Days for Girls Charity Project

Last year I made several pillowcase dresses that I donated to Little Dresses for Africa to distribute to girls in need.  You can see all the dresses I made by upcycling mostly my husband's discarded button-up dress shirts HERE.  

I sent the dresses to Margaret who was asking the online community for help to make at least 50 dresses that her local Junior Woman's Club would then pay to send on to the girls through Little Dresses for Africa. Well, about a month ago, Margaret contacted me again asking for help with a slightly different project.

This year, her Junior Woman's Club is asking for the sewing community to help make liners and shields for girls and women in impoverished communities around the globe.  These items will be combined with other personal items to be distributed through the Days for Girls organization.

To be honest, I had never given any thought to what women in undeveloped countries do when they have their monthly period.  Have you?  

I mean, we take for granted that in every grocery store, pharmacy, gas station convenience store, and department store, we can choose from a wide variety of disposable feminine hygiene products to serve our monthly needs.  But after reading the testimonials and other information on the Days for Girls website, I was definitely on board to help make a few shields and liners for this group. I never would have imagined something so simple as sanitary supplies as being able to give so much back to these young girls and women.  They help restore not only their dignity, but also give them the ability to return to school or work instead of staying home while on their period.

Using the patterns and video found HERE on the Days for Girls website, I was able to sew up 7 shields and 16 liners in roughly 3 hours.  That time included cutting out the fabrics as well.  If I had had more PUL fabric for the liners, I could have easily sewn up more!

I mailed these off without the snaps attached to the shields since I do not own the tool or supplies to install them, but no worries.  Volunteers at Days for Girls will add them later!

Shield with Liner

For those of us fortunate enough to be browsing the internet on our computer, phone, or other mobile device, it's sometimes easy to forget that not everyone in the world has the modern conveniences that we do.  I hope you'll consider using your gifts and talents to help Margaret and her Junior Woman's Club meet their goal of 200 shields and 800 pads which will enrich the lives of dozens of girls who are less fortunate.

If you'd like to learn more about this cause and how you can help, please contact Margaret at margaretandrade@hotmail.com and read the Days for Girls website.