Pad Project Update and a Shout Out for Domino Pads!

I've been meaning to post an update on the cloth menstrual pad project for girls in Ethiopia and Zambia that many of you have been sewing faithfully on, and am excited to share a few recent pictures with you! We haven't received much news from Ethiopia, other than that the girls received their kits and are using them, but Andrea, who joined me in heading up the pad project, emailed me today with news about the pads delivered in Zambia, along with pictures and a wonderful report from her sister who is in Zambia right now!!! Visit Andrea's blog here.

"We then headed back to Sinia campus where we were greeted by the ladies who attend Wiphan's Skills Training program. They had been told about the "It's a Girl Thing Project" and even though they were also told we would not arrive until 1 pm- most of them arrived at 8 am. I asked Elizabeth why they came so early.... she said, "They were just too excited!". As we talked about them, gave them instructions for use and for cleaning them... they danced and sang and praised God for his provisions. Humbling to say the least... When's the last time you praised God for your maxi-pad? BUT to these ladies, these gifts are life-changing. They can leave their homes during that time of their cycle- they can work, go to school, and be kept safe from infection. These are the things we take for granted that we truly rarely think about. Toilet paper, tampons:), soap & running water... here is one sweet face and her kit!"

A lesson on how to use the pads.

Waiting in line to be issued a kit.

Getting this update really made my day!
I have had several people ask if we are still collecting pads and the answer is YES! We are currently sewing pads for a group of 38 women in Kenya and also working together to supply kits for roughly 190 women in Guatemala City, Guatemala! So if you haven't joined in on the sewing and would like to, let me know!!!

Here is a picture of my two helpers putting panties in kits for Kenya!

I also wanted to give a shout out for my favorite cloth menstrual pad company, Domino Pads. Karin, who owns the company (and sews the pads), offered to give us a large discount on any pads we purchased for the project. I had originally hoped to purchase some from her so we could put at least one in each kit (they are LOVELY pads - the kind that I use myself every month!), but due to how many kits we were making it unfortunatley wasn't affordable.

Karin emailed me recently to tell me that she was sending me some pads to send with the next bunch of kits going over (these will be going to Kenya) and just a few days later I received these lovely pads in the mail. The ones she sent us are made with Minkee fabric, and I defy you to find any menstrual pad more beautiful! :) She sent me Minkee ones because they dry quickly and don't stain - perfect for our sisters in Africa! Thank you Karin for your thoughtfulness!!!! If any of you are wanting to save money a bundle of money on menstrual supplies, I would highly recommend checking Domino Pads out!!! I'll never be going back to disposables!

Thank you everyone who has helped with this project!!! Such a blessing!!!