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Project 1: It’s a girl thing…

To prepare you for our first project–this morning I ran across this…and thought it was perfect to share…

It reminded me how we take the simplest things for granted…like when I see a cute pair of shoes at Target. I…put them in my cart. Some times I think twice, but most of the time I justify…a good deal…and I “need” them.

Shoes is one thing to think I “need”…

Every month, I have to deal with what most girls deal with…a monthly cycle. Sorry if that’s too personal to say–but it should come as no surprise to you. I take for granted that every month I stock up on the things I need…and I can get them in any size, weight and style I would like. And not only that–I complain about my cramps. I complain that I am a bit inconvenienced and I remind my husband that he is lucky to be a boy and he doesn’t have to endure such hardship each month.

SO…let me ask you this—what do you think the women and young girls of Korah do during this time? What will it be like for the hundreds of girls who are (praise GOD!) being sponsored to leave Korah this Fall and go to a boarding school? What will they do as they try to sit in class during this time? What do the woman and girls we support in Zambia do?

EVER THOUGHT ABOUT THIS?

Well, let me tell you what they do. They squat. They wait for their week to end. On their heavy days, some roll up newspapers and make their own tampons. Many get infections. The infections make their parents and husbands think they have STDs and they endure being left or abused. Some use a single piece of old clothing–and when it’s soiled–they rinse it and use it again…although it’s still wet—it’s some what clean.

Did you know that in Africa the dropout rate for for young girls in school is 40% when they have no sanitary supplies? BUT when they are provided them–it rises to just 8%?

What can we do about it?

This is the plan: To provide EVERY girl going to school from Korah and every girl and widow at Wiphan 10 washable pads each + 3 pairs of underwear.

There is no way to continue to provide disposable–so we will be providing pre-made overnight pad for approximately 300 women and girls…so that means we need 300 overnight pads and 2,700 regular ones. Each young lady will be able to wear 3 or so a day, wash them out and let them dry–while she will still have a handful more for the following day…and the next…and so on.

NOW…this is where YOU come in. Because each pre-made pad can run around $10—you do the math and that $30,000 in pads. OUCH. SO…we are asking YOU–to HELP US MAKE THEM!

For the month of September and October–we are asking women across the country to join us in making a difference. We have a pattern and instructions you can follow (Thanks for the wonderful Red Tent Project lending us theirs!). You can make it fun—and invite your Sunday school women, small group and friends to help! (I promise if you can’t sew—you can still be used…if you can use scissors—YOU might just be the one to keep the coffee brewin’ while the others sew OR you may be able to cut the patterns and get the fabric ready for the sewers to roll!)

We want to ask you to pray about heading up either a solo project on your own OR heading up a sewing party to help us get as many pads as possible. If we get enough for Korah and Wiphan—then we’ll be donating the rest to the women in the Korah area and Wiphan compounds. If you are interested in joining us in this project–please contact me through my contact page for details how you can get started. (Please be patient with my response time though–it may be later tonight before I can respond as we have a big day today for Isaac at the ENT).

If you don’t have time to sew OR time to host a party—but you would like to give financially toward the hefty overnight pads that we will be purchasing for each girl (the overnight pad for each girl will be the only thing purchased) OR you would like to donate toward someone who DOES want to sew but needs to be reimbursed for fabric costs–then feel free to scroll down to our “nets fundraiser” post and donated through Paypal there. In the notes section please write “sanitary pads”.

One thing at a time folks!!!

And tomorrow I’ll share more about how we are going to run our pad party. Hey…we call it what it is;). I’ll also post details about how to make the pads–what you will need–and how much you will need of each thing. I will also include deadlines, where they need to be shipped to when completed, etc. Today–please pray about helping in this project. Brainstrom throughout the day WHO you could ask to join you.

Finally—stay tuned for “Opernation Silent Night” which will not only provide the orphans at Wiphan a safe night’s sleep…but also spare their lives in more than one way!!! Stay tuned!!! Isn’t it so MUCH FUN to make a difference and be used for His glory?! And as always—feel free to share these projects with your world of friends and family!!! It’s going to be amazing to see the difference we make when we come together as the body of Christ and just roll with it!!!

Hope you all have a happy Thursday!!!

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Elle J - August 26, 2010 - 11:43 am

I support creativity … sounds like a much-needed project!!

Kristy Filbrun - August 26, 2010 - 11:50 am

Please send me information! I would be happy to make some!!!

Marcy - August 26, 2010 - 2:23 pm

I would love to help with this project. My sewing machine is out and ready!

