Wā Collective – ending period poverty, waste and the bloody period taboo

By Marie Larking

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NZ $13,744 pledged


197 people pledged


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NZ $12,500 minimum target


100 100% Complete

This campaign was successful and closed on 28/11/2017 at 8:00 AM.

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About

Wā Collective – Ending Period Poverty, Waste And The Bloody Period Taboo

Project 2017-10-21 16:08:37 +1300

Thank you, bloody great people, for getting us to our first goal of $12.5K! - We are gushing and eternally grateful! <3 
But, it's not over! Still, want to support the cause?

Help us get to $15K by 9pm Tuesday and we can start reaching secondary schools too. Period. 

 

Wā Collective is a Wellington based social enterprise with the power to end period poverty, period waste and the period taboo. ... and make periods easier too.

 

How? One of the best menstrual cups on the international market. Not a 4-8 hour fix like a tampon, but up to a 10 year solution.

 

 

Since our birth three months ago, we have sold over 300 menstrual cups to our Loyal Ovulators in four tertiary institutes across Aotearoa. Over the next year, we will save these students $26,000 and prevent 72,000 disposable menstrual products from going to landfill. 

 

But, it's time to step it up.

 

Not only will we offer our Wā Cup to students but now, to the rest of New Zealand too. We need your help to flood the country with:  

 

  1. One of the best menstrual cups on the international market

  2. Launching our Bought to Support programme, to keep our student cups subsidised down to $15, stopping period poverty from affecting education in NZ

 

Menstrual cups have the power to save us, literally $thousands$ and stop the 357 million tampons and pads from ending up in our NZ landfills each year.

 

Period poverty?

A lot of us have been there at some point; when we can’t afford menstrual products, or, the cost of them causes serious financial strain. Who do you turn to when it's a monthly issue?

 

It’s happening right here. In late 2016 we conducted a 1000 strong survey. Turns out that ⅓ of menstruating students have skipped class at some point because of not having access to menstrual products. Let’s cut the strings.

 

That’s why our Bought to Support programme supports those who needs us; with one cup saving them thousand in just 10 years.

 

 

Um Stop. How does a menstrual cup actually work?

 

A Wā Cup is a reusable medical grade silicone menstrual cup which is worn internally. It works by collecting your menses (menstrual fluid) rather than absorbing it and can be emptied as little as every 12 hours depending on your flow. Wā Cups fold to the size of a tampon for insertion, then pops open, forming a seal inside your vagina/honey box/vajayjay [insert favourite vag. word here] to collect your flow.

 

 

Wā Cups are especially chosen because they are a good beginners cup and will last for up to 10 years. This means they are soft enough for easy insertion and have an easy pop open rim for it to be ready for action.

 

The benefits are endless, unlike your period (phew!):

  • Practical - No longer will you need to stock up on wads of cotton and rayon and plan your day around chasing toilets round the countryside every 4-8 hours. This is a one-stop-shop, all period long.

  • Body Lovin’ - This 100% medical grade silicone sucker collects your fluid instead of absorbing it, meaning it doesn’t interfere with your natural juiciness or PH balance. Holla happy vag. Tampons often are loaded with chemicals too, which is unacceptable, as is the lack of ingredient list.  Menstrual cups are just silicone and are almost zero risk Toxic Shock Syndrome too.

  • Brings out your inner eco warrior - You’ll sleep easier at night knowing that just you have stopped 3000 disposables going to the dump in 10yrs. Did you know pads and tampons will outlive you by 400 years?

  • Laugh in the face of the archaic period tabooWith our puns lets laugh a little about periods and start smashing down the archaic barriers. Also we fully give you permission to pull the finger to the menstrual product aisle at the supermarket.

 

 

We're becoming better than ever.

 

The best cup

We love our new cups. Not only do they have bloody great design, they are the best on the market. They are ethical, zero waste in production and have complete supply chain transparency. They are dye free, FDA and ISO accredited, 100% medical grade silicone perfection. This cup is the real deal.

