Do you sew for DFG at home?

CHANGES TO KITS

Days for Girls appreciates and relies on feedback from the field to make sure every part of our kits is the best it can be.  Because of all that research and feedback, changes are occasionally made that the DFG experts feel will improve the kits and better serve the girls and women who use them.  In 9 years of existence, DFG has made 29 major and minor tweaks to our kit components.  Some (since I've been involved) have to do with quantity of items included, shape, dimensions, wrappers, how to assemble kits, patterns of fabric prints, and drawstrings we use.  

The nonprofit DFG headquarters used to make the kit instructions available to anyone on their website.  Then, as recently as last year, they asked you to sign in with your email address anytime you wanted to access a pattern or directions, and agree to only use it according to DFG guidelines.  Now, you need to be a team or chapter leader, or register as a solo sewer.  There were a few problems with the easy access--one was people using DFG patterns to make kits to sell for profit.  Another was similar--people making the supplies to sell in competition with our Days for Girls Enterprises in their countries.  

I'm seeing a few problems with our volunteers not having access to the patterns.  Mainly, they're not aware when a change has been made, and if they're not sewing with us at our monthly workdays, may make many of a changed item without realizing that the pattern or directions have been revised.  

I've asked headquarters if they could list the most recent revision date for each item on their website.  We'll see if that happens.

In the meantime, please know that the size and sewing instructions for the drawstring bags were changed a few months ago.  We use 5/8" polyester grosgrain for the drawstrings (no more drawstrings sewn of fabric, and we won't be buying anymore twill tape--it doesn't last as long) , and they're a longer length now too.  

And as a matter of fact, we get a great price on the grosgrain in a riot of colors, so actually prefer that you turn in your bags without drawstrings, so we can pick the perfect color for them.  We have a wonderful non-sewing volunteer who cuts, seals and inserts the grosgrain.  

So, if you're somebody who occasionally brings or sends us items you've sewn at home, please contact me about updating your patterns and instructions.  

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

This is so important.  I've heard people infer that because the recipient of a kit had nothing before, anything we give her is an improvement.  I disagree. My philosophy is that she deserves the very best we can possibly provide!

What does this mean for you?  Checking your work!  Make sure your measurements are exactly correct.  Evaluate your sewing/serging as you go, checking each item for messed up thread tension, skipped stitches or screwy serging, and carefully evaluating when you finish, making sure you've caught all fabrics in a seam, removed thread tails and basting stitches and that the finished size is right.  If you can't make it perfect in every way, please set it aside.  We occasionally have an opportunity to use these seconds for women with a short-term need, such as after a natural disaster.  A few weeks ago, I sent three boxes of useable but not DFG-perfect components for women in Houston.

For many, if not most, of the girls and women who receive our kits, this is the nicest thing they've ever had.  Let's make sure we've followed all the guidelines and done our absolute best work.  

VIDEOS TO WATCH

YouTube has dozens great videos for you to watch: how-tos, introductions, history, distributions, workdays, thank yous, etc.  Just type in Days for Girls in the YouTube search bar and you'll see lots of choices.  One I like to show occasionally is narrated by an actress, condensing lots of feedback we've gotten from the recipients into one short video.  I hope you'll take the time to watch this.

DO YOU SEW SHIELDS?

Some machines have trouble on the thick corners of our shields.  Of course we always recommend that you diagonally cut off the corners on the long ends of the PUL before layering the parts, which removes some of the bulk.  

If your machine still struggles, here's a tip from a volunteer in St. Louis:  

I made a little video to show how I edgestitch the corners of my shields. I taped together some cardboard (my red jean-a-ma-jig was too thick) to help me get around the corners without getting stuck. Thought someone else might like this tip. You can see how nicely they turn out.    NOTE:  It appears that you have to click on the circular arrow in the rectangle below to get to her video.

KENYA PLASTIC BAG BAN

Official Update: Kenya Plastic Bag Ban

Dear Teams & Chapters!

Thank you for waiting patiently on solutions to the Kenya plastic bag situation. It has been determined after further communications and the latest information we have received, from Kenya, that we will not include any plastic bags in DfG Kits for Kenya. There are several containment options currently being prototyped. One is a small PUL pouch constructed with 1/4"wide french seams to the outside. A water sealant at the seam line is on the inside. These are not yet official patterns as more than 20 suggestions (thank you) are currently being reviewed. Until we have finalized the replacement option, please do not include any replacement for the plastic bag. 

We expect that within coming weeks we will have determined best practice going forward. 

REGIONAL CONFERENCE

In Lebanon last weekend, I had the opportunity to speak about Days for Girls  to a regional conference of Methodist women.  The organizer had heard me speak elsewhere, and shared our supply wishlist with the attendees in advance.  I went home with wonderful donations!  Thank you for your generosity, ladies!

OUR NEXT WORKDAY

We'd love to have you join us for our first Saturday workday at Our Sewing Room, October 7th.  If you sew or serge, please bring your machine and basic sewing supplies.  If you can help us with all the non-sewing tasks, we welcome you also, and will put you to work!
We'll be there from 10:30 to about 4:30 or 5:00.  Come for as much time as works for you.

