Let's keep girls in school

I think that sometimes we don’t feel we can change the world.  And, maybe we can’t because there is a lot of hurt in this world.  But, if we each give of the skills and talents we each have and if we share what we have received, we can sure change someone’s life, even if it is a small change.

By itself, a feminine pad is no big deal.  But, to keep a girl in school by providing her with the hygiene items she needs is life changing.  If she finishes high school she’ll marry later in life, will have less children and will get a better job.  This, of course, helps her family, her village and her country. 

We arrive in Matopos, Zimbabwe, ready to get do some work in the community.  We are excited because, after all, there is much to do and we are a willing group.  Some of the group start work on two playgrounds for schools while a group of women start work on putting together reusable hygiene kits for girls.  We work hard, cutting cloth throughout a day and a half, putting the various parts of the kits together – liners, shields, panties, washcloth, soap, directions, cloth bags, and zip lock bags.  Sounds crazy, but with this kit, a girl won’t miss school due to having her period.  In fact, if she takes proper care of her kit, she can use it for 3 years!

With completed kits in hand, a group of seven of us went to a boarding school where 50 girls live and learn, expecting to hand out the kits and teach a few of girls how to sew kits.  We surely didn’t expect 32 of the girls to want to learn how to sew the kits!  But, learn they did!  It only took two classes to teach the girls how to use the kits and how to make their own.  About 10 girls are excited to start their own business, which is fantastic.

One thing we know – these girls are very thankful that someone thought of them and that something as small as a pad became big to us at AFCA because we know how important it is for a girl to stay in school.

Thank you for supporting this project, friends!  Thank you for caring.  We have so many other girls who’d like to stay in school, so please share this project with many.  In fact, from August 1-30, we will be participating in a contest to receive matching funds from GlobalGiving.  We need 10 people to create fundraisers connected to this project and to each raise a minimum of $400 from a minimum of 10 different people.  If you’d like to take part in this challenge, we welcome you because if we meet our goal, we will receive matching funds to help more girls stay in school.

PS. I can't upload photos from where i am currently am, as the internet connection is too weak.  When I return to USA in mid-August, I'll be sure to upload some!