 

Wā Cup Sizes

Our cups come in three sizes. All are smooth, seam free, soft silicone, with a thicker secondary rim (the bit by the top!) and upper rim so they open easily once inserted.

 

Mini: If you are worried about putting something inside you, have a low cervix* or a light flow, our Mini will treat you right.

Size One: Haven’t had a baby vaginally, the mini doesn’t quite sound like you, or you don’t know your cervix height? Size one is your cup.

Size Two: If you have given birth, or have a heavy flow, this cup is perfect for you.

 

*Give it a google

 

Put the faces to the puns

(From left to right) Luci Jackson, Marie Larking, Olie Body, and Suse Berwick

 

Wā Collective was co-founded by Marie and Olie, after the pair were staring at a bowl of free condoms and asked, ‘That’s good. But sex is a choice and menstruation is not. Where’s the support?’ The pair turned to menstrual cups when they realised that tampons only provide an 8 hour fix, where as the Wā Cup provides a 10 year solution. Based in Wellington, the collective is driven by a passion for women's rights and giving back to its' peers.  

  

Salivate with these visuals

Rewards & reward partnerships - you're bloody legends

 

WāCoSponsors

Comments

Updates 4

Cheers! You will hear from us soon!

30/11/2017 at 3:02 PM

We are raising our cups to you! 

Thank you so much for being the awesome humans you are. 
We are blown away by your flood of support through our PledgeMe Cycle. 

Get ready- we are bloody excited to flow out cups, peach patches, native trees, drink bottles, bloody great blends and love to you all. 

Stay tuned, we are just collating all pledges and will be back to you early next week with ETA’s on when your goodies will be with you and to also confirm sizes if you pre-ordered a Wā Cup! 

From the bottom of our hearts, thanks again for allowing us to beat period poverty, period waste and the period taboo. 

With love,

Olie, Marie, Luci, Suse xo
[email protected]

We raise our cups to you

Glorious photo: Elise Creative

 

WE DID IT!

24/11/2017 at 5:36 PM

We are eternally grateful to you, our Loyal Ovulators (whether you menstruate or not) for being bloody great people and getting us to our funding goal on PledgeMe. 

We are gushing just knowing that Wā Collective with be able to cervix all of NZ next year. Thank you, thank you. <3 

And, there is still time to hop-a-board! - We're still live utill 9pm Tuesday. Get us higher and next year we're going to smash period poverty, period waste and the period taboo in New Zealand. $15K and we can even start reaching secondary schools. 

We wouldn't have been able to do this without you. Thank you. Cup Yeah!
Olie and Marie xo

 We did it!

Cup Yeah! We are over half way!

16/11/2017 at 4:05 PM

Guess what? We are on the home streak!  We have hit $6.5K on our PledgeMe and we couldn't have got this far without you!

Thank you so much for your bloody great support of Wā Collective! <3 

With 12 days to go - we are hustling hard and would love your help in spreading the word. Have a yarn with Auntie Agness, let Bob from the local corner dairy know; every Pledge get's us closer. 

We can't wait to flow our Bought to Support programme to the nation. 
Thanks again loyal ovulators and supporters

xo
Olie and Marie 


 Cup Yeah!

A standing ovulation to you!

10/11/2017 at 1:33 PM

Thanks so much for your amazing support so far! We have reached the 1/3 mark! Woo-hoo!! We couldn't have come this far without you and are so honoured to have your support! Thank you! 

We can't wait to launch this to you and the nation <3 
Olie and Marie 

    Pledgers 197

    Elena
    14/11/2017 at 3:52pm

    "Keep up the great work Marie and Olie!!! "

    Damian Sligo-Green
    14/11/2017 at 10:47am
    Ronnie Peters
    14/11/2017 at 4:23am

    "Best of luck Olie and Wa! We are proud and happy to be supporters. Make something amazing happen... "

    Kaylee
    13/11/2017 at 11:08pm

    "Thanks ladies, what you're doing is so important"

    Kelly-Jo Sweeney
    13/11/2017 at 5:04pm
    Michaela Woolf
    13/11/2017 at 3:18pm
    Kirsten
    13/11/2017 at 2:47pm

    "Love it! Spreading the word......"