FUNDRAISING FOR OUR CHAPTER

RAFFLE QUILT!

Last week our first-ever raffle quilt was completed and ready to greet the world!  The blocks were foundation pieced by volunteers in our chapter.  It's a color-drenched double-bed sized string quilt, made with leftover cotton fabric from our bags and shields.

The purpose of this project is to raise money to support and enable our kit-making mission.  The materials in each Days for Girls kit we give cost about $10 with our focus on watching the sales for the best prices.

We need you, the folks who already know about Days for Girls, to take a stab at selling tickets.  I  will take it to places where I've been asked to speak about Days for Girls, and hope you know of some good places too.   I've put together packets of 30 and 60 tickets with a photo of the quilt for you to take, to offer tickets to your family, friends and coworkers.  I suspect many of them already know about Days for Girls from you, and are likely to want to help. Or you might like to buy some for gifts.  Lions, Rotary, and other service clubs, quilt shops and shows, etc. are other possibilities--I hope you all will help in this effort.  Sometimes it's as simple as putting the photo, tickets and information on the staff room table.  On the evening of Friday, the 13th of October, we plan to be in front of Our Sewing Room during the Springfield Art walk.  Please let me know if you can help sell tickets that evening.

Tickets are $1. each, or 6 for $5.  We are planning to draw the winning ticket on Menstrual Hygiene Day (the one with the significant date), May 28th (5 days in a period, 28 in a cycle).  MHD  is an annual awareness day, originated in Germany, that aims to break taboos and raise awareness about the importance of good menstrual hygiene management  for women and adolescent girls worldwide.

#CountHERin

Yesterday Days for Girls International announced the 2017 fundraising campaign.  They've stated their goal of reaching one million girls by the end of this year, and this campaign reflects that.  To donate to our chapter, you just go here. Your donation will stay with our Eugene/Springfield group.

This video introduces the CountHERin campaign.

You can donate in honor of or in memory of somebody, and can add a comment to your donation.  You can also be listed as anonymous if you'd like.

If you'd like to make a donation in this campaign, please do so by the end of 2017.  You'll immediately receive a printable receipt for tax purposes.  Every $10 donated provides a kit that will keep another girl in school!

So, unexpectedly, September 2017 has brought not one but two different ways to support our efforts financially.  If you buy raffle tickets, you have a chance to win a great quilt.  If you make an online donation on the CountHERin site, you'll get a receipt if you'd like to list your donation on your tax form.  **And then, there's always the wonderful old-fashioned cash or check that you can hand or send to me (Checks should be made out to Days for Girls).**

Of course, our money goes even further, thanks to all the generous donations of underwear, washcloths, fabric, Ziplocs, etc.  If you're interested in in-kind donations, please ask for our wishlist for specific needs (You can do that at the end of this blog).

RAPID GROWTH

Days for Girls only formed in October of 2008, but the rate  of growth continues to skyrocket.  As of last week, Days for Girls kits have been provided to 802,527 women and girls in 114 nations, thanks in part to a 25% increase in 2016 alone!  The goal is to have distributed one million by the end of 2017.

I find that to be amazing.  I've been gratified at the number of dedicated continuing and new volunteers for our Eugene/Springfield Chapter.  A wonderful benefit of being part of this group is the great people, so generous of their time, who gather at our workdays--we do have a good time and accomplish so much!

FEEDBACK

I'm often asked if we hear from the recipients, and the answer is yes.    The head of a chapter in Connecticut just returned to Kenya last weekend, and shared this feedback: 

I have interviewed over forty women in the Il Ngwesi community. They report the DFG education has changed their lives. Now men and women have the tools to talk to each other. Before they did not have a common language. They report the kits are in fine condition, are easy to wash with no stains including the light colored liners, they are good for the earth, save them money, are comfortable and they always have them available. Yes they use the plastic bag to wash. They are very grateful to Days for Girls!

And this, Kenyan girls comparing life before and with DFG kits: 

Today I met with 5 girls from the Chumvi Primary School grade 8 who I interviewed 6 months ago. Stella, Grace, Angela, Priscilla, and Miriam. 

They have had their kits over one year. I also interviewed 3 girls from Chumvi Secondary School ages 16-17 Jacqueline, Mary, and Sophia. These girls have had there kits for over three years and I know them. All kits are in fine condition and have their components. The younger girls had their kits. The older girls confirmed the condition. 


I loved hearing them talk together. They agree and say, the school pads are very thin and they don't have enough. When at home they use cloth and rags to tie their pads and leak a lot. Since the DFG pads none have missed School. They say they are colorful, save money, easy to wash and care for, cause no pollution, and they never leak in class.

OUR NEXT WORKDAY

Please join us if you can at Our Sewing Room on the first Saturday in October.  Drop in any time after 10:30--and we're there until 4:30 or 5:00.  If you sew or serge, please bring your machine and basic sewing supplies.  Street parking is 2 hours, but the bank lot across the street is available to us on Saturdays.  