Carrie Kiser - August 26, 2010 - 2:29 pm

Please send me information. I will get a group of women together.
Blessings.
Carrie

SleepyMom - August 26, 2010 - 2:45 pm

You really need a “like” button for us to click on at the end of these posts!

Deborah L. King - August 26, 2010 - 3:10 pm

I want to help. Please send me info.

Judy Fleming - August 26, 2010 - 4:17 pm

Thank you so much for sharing. The simple things we take for granted. This really touched my heart and I so want to be a part of this project. I’m not sure how to get started but I will definate stay focused on this website.

Gini - August 26, 2010 - 4:17 pm

Oh! Loving the practical side of helping. Can’t wait to hear more! 🙂

Rebekah - August 26, 2010 - 4:20 pm

I posted this topic on my blog Tuesday and have had so much interest! I believe the goal will be exceeded! Praise God!

Sarah Hurst - August 26, 2010 - 4:37 pm

Please send me the information too! I would love to have a “pad party!”

abby - August 26, 2010 - 5:07 pm

I would love to sew some of these…please send me the pattern!

Makenzie - August 26, 2010 - 7:34 pm

I’m in! Time to put my sewing skills to good use! Sending you an e-mail now!!

Ia - August 26, 2010 - 7:43 pm

I would love to help make them.

jodie - August 26, 2010 - 8:01 pm

I would love to help – please send me the pattern! My mom and I will be doing it…we’ve been looking for something like to do. Thanks for letting us know of the need!

Leigha Singleton - August 26, 2010 - 9:33 pm

hi,
my name is Leigha Singleton and I would love to share in this project. I teach a group of jr./sr. high girls at church and this would the perfect project for us and i’m even teaching on poverty and how we can make a difference. i just said to a friend who co-teaches with me that i wish i had more hands on projects for the girls instead of just talking at them all the time. thanks for making us aware and allowing us to bless and be blessed.
i have two babies from ET, one from colombia, and a biological child, you expressed beautifully many of my same feelings reguarding “ownership” of our children.
Leigha

Billie Hobbs - August 26, 2010 - 9:37 pm

I will be glad to make some. Send me the pattern, etc., please. I will also let my cousin in Virginia who has a weekly bible study at her house know about it and they can also make some.

Blessings to you, Andrea,

Billie

Andi Heath - August 26, 2010 - 10:02 pm

I’d be glad to sew some–please send me the pattern and info!

Erin - August 26, 2010 - 10:48 pm

I would love to be a part of this. Please send me more info. Thanks!

Lisa Nowka - August 26, 2010 - 11:41 pm

Please send me the pattern and any suggestions for hosting a party. I would love to help. Blessings, Lisa

michele - August 27, 2010 - 8:53 am

I would love to make some. Send me the pattern and info and I’ll get my friends to help. Also I should be taking my first trip to ET in Nov. so if you want to send a bunch of pads that are ready to go I will hand deliver them. We are going to go to Korah and it will be easy to pack! By the way, I am friends with Melanie (also live a block away) if she isn’t too busy with Ava I’m sure she would want to make some too. I’ve heard lots about your sweet son! Congrats!!!

K - August 27, 2010 - 9:09 am

Hi Andrea. I happened upon your blog while looking up info on adoption. The Lord laid adoption on my heart a few weeks ago so now I am just praying and waiting on the hubby- does this happen to anyone else? Where one person is ready and willing to take the leap of faith and the spouse is just not sure? So discouraging. Anyway, I would love to help with this project! Awesome to be able to help out with such a need! I am not sure I will ever look at my monthly cycle the same after reading this post! jknaleven@hotmail.com

Christina - August 27, 2010 - 11:27 am

Andrea – I’m not a super sewer but I know some basics. I would love to have some more information about this to make sure I could to the project. I think I can , I think I can, etc!!! 🙂 I know I want to and will do my best to gather a group of ladies to get several made for this project! Look forward to gaining more details of this project!!!

Shannon - August 27, 2010 - 11:33 am

We just had a wonderful group of women from our church get together for “dresses for Africa” so I have no doubt they’d be willing to help with a pad party! Looking forward to the instructions and we’ll get planning!

Bobi Bobbitt - August 27, 2010 - 11:47 am

Hey Andrea! What a great idea!! I want to be a part of this project so please send me more info on how to get started, I do not sew, but I will try to get a group together that does and we can throw a “pad party” at my house or church!!! Thanks for heading this up!!! (: Hope ITY’s ENT visit goes well today!

kristi johnson - August 27, 2010 - 1:50 pm

i can cut things..or just give money…I can’t sew 🙂 can’t wait to help, kj

Kristen - August 27, 2010 - 2:37 pm

Please send me the pattern.
What a wonderful idea. Great way to serve the Lord and serve these girls from afar.
What a blessing you are.