    Rose Shefford
    13/11/2017 at 11:34am

    "Good Luck Girls"

    Debs McKenzie
    13/11/2017 at 9:08am

    "Great initiative!"

    Russell
    12/11/2017 at 6:47pm
    Maria Shea
    12/11/2017 at 5:23pm
    Anonymous pledger
    12/11/2017 at 3:59pm
    Estelle Best
    12/11/2017 at 1:43pm

    "Puns on point"

    Helen Lucey
    12/11/2017 at 7:54am
    Anonymous pledger
    12/11/2017 at 5:29am
    Anna Guenther
    11/11/2017 at 10:13am
    jodi kearney
    10/11/2017 at 10:42am
    Rory
    09/11/2017 at 5:50pm
    Emma Bull
    09/11/2017 at 4:20pm

    "Awesome work Babes!"

    Anonymous pledger
    09/11/2017 at 1:17pm
    Freda Bierema
    09/11/2017 at 11:24am

    "Go Girls, you're doing an awesome job!"

    Walter
    09/11/2017 at 9:57am

    "Great meeting you last night at Kate Drane's talk. Best of luck! Cheering you on!"

    Jill Gower
    09/11/2017 at 8:36am

    "Nice plug at Startup Garage last night. You're obviously putting in heaps of effort and it's a great cause, so best of luck!"

    Richard Fortune
    08/11/2017 at 7:26pm

    "Great pitch tonight. Great project! Happy to be part of your success. "

    Ruby Reddington
    08/11/2017 at 5:26pm
    Anonymous pledger
    07/11/2017 at 10:11pm
    Elizabeth Underhill
    07/11/2017 at 7:09pm
    Anonymous pledger
    07/11/2017 at 6:24pm
    Anonymous pledger
    07/11/2017 at 2:00pm

    "fantastic work girls, such a great initiative."

    Kate MacD
    06/11/2017 at 7:58pm

    "Keep the double denim and puns coming!"

    Followers 19

    Wā Collective – Ending Period Poverty, Waste And The Bloody Period Taboo

    Project 2017-10-21 16:08:37 +1300

    Thank you, bloody great people, for getting us to our first goal of $12.5K! - We are gushing and eternally grateful! <3 
    But, it's not over! Still, want to support the cause?

    Help us get to $15K by 9pm Tuesday and we can start reaching secondary schools too. Period. 

     

    Wā Collective is a Wellington based social enterprise with the power to end period poverty, period waste and the period taboo. ... and make periods easier too.

     

    How? One of the best menstrual cups on the international market. Not a 4-8 hour fix like a tampon, but up to a 10 year solution.

     

     

    Since our birth three months ago, we have sold over 300 menstrual cups to our Loyal Ovulators in four tertiary institutes across Aotearoa. Over the next year, we will save these students $26,000 and prevent 72,000 disposable menstrual products from going to landfill. 

     

    But, it's time to step it up.

     

    Not only will we offer our Wā Cup to students but now, to the rest of New Zealand too. We need your help to flood the country with:  

     

    1. One of the best menstrual cups on the international market

    2. Launching our Bought to Support programme, to keep our student cups subsidised down to $15, stopping period poverty from affecting education in NZ

     

    Menstrual cups have the power to save us, literally $thousands$ and stop the 357 million tampons and pads from ending up in our NZ landfills each year.

     

    Period poverty?

    A lot of us have been there at some point; when we can’t afford menstrual products, or, the cost of them causes serious financial strain. Who do you turn to when it's a monthly issue?

     

    It’s happening right here. In late 2016 we conducted a 1000 strong survey. Turns out that ⅓ of menstruating students have skipped class at some point because of not having access to menstrual products. Let’s cut the strings.

     

    That’s why our Bought to Support programme supports those who needs us; with one cup saving them thousand in just 10 years.

     

     

    Um Stop. How does a menstrual cup actually work?

