Collaborative inter-club South Island project supports Days for Girls (DfG)
Norma Anderson (Invercargill South - Inner Wheel) met with Invercargill
presidents Birgit Crean (South) Phil Robinson (Sunrise),
Bill Uru (East), Sharon Hamilton (Satellite ) and Lisa-Maree Fleck
(Invercargill) to plan the working bees, in January.
When Assistant Governor (AG) Sharon Hamilton asked Invercargill Club presidents to make a collaborative contribution to an interclub Rotary District 9999 project there was no hesitation.
The goal of the collaborative inter-club South Island project is to supply 1800 Days for Girls (DfG) washable menstrual kits to go into Emergency Response Kits (ERKs) for the Pacific region.
Days for Girls International is a global movement that provides women and girls with reusable pads and health education.
Days for Girls started in 2008. Through global partnerships, in more than 147 countries, across six6 continents, Days for Girls is increasing access to menstrual care and education, innovating sustainable solutions that shatter stigma and limitations for women and girls.
Norma Anderson led the two Invercargill working bees, in February, at Southland Girls' High School, to produce a contribution of kit components to support the Dunedin DfG Teams goal of 200 kits towards the 1800 South Island target.
Debra Gibbs, from Rotary Club of Richmond who is also the leader of the - Days for Girls Nelson Team, was down South last week talking to clubs about Days for Girls.
Debra was instrumental in co-ordinating 10 Rotary Clubs for District funding for the kit materials and joined in hands on at Working Bee # 2.
Further deep south working bee's are being planned.
Fun and fellowship amongst the fabric at Days For Girls Working Bee #2
If you are interested in helping out - please connect with us. If sewing is not your thing, there are other tasks like threading drawstrings, doming, cutting and ironing that need done.
There are also other ways you can support this project by donations of girls cotton briefs that are needed for the kits.
All you have to do is go in-store or go online and purchase and get them to a Rotary Club or Member in Invercargill who will send them on.
or
The kits also need donations of small soaps - if you can donate some of these connect with a Rotary Club or a Member.
Each DfG Kit contains:
- Waterproof shield and absorbent liners.
- Instructions on how to care for DFG products and track menstrual cycles.
- Carry pouch made of water-resistant fabric to discreetly and safely stow used liners while on the go.
- Underwear
- Soap and washcloths for personal and DFG product care.
- Drawstring bags made of beautiful locally sourced fabrics, provide a fashionable tote for DfG products and other everyday essentials.
Days for Girls New Zealand is a registered not for profit organisation, an affiliate with Days for Girls International.
Want to know more about Days for Girls visit: https://www.daysforgirls.org/new-zealand/
Special Thanks to Southland Girls High School - Elizabeth Jones (Head of Technology)
Photos of some of the Working Bee # 2 Worker Bee(s) in action on Sunday 26th February, 2023
North Club President Juliana in action
Some of the Sunday morning crew
Jackie and Norma finetuning some overlocking
Debra with Jacki at Working Bee # 2
AG Sharon cutting more metres of fabric
Debra ripping into action
Linzi sewing fabric together ready for the next working bee station
Sue ready to thread more ribbon drawstrings
Lisa-Maree in action on the doming station
Debra has gone the extra mile(s) to come South for this project
Working Bee # 2 Sunday Afternoon Crew
Working Bee # 1 Saturday 18th February, 2023
Birgit and Helen with the first 28 drawstring DfG kit carry bags
Sharon cutting fabric ready for the next working bee station
Camryn and Carolyn doming kit components
Lisa-Maree threads ribbons for drawstring bags
Norma shows Birgit how to use the tool to cut and seal ribbons
Big Thanks to Phil - Back 9 for sorting the patterns