Casey Chappell - August 27, 2010 - 2:53 pm

Count me in. I’d love to get that pattern and the details on when they need to be done. :o)

Mary - August 27, 2010 - 6:37 pm

I would love details on making these and where to send them and ideas for a party! Wonderful idea!

Katie Dickinson - August 27, 2010 - 7:36 pm

kdthreads is on board for sure!
http://kdthreads.wordpress.com

Nikki - August 27, 2010 - 8:18 pm

I can get a group together to knock some of these out… please send us the info! 🙂

april - August 27, 2010 - 9:22 pm

i am very interested in this, where would we access the pattern? i want to talk to my pastors wife about this! :0) when would you need them by?

Ellen Childress - August 27, 2010 - 11:23 pm

I would love to make some and think I can get a group of ladies from our church to help. Get me the info.

Shay Potter - August 28, 2010 - 1:19 am

I am interested in hosting a pad party! Please email me the information. 🙂

Michelle - August 28, 2010 - 9:09 am

Please send me the info, I’d love to put my Singer to good use!

Angela - August 28, 2010 - 12:29 pm

I’d love the pattern as well. I bet I can get some ladies from church together for a sewing party!

Juanita Browne - August 28, 2010 - 7:33 pm

Thank you for sharing this… My girls & I would love to help…& encourage others in our community to help as well. Could you please email me the pattern, info., etc.
Lord Bless You!

jennifer mcmurray - August 28, 2010 - 9:13 pm

please email me the pattern!

Beth - August 29, 2010 - 12:42 am

Please give me additional information about participating in this wonderful project. How many, pattern, where to ship them by what date, all the details. Peace.

Wendy - August 29, 2010 - 12:59 am

please send me the patter and where to send the pads once made – I would love to help out.

Janet - August 29, 2010 - 10:53 pm

I’d love to sew some pads, and I have some friends to help me!!! Count me in! Send me more info and an address to send my goods to!! 🙂 Awesome!

Chrystal - August 30, 2010 - 10:41 am

Oh my goodness.. COUNT ME IN. When GOd first started breaking my heart for orphans, He opened my eyes to the people of the Korah Dump. They are on my mind SO much. I have often thought about this very subject with woman/girls that live in poverty and wondered how on earth they did it. I’m SO IN. Thanks SO much for allowing US to be a part of what you’re doing.

Reagan - August 30, 2010 - 3:36 pm

I’d love the pattern. I know several girlfriends that would love to do this. Thanks for passing this along!

Holly Haus - August 31, 2010 - 1:55 am

Please send me the pattern. My Mother, Sister and Daughter meet weekly for sewing and we would be honored to contribute our time to this wonderful project.

Emily B - August 31, 2010 - 8:35 am

I was hoping you could send me more information about this, I’d love to get the ladies in my church involved. Thank you.

Charisa - August 31, 2010 - 6:21 pm

Hey Andrea!

I just saw this and would love to help! I am going to attempt a teen girl sewing party!!!

If you still need help…let me know and send me the info..

PS..I don’t comment much anymore but I still keep up and LOVING the whole family!

Angela - September 4, 2010 - 9:19 pm

Andrea,
I’d love to quote some of your post in a post on my blog about the upcoming “pad party” I’m hosting for this project. Would that be okay with you?

April - September 5, 2010 - 7:09 am

Can you send me the info too? I’d like to get my mommy’s group to do this. Thanks!!!

Suzi Redman - September 13, 2010 - 5:33 pm

I’m in the process of getting a group of gals together to do this project!!! Would you be able to send me the info and directions for it?

Thank you!!! WONDERFUL project!

-Suzi
suzi_little@hotmail.com

Annalien - September 20, 2010 - 2:30 am

Hi there, I live in South Africa and although sanitary pads and tampons are definitely more available here than in some of the other African countries, there are thousands upon thousands of women here that cannot afford it. Would it be possible to obtain the pattern from you? Our church already has a “girl” project going to supply basic toiletries each month, but I think this can make a real difference as it is something that can last.

[…] challenged ladies from all over the United States to join us in. You might remember the post here: It’s A Girl Thing. We sent the kits to BOTH Korah (in Ethiopia) AND Wiphan (in Zambia). While we haven’t gotten […]