and when I am qualified to. 

I am thankful to Saathi for allowing me to write for causes that I endorse, and for providing me with the opportunity to understand the real world and sharpen my skills. I have gained a lot from my time here, and I hope that I am able to utilise my experience at Saathi in the coming years for the betterment of the society and for all good causes. 

About Saathi 

Saathi is an award winning social venture which has a patented technology to convert agri-waste into absorbent materials. Our sanitary pads are 100% biodegradable and compostable made from banana and bamboo fibers, which convert into compost in 6 months of its disposal. Saathi pads are good for the body🩸, community 🌎 and environment 🌱. We are on a mission to revolutionize the hygiene industry as a consumer products company that makes products in a sustainable and responsible way. 

We are recognized by St. Andrews, Solar Impulse Foundation and Global Cleantech Innovation Program among others for our innovative, social impact and sustainable work. We are working towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 12, 13, 3, 9, 5, 6, 8, and 14.