Mumbai!

At a Women's Gift charity scrabble luncheon last month, I met Eileen who was planning to take a tour in Mumbai in a couple of weeks.  I told her about Days for Girls, and wondered if she'd be interested in transporting our kits, if I could hook up with an agency that could do the distribution.  After lunch, I showed her the sample kit I keep in the car, she said yes, and we exchanged information.  I contacted DFG Headquarters and told them we had transportation for kits if they had somebody in Mumbai to do the distribution and education.  The emails started flying, and volunteers on three continents became involved--Jillian of Days for Girls in Italy has distributed elsewhere in India, and contacted folks there--Carole, Kanchan and Nayantara.  I'm old enough to still be in awe at what we can accomplish around the world in this internet age!  We ended up with two groups delighted to receive and distribute our kits.

Since Eileen's personal belongings were able to fit in her carry-on, she could check two 50-pound bags.  Her travel companion Inge said she'd help out too--that meant four 50-pound bags! About twice what I could put together before they left.  Ellen heads up the Central Oregon Chapter, and offered kits they had already assembled.  Ellen was out of town, but with the help of her husband and her friend Cynthia heading this way, her kits were delivered to my doorstep Sunday afternoon.  I went to two BiMarts and found four duffel bags that were just under the maximum size (thanks to Gwen for the tip), and I even sewed Days for Girls labels on the handles to make them easy to spot at airports.  I packed them by underwear size--50 each of sizes 10 and 12 for both groups, and delivered them to Eileen's home that night--she took off in the morning.

The morning after Eileen and Inge arrived in Mumbai, the kits were picked up and on their way to changing lives.  These 200 kits will help girls stay in school and live their lives fully--giving back 1000 days each month.  The power in these pretty little kits is amazing!

Thanks to all of you who've contributed supplies, made a donation, sewed, glued, threaded,  serged, washed, dried and ironed fabric, and done all the many other tasks that make this all possible! I'm so grateful for all of you!  

The Indian culture has several taboos surrounding menstruation.  A Google search turns up so many articles.  Here are just a few:

The Guardian
CNN
on NPR
in The Guardian again

In February we had a hard-working crew at our third-Sunday workday.  Lots of pinning, sewing, serging, cutting, pressing, snapping, and much more.  And I did remember to take some photos.

We have a  new Days for Girls t-shirt (which cost $25) available for a donation to our chapter.  It measures 48" across the chest. Let me know if you'd like to make a stylish addition to your wardrobe. I'll bring it on Sunday.

I hope you can join us at Our Sewing Room this Sunday, March 20.  We will be there from 10 am to 5 pm.  If you'd like to sew, there are machines to borrow, but most of us are more comfortable bringing our own machines.   Sergers, please bring your own machine if possible.  Depending on what task you want to perform, other helpful items are sharp scissors, extra needles and bobbins, a darning needle, a seam ripper, and/or?

PS--Days for Girls is included in an article in Self magazine.  Check it out.