JOIN US FEBRUARY 10

REMEMBER, IN FEBRUARY WE WILL MEET ON THE SECOND SATURDAY

Due to a conflict at Our Sewing Room, we've changed our February workday to the 10th.  Hope to see you then.  Please let me know if you're coming--it helps me know what to bring!

ANOTHER YOUNG WOMAN DIES 

This New York Times article underscores why what Days for Girls does is so important.  Nepal has a very cruel tradition/supersitition that has proven deadly for some females.  

ALSO FROM NEPAL

This piece from the BBC also addresses some of the issues we're working to change in Nepal.

FIGHTING FGM IN KENYA

The bravery of one woman changes lives for those to come. Another thorough article from the New York Times.

FLANNELS

Here's a photo of some flannels that should hide stains very well!  

YOU CAN'T CROSS THE RIVER!

It seems that in a particular part of Ghana, a river god has decided that girls cannot cross the river when they are menstruating . . . and on Tuesdays.  The school's on the other side of the river.  It makes me wonder who's receiving and sharing the information from this local river god.

SEATTLE UNIVERSITY SENIOR

"No society has yet resolved its taboo treatment of menstruation. Learning about organizations like Days for Girls is just the beginning of understanding the magnitude of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) issues around the world."

I urge you to read this article on defining menstruation as a social justice issue, written by a senior at Seattle University.  It's on the Days for Girls website, along with some other interesting things to read.  

KITS FOR REFUGEES

Tonight on OPB I'm watching a heartbreaking program about refugees.  It is difficult to watch, thinking about humans' insensitivity to each other, the heartache, the pain, hunger, fear and difficulties these people face every day. It's especially poignant because this morning I sent off a 24-pound box of our shields and liners to Greece for women who are refugees from Syria.  Managing their periods is only one of so many difficulties in their lives, but I'm happy that we can at least help with that.  Thank you to all of you whose financial and in-kind donations and hours spent making these components meant we had available supplies to send them, and to Kalani and John for their generous contribution for postage! I'm hoping that this is something we can continue, as long as there is need.  Read the articles that come up when you Google "Greece refugees":  you'll see that the situation is desperate and heartbreaking.