The use of feminine products are fairly common place in North America, but not so much in third world countries like Nicaragua and Kenya, “the girls in these countries don’t have products when they get their periods, they are forced to use grasses, corn husks even rocks so they can go to school when they have their periods” explained Gabi Doleske, a professor at Sault College and a member of the local Zonta Club.
Sault College and the Zonta club partnered in the 2nd Girls Sew-a-Thon challenge to produce 650 feminine hygiene kits that will be distributed by nursing students when they travel to Kenya and Nicaragua in Spring 2015.
The full day of sewing also attracted some men to the cause such as college President, Ron Common along with the college’s Men’s basketball team.
“when there are supplies in those countries, quite often the people in power, that are usually men force them to perform sexual acts, so these kits are being made freely, they cost about $10 each to make”
The materials and time was all donated , volunteers spent the day cutting, pinning and sewing, then packaging each kit.
“We will deliver them and show the girls how to use them”
Doleske says the cause, Days for Girls Sew-a-thon takes place in 75 different countries and over 100,000 kits have been distributed world wide. “Studies have shown that the girls tend to finish their schooling, marry later and become much more confident just by finishing their school”
Each kits comes with soap, underwear, washcloths and other hygiene products.