     

    A Wā Cup is a reusable medical grade silicone menstrual cup which is worn internally. It works by collecting your menses (menstrual fluid) rather than absorbing it and can be emptied as little as every 12 hours depending on your flow. Wā Cups fold to the size of a tampon for insertion, then pops open, forming a seal inside your vagina/honey box/vajayjay [insert favourite vag. word here] to collect your flow.

     

     

    Wā Cups are especially chosen because they are a good beginners cup and will last for up to 10 years. This means they are soft enough for easy insertion and have an easy pop open rim for it to be ready for action.

     

    The benefits are endless, unlike your period (phew!):

    • Practical - No longer will you need to stock up on wads of cotton and rayon and plan your day around chasing toilets round the countryside every 4-8 hours. This is a one-stop-shop, all period long.

    • Body Lovin’ - This 100% medical grade silicone sucker collects your fluid instead of absorbing it, meaning it doesn’t interfere with your natural juiciness or PH balance. Holla happy vag. Tampons often are loaded with chemicals too, which is unacceptable, as is the lack of ingredient list.  Menstrual cups are just silicone and are almost zero risk Toxic Shock Syndrome too.

    • Brings out your inner eco warrior - You’ll sleep easier at night knowing that just you have stopped 3000 disposables going to the dump in 10yrs. Did you know pads and tampons will outlive you by 400 years?

    • Laugh in the face of the archaic period tabooWith our puns lets laugh a little about periods and start smashing down the archaic barriers. Also we fully give you permission to pull the finger to the menstrual product aisle at the supermarket.

     

     

    We're becoming better than ever.

     

    The best cup

    We love our new cups. Not only do they have bloody great design, they are the best on the market. They are ethical, zero waste in production and have complete supply chain transparency. They are dye free, FDA and ISO accredited, 100% medical grade silicone perfection. This cup is the real deal.

     

    Wā Cup Sizes

    Our cups come in three sizes. All are smooth, seam free, soft silicone, with a thicker secondary rim (the bit by the top!) and upper rim so they open easily once inserted.

     

    Mini: If you are worried about putting something inside you, have a low cervix* or a light flow, our Mini will treat you right.

    Size One: Haven’t had a baby vaginally, the mini doesn’t quite sound like you, or you don’t know your cervix height? Size one is your cup.

    Size Two: If you have given birth, or have a heavy flow, this cup is perfect for you.

     

    *Give it a google

     

    Put the faces to the puns

    (From left to right) Luci Jackson, Marie Larking, Olie Body, and Suse Berwick

     

    Wā Collective was co-founded by Marie and Olie, after the pair were staring at a bowl of free condoms and asked, ‘That’s good. But sex is a choice and menstruation is not. Where’s the support?’ The pair turned to menstrual cups when they realised that tampons only provide an 8 hour fix, where as the Wā Cup provides a 10 year solution. Based in Wellington, the collective is driven by a passion for women's rights and giving back to its' peers.  

      

    Salivate with these visuals

    Rewards & reward partnerships - you're bloody legends

     

    WāCoSponsors

    Comments

    Cheers! You will hear from us soon!

    30/11/2017 at 3:02 PM

    We are raising our cups to you! 

    Thank you so much for being the awesome humans you are. 
    We are blown away by your flood of support through our PledgeMe Cycle. 

    Get ready- we are bloody excited to flow out cups, peach patches, native trees, drink bottles, bloody great blends and love to you all. 

    Stay tuned, we are just collating all pledges and will be back to you early next week with ETA’s on when your goodies will be with you and to also confirm sizes if you pre-ordered a Wā Cup! 

    From the bottom of our hearts, thanks again for allowing us to beat period poverty, period waste and the period taboo. 

    With love,

    Olie, Marie, Luci, Suse xo
    [email protected]

    We raise our cups to you

    Glorious photo: Elise Creative

     

    WE DID IT!

    24/11/2017 at 5:36 PM

    We are eternally grateful to you, our Loyal Ovulators (whether you menstruate or not) for being bloody great people and getting us to our funding goal on PledgeMe. 

