Zion UMW create Days for Girls kits

CRESCO - Zion United Methodist Women, who meet at the First United Methodist Church in Cresco, are making a difference in the lives of poverty-stricken women and girls in Africa by sewing sanitary supplies for the Days for Girls International organization.

The feminine hygiene products, called Days for Girls kits, are distributed throughout Africa by Blessman Ministries, led by Iowans Dr. Jim and Beth Blessman.

Gaye Pedersen of Zion UMW described how women from Howard County learned of the project:

“We became aware of the Days for Girls organization from a lesson given by one of our members from the UMW lesson book for February 2017,” she said. “The lesson told about how women and girls from around the world don’t have access to sanitary supplies, and miss 3-5 days of school or work every month. It also mentioned the ‘Days for Girls’ organization website, which is a volunteer organization donating time, material, money and other supplies to make reusable feminine hygiene products.”

According to Days for Girls literature, 'Without access to feminine hygiene products, girls and women use socks, mattress stuffing, newspapers, corn husks, rocks or anything they can find.'

Pedersen said members of UMW were eager to help in any way they could.

“All of the UMW members present were shocked to hear of this basic need, and were very interested in helping. I love to sew, so I volunteered to do some research online, and reported back to our UMW ladies during the next several meetings.

“I contacted the chairperson of the nearest Days for Girls organization, in Cedar Rapids, and found out that a member lives near Riceville. I contacted the member, Hazel Smith, and set up a date of June 15, 2017, for a ‘Super Sewist Workshop’. Six ladies came with sewing machines and sergers to participate. Mrs. Smith gave a demonstration on how to sew the reusable components, and donated a large amount of fabric for us to sew. Our second ‘Super Sewist Workshop’ was Aug. 23, and held in the basement of the First United Methodist Church in Cresco,” Pedersen said.

The Aug. 23 workshop included Pedersen, Jane Krueger, Sandy Parks, Rose Goetsch and Therma Fitzgerald.

A kit includes one drawstring bag, two moisture barrier shields, eight absorbent trifold liners, two Ziploc freezer bags, one washcloth, two pairs of panties, one travel-size bar of soap and one instruction sheet.

Peterson said she hopes this will be an ongoing project for the UMW unit.

To donate fabric or help purchase supplies, contact Pedersen at 563-547-3342 and leave a message.

About Days for Girls International

Days for Girls International was founded in 2008. Days for Girls kits last two-three years, and each kit gives girls 180 days usage over three years. Days for Girls International has a presence on six continents, serving over 85 countries and reaching over 200,000 girls and counting. The organization has over 1,500 global chapters and teams, and a global alliance of thousands of volunteers and organizations.

There are a variety of ways volunteers may assist the Days for Girls organization, including:

• Sew for Girls: Sew shields, liners and drawstring bags or all three. Instructions, patterns, and where to send the kits are all located on the organization’s ‘Make Kits’ page online.

• Form a Team or Chapter in Your Area: Be a leader in your community and start your own Days for Girls Team or Chapter.

• Fund Raise and Change Lives: To learn more about being an official Funding Fellow, e-mail: Development@daysforgirls.org

• Deliver Kits to Girls: Does your community need kits for girls or women in need? Request them or learn where to distribute the kits by visiting the Days for Girls website.

• Collect Day Builders: Purchase and provide Ziploc gallon freezer bags, panties, fabric or funds with which to build kits. These go the distance in getting the Days for Girls kits created and distributed. Connect with a local chapter or team.

• Volunteer with Days for Girls using your talents. Serve as an intern for one year on one of the in-country programs. Visit info@daysforgirls.org.

For more information about Days for Girls International, visit their website at www.daysforgirls.org or their Facebook page at: www.Facebook.com/DaysforGirls.