PulsePad

Inspiration In Liberia, many schoolgirls miss school during their periods due to a lack of menstrual education, privacy, and affordable hygiene products. Cultural taboos and low digital access make things worse. We wanted to create a solution that girls could use at school, privately, without needing internet or advanced devices. PulsePad was born from the idea of mixing paper and tech to deliver powerful SRHR knowledge in a safe, age-appropriate way.

What it does PulsePad is a hybrid solution combining physical notebooks with QR codes that lead to SRHR educational content in Liberian English and local dialects. It helps schoolgirls track their cycles, learn about reproductive health, and access important information even without the internet. The notebook can be used offline, and the content is youth-friendly, private, and culturally sensitive.

How we built it We designed the UI and flow using Figma, and developed the MVP with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. We implemented QR codes that redirect to hosted content, including offline voice clips. We used Firebase Hosting to allow caching and offline access, and built it as a PWA to ensure it works without active internet. Voice content was recorded in a safe, friendly tone for young users.

Challenges we ran into Making the app usable offline with voice content was a technical and UX challenge. Another challenge was designing the interface for low-literacy users. We also had to ensure that visuals were appropriate, with no adult imagery, and that content was discreet enough to protect the privacy of users in conservative environments.

Accomplishments we're proud of We developed a working MVP that combines physical materials and digital tools. We built an offline-friendly site with age-appropriate content, voice support, and a culturally sensitive flow. Our approach respects privacy, literacy limitations, and social context — all while being scalable.

What we learned Offline-first design opens up new creative solutions. Delivering SRHR content doesn’t have to depend on high-end apps or smartphones. Voice-first content and hybrid approaches (print + tech) can reach vulnerable audiences more effectively. We also learned how important empathy and discretion are when dealing with SRHR topics for young people.

What's next

Print and distribute PulsePad notebooks through NGOs and schools Add more dialects and voice options to the platform Create a teacher and parent resource hub Launch field testing in 2–3 schools and gather feedback Add a basic analytics dashboard for educators to measure impact

Built With

• api
• clips
• code
• css
• english
• figma
• firebase
• hosting
• html
• javascript
• liberian
• progressive
• pwa
• qr
• voice
• web