THE UNVEILING OF OUR 2017 RAFFLE QUILT

SEPTEMBER WORKDAY

Please join us next Saturday, the 9th if you can.  We'll be at Our Sewing Room from 10:30 to around 4:30--5:00.  Bring your machine if you'd like to sew or serge, and basic sewing supplies.

WHERE DO WE DISTRIBUTE KITS?

Just about everywhere.  Right now I'm getting some components ready for women in Houston.  But, most of our kits go to girls and women in other countries:  Ghana, Haiti, India, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe, so far.

Days for Girls is on target to have distributed a million kits by the end of this year!

That's a lot of girls who will have many more days of school each year.  Girls who are less likely to drop out because they've gotten behind on their studies.  Research shows that girls with more education will help to raise the economy of their community.  In Third World counties, the rate of infant and child mortality is directly related to the educational level of the mom!  That's impact.

FINANCES

Teams and chapters receive no financial support from Days for Girls.  We rely entirely on the generosity of folks who agree that this is important work.  

When we buy for our kits, we wait until the prices are excellent.  And I try to post when I hear that components are on sale.  Last night I cleaned the Eugene JoAnn's out of all (really) their flannel that would be great (busy and dark enough, no faces, words, etc.) for our liners.  I spent $102.43, and saved $234.09 off regular prices.

We let people know what we need, and every month there are angels bringing us fabric and other supplies.  When we started out, we often received donations which were not exactly what was required by DFG, and we had to pass those on to other nonprofits.  But now--wow--we get such perfect donations!!  Our orange handout does have a detailed wish list on one side, and it appears people DO read it!  I'll paste that info in this blog post--just scroll down a few inches.

Last year, we held a big yard sale with the Springfield Lions, and split the profits.  This year we're trying a raffle quilt as our big fundraiser.  Several volunteers foundation-pieced quilt blocks this summer, using fabric scraps left over from making bags and shields. I finished hand-sewing on the binding this weekend, and it's ready to meet the world!

We hope to have many opportunities for people to buy (and sell) tickets for the quilt.   Please help out--if you know of a place where volunteers could set up to sell tickets, or you have a group where you could offer tickets to others, please let me know. And please offer them to your friends.

I'll have tickets and the quilt available at our workdays.  When you take a batch of tickets to sell, you can take a photo too.  The quilt is available to be shown at events, too.

OUR HANDOUT

In case you've misplaced yours, or never got one, here's the text of the orange flyer with all the crucial information:

Days for Girls International

Eugene/Springfield Chapter

Susan Mondon & Mary Jo Moloney, Co-Directors

Email:  dfgeugene@gmail.com

Blog: dfgeugene.blogspot.com

Website:  daysforgirls.org

Since 2008, Days for Girls has changed the lives of nearly a million girls and women in 113 countries by providing them with washable feminine hygiene kits.  With a kit, a girl can stay in school. Families, communities and nations become stronger.  The single most important factor in reducing childhood deaths is the education level of the mother, and these kits help girls stay in school.

If you decide that contributing to Days for Girls is something that you’d like do on a regular or occasional basis, just join us or contact me at the above email.  Our volunteers typically focus on one item or phase of making an item.  If you want to sew at home, please let us check your first items before you continue.

If you’d like to donate supplies, the details of what we need, and restrictions, are on the reverse of this slip, and on our blog, dfgeugene.blogspot.com.  They are listed in current order of need. If you’d like a receipt for tax purposes, please ask.

For tax-deductible monetary donations, please check with me.  Sometimes there’s a fundraiser with matching funds.

These kits may be the nicest things the girls ever receive!  We strive to make them beautiful and perfect in every way.  Thank you so much for helping with attention to detail!

Our DFG Eugene Chapter meets monthly at Our Sewing Room, 448 Main St., Springfield, usually on the 1st Saturday of the month. (Check blog to verify a specific date).  We are there from 10:30 to about 4:30.  Come for all or part.  Information, photos, links and future dates and changes will be on our blog.

Every Girl.  Everywhere.  Period.

Days for Girls Eugene/Springfield Chapter

Donations Wish List

Fabric restrictions:  Medium/dark to dark colors, in busy stain-hiding designs, such as florals. Because of cultural considerations, we need to avoid prints depicting weapons, people/ animals with faces, insects (butterflies are OK), camouflage, religion, words, or holidays.  Avoid solids.

Polyester serger thread—good quality, medium/darker colors.

Polyester thread in medium and dark colors (Gutermann is a good brand). 

Quality cotton flannel (see fabric restrictions above).  If you have time to wash, dry and press it, that’s greatly appreciated.

Cotton washcloths, in darker colors. Target has a good price on 8-packs by Room Essentials.  Do not wash. Not microfiber.

Girls’ cotton underpants, sizes 10, 12, 14 & 16, & women’s sizes, as colorful as possible (for hiding stains). The style we use is briefs—please no bikini/hipster/thong/boy shorts styles. Fabric restrictions apply here too. Do not wash.

Rotary cutter blades, 45mm or 60mm

Ziploc brand gallon size freezer bags  (photo of meat on front of box)

Quality cotton fabric, the prettier the better. (see fabric restrictions above). 

Small “hotel” soaps