It never occurred to me that girls would miss school because they don't have proper sanitary supplies.
I have learned that young girls miss up to 2 months a year of classroom education while they are menstruating.
Here in Africa girls use leaves, newspaper, corn husks, rocks, and mattress stuffing because they can't afford to buy disposable sanitary napkins.
One of the goals of the Humanitarian Program is to find local solutions to problems. We learned of a non-profit that was addressing the problem of young girls missing school due to not having proper sanitary supplies.
Days for Girls International is a grassroots 501(c) non-profit, whose vision is:
"Creating a more dignified, free and educated world through access to lasting feminine hygiene solutions.
Women, and girls discover their potential and self-value, are equal participants and agents of social change and are given opportunities to thrive, grow and contribute to their community's betterment while ensuring quality sustainable feminine hygiene."
"If you have to choose between feeding your children or providing sanitary supplies, which would you choose? The answer is clear. Where do you dispose of soiled pads when there is no trash service? Littered pads only add to the stigma girls can face. A quality answer that she can count on month after month that is comfortable and effective AND discrete gives her back days of possibility, safety, and dignity".
In an effort to find a local solution to the problem, several of our Welfare Services Missionaries have developed sewing projects that not only teach women to sew ,but teach them to make reusable sanitary napkins and hygiene kits, as well as offer personal hygiene training.
Each kit includes; washable pads, moisture barrier shields that hold the pads in place, 2 pair of panties, and a gallon sized zip lock bag, and a carrying bag and an instruction sheet.
The missionaries have reported that these projects have been very beneficial and quite successful.
The women loved that they were not only learning to sew but they were able to help the young girls in their communities
In Kinshasa, even the men got involved
Women of all ages participated
In Lubumbashi and Kinshasa young mothers brought their small children along as they learned to sew
We have received reports that these projects were very successful for many reasons. The first and more obvious reason was that the completed Maturation Kits were donated to young girls in the community. Fewer girls would miss school due to lack of proper sanitary supplies. The second was that the local women, and in some cases, men, gathered together with one goal in mind, to help the young girls in their community. This project strengthened relationships. It helped to build a stronger community. It helped the people see that they could solve their own problems. .
"And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me".
Matthew 25:40
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