    We are gushing just knowing that Wā Collective with be able to cervix all of NZ next year. Thank you, thank you. <3 

    And, there is still time to hop-a-board! - We're still live utill 9pm Tuesday. Get us higher and next year we're going to smash period poverty, period waste and the period taboo in New Zealand. $15K and we can even start reaching secondary schools. 

    We wouldn't have been able to do this without you. Thank you. Cup Yeah!
    Olie and Marie xo

     We did it!

    Cup Yeah! We are over half way!

    16/11/2017 at 4:05 PM

    Guess what? We are on the home streak!  We have hit $6.5K on our PledgeMe and we couldn't have got this far without you!

    Thank you so much for your bloody great support of Wā Collective! <3 

    With 12 days to go - we are hustling hard and would love your help in spreading the word. Have a yarn with Auntie Agness, let Bob from the local corner dairy know; every Pledge get's us closer. 

    We can't wait to flow our Bought to Support programme to the nation. 
    Thanks again loyal ovulators and supporters

    xo
    Olie and Marie 


     Cup Yeah!

    A standing ovulation to you!

    10/11/2017 at 1:33 PM

    Thanks so much for your amazing support so far! We have reached the 1/3 mark! Woo-hoo!! We couldn't have come this far without you and are so honoured to have your support! Thank you! 

    We can't wait to launch this to you and the nation <3 
    Olie and Marie 

      Elena
      14/11/2017 at 3:52pm

      "Keep up the great work Marie and Olie!!! "

      Damian Sligo-Green
      14/11/2017 at 10:47am
      Ronnie Peters
      14/11/2017 at 4:23am

      "Best of luck Olie and Wa! We are proud and happy to be supporters. Make something amazing happen... "

      Kaylee
      13/11/2017 at 11:08pm

      "Thanks ladies, what you're doing is so important"

      Kelly-Jo Sweeney
      13/11/2017 at 5:04pm
      Michaela Woolf
      13/11/2017 at 3:18pm
      Kirsten
      13/11/2017 at 2:47pm

      "Love it! Spreading the word......"

      Rose Shefford
      13/11/2017 at 11:34am

      "Good Luck Girls"

      Debs McKenzie
      13/11/2017 at 9:08am

      "Great initiative!"

      Russell
      12/11/2017 at 6:47pm
      Maria Shea
      12/11/2017 at 5:23pm
      Anonymous pledger
      12/11/2017 at 3:59pm
      Estelle Best
      12/11/2017 at 1:43pm

      "Puns on point"

      Helen Lucey
      12/11/2017 at 7:54am
      Anonymous pledger
      12/11/2017 at 5:29am
      Anna Guenther
      11/11/2017 at 10:13am
      jodi kearney
      10/11/2017 at 10:42am
      Rory
      09/11/2017 at 5:50pm
      Emma Bull
      09/11/2017 at 4:20pm

      "Awesome work Babes!"

      Anonymous pledger
      09/11/2017 at 1:17pm
      Freda Bierema
      09/11/2017 at 11:24am

      "Go Girls, you're doing an awesome job!"

      Walter
      09/11/2017 at 9:57am

      "Great meeting you last night at Kate Drane's talk. Best of luck! Cheering you on!"

      Jill Gower
      09/11/2017 at 8:36am

      "Nice plug at Startup Garage last night. You're obviously putting in heaps of effort and it's a great cause, so best of luck!"

      Richard Fortune
      08/11/2017 at 7:26pm

      "Great pitch tonight. Great project! Happy to be part of your success. "

      Ruby Reddington
      08/11/2017 at 5:26pm
      Anonymous pledger
      07/11/2017 at 10:11pm
      Elizabeth Underhill
      07/11/2017 at 7:09pm
      Anonymous pledger
      07/11/2017 at 6:24pm
      Anonymous pledger
      07/11/2017 at 2:00pm

      "fantastic work girls, such a great initiative."

      Kate MacD
      06/11/2017 at 7:58pm

      "Keep the double denim and puns coming!"

      This campaign was successful and got its funding on 28/11/2017 at 8:00 AM.