The Power of Two: You Gave Them Sewing Machines and Knowledge...

Two years ago 5 individuals (Linda, Linda R, Mary, Don and Celeste) took on the challenge of training 52 individuals who gathered in Bullawayo, Zimbabwe to learn how to be Ambassadors of Women's Health and to make washable feminine hygiene products. It was a leap of faith that brought a breathtaking response. The stories of why this was so important, the sighs of relief, the woman that said, "This is going to change our world," were all just parts of this incredible day. After the training, two of the participants would not take no for an answer as they took the knowledge they'd gained back to their communities. They also had the leadership of a Governor who embraced Days for Girls with enthusiasm. Those two, one a woman and one the first ever male Ambassador of Women's Health (that's another great story), are on course to cover their entire district. They have reached 27 schools, and an estimated 8,000 girls. They are proving the power of two.

Girls receiving kits at Mabhikwa Secondary School in Lupane

Here's the report from Linda, the Days for Girls Zimbabwe director, "From the 27 schools covered, 50 students were selected to represent their respective schools and were trained. Several women from the community were selected to take part in this exercise and were trained too. Also there’s women’s groups that, using the knowledge and fabric resources that you made possible, is also making pads in Lupane; this group applied for grants and loans to forward their efforts, a loan from an International NGO to make pads, and will pay back the loan in December 2013.  Since January they have managed to make 200 kits, of which the Manager of the centre says, “It’s quite an achievement considering the fact that it’s the farming season.” (During the farming season most households would rather put their focus and energy on farming since its their source of livelihood.) In countries like Zimbabwe women are the backbone of farming."

Days for Girls kits made in Zimbabwe

Now they are requesting more fabric and funding for fabric.     The amazing thing is that as we continue to prove this model     and improve upon it, that EVERY District in Zimbabwe can be served, and the model can be applied elsewhere in the world as well. There are still the other 50 Ambassadors, awaiting more services to reach more girls and women. It's breathtaking to consider all that is possible. World peace... One pad at a time. DfGI will be taking more fabric and resources to the team in Zimbabwe this summer and gathering their stories and results. That fabric and needed resources will be there, in part because of YOUR support.  
Thank you! Hoping you are doing a happy dance with us.  Next, the Uganda report.

It's Our Birthday! Celebrate with us!

It's our fourth birthday and we thought you might like to hear how this all started.

We didn't mean to start a movement. Celeste was only trying to help children at an orphanage live better. She says, "I thought I had found my calling. Then one morning at 2:30 AM I woke with a startling thought,'Have you asked what the girls are doing for feminine hygiene?" I had never considered it. I ran to the computer to email the question. The answer came almost immediately, "Nothing. They wait in their rooms.' I tried to imagine how girls waited in overcrowded rooms, Bunks stacked end to end. Friends and I worked to send money for disposable pads that month, but I knew even if we could raise money every month, the center would likely use it for food. I was returning to Kenya in just 3 weeks. What could we do? Volunteers worked to make washable kits. The girls were so grateful not to have to miss school, not to have to wait in their rooms. But they shocked me with another statement, now they would not have to let their school director 'use' them just to stay in class. That was the moment Days for Girls was born."

Celeste says, "People ask if I started this organization and I usually answer, 'I'm the really good listener who gets to prove every day that people are truly amazing.' 

Today, just 4 years later, Days for Girls International empowers girls, women and communities in 29 nations on 5 continents, tackling large systemic challenges with a simple solution that is turning out to be key to social change.    In the past 4 years our programs and amazing volunteers and contributors have worked together to reach 60,000 plus girls and women, trained over 150 Ambassadors of Women's Health in 3 nations and saved approximately 8,640,000 days for girls and women worldwide. There are now thousands of grassroots volunteers worldwide. 27 Days for Girls Chapters working around the globe to lift communities, family and women... one pad at a time. And the results have been phenomenal.

Okay, the candles are all lit now and everyone at Days for Girls has burst into song. The rest is up to you.

To Celebrate our Birthday we ask you to join us in VOTING for Days for Girls in the Girl Effect Challenge.  This Challenge will be taking place throughout the month of November. Winning the Girl Effect Challenge would be a HUGE honor and empower Days for Girls to reach even more girls. Help us reach our Birthday Wish, VOTE today! 

 

It's Just an Ear. Adventurers with Days for Girls Rated PG

We just learned that there are chimanzee's and gorillas in the highlands here!!! I did not know this or I would have scheduled two days to go be with them.  Imagine a silverback in the wild. Kayte says she is NOT going. In truth we can't as our schedule is full... but next time. Danger or no... we go. Tee hee.  Speaking of danger, I am no longer allowed to text. I was trying to text my husband and sent my love and I am truly "all thumbs" when it comes to the old style of "thumb intuative texting" on old phones. Well I accidently sent an I love you message to... our taxi driver. Who immediately sent a message back to KAYTE saying, "OH! I love you too Kayte!!!" I'm busted. Kayte was mortified. We LIKED that driver and planned to use him again. No more texting for me. Tee hee.

Great day of catching up yesterday after not being able to connect much. I had over 300 emails waiting for me. We leave for the northlands today. I don't know how much access we will have to internet. AMAZING connections here.  Miracles. Let's just say that a mix up in our flights ended up having us getting to meet with international Rotary in Uganda regarding WATER and SANITATION and well, you can't make that happen just like that.

So, funny thing happened yesterday Kayte was making copies of our Ambassador's training manual which we had just added a few things to. She noticed that the last page was formated funny so she had to reprint it. She went to the office where it was printed off and there was a line of youth missionaries along the wall staring at the picture on the printer of... anatomical intercourse (interior view). In the reproductive health part of our training when we get to the anatomy we explain that there is nothing to be ashamed about. We point to our arm and say, "Arm..." Then point down "Vagina. Both are an important part of your body". Then point to the male anatomy chart and say, "Penis... (then pointing up) ear. Both have important functions. " Poor Kayte says she grabbed it from the printer and kept saying to herself, "It's just an ear. It's just an ear." Tee hee. Her face was still red when she got back to the room! Adventures with Days for Girls!

 Okay, we're off to Gulu in our twist skirt and Keen sandals. I'm the one with the beastly hair up in a barrett. I tell you what, sometimes I wish I could trade hair with someone. Who has hair like this in all of the pictures? Someone asked if we wanted to have TV coverage. No thanks. Can I stick to radio?  We'll share photos and more very soon. Promise

The Chief, the Counselor and the Chaos

We arose in the dark of 4 AM and headed toward the province where the Great Zimbabwe ruins stand. We picked up a fourth passenger, which meant three of us were in the back of a small compact and two in front. The car was weighed down with DfG supplies generously made possible by supporters like the Soroptimist Club of Anacortes, WA and Lunapads. (Yea!!) so we were quite low to the ground, but our driver Lucas handled the journey with ease and we arrived just before 11 AM, ready to help Ambassadors teach 50 students, only we were instead routed to "Grandpa" who is a revered leader of the community. Linda had to squeeze onto the center bump between the front seats for Grandpa to join her in the seat and off we went to... The Chief's place. The red dirt road up to his compound of huts, one cinder block building and livestock (chickens and goats) was filled with beautiful natural mineral stones. In fact the region is rich with mineral deposits, which is probably why it has  a very large open asbestos mine (yes, asbestos).  The Chief, his assistant and his wives greeted us and we were directed to be seated on grain bags (one of which read World Food Program) at his feet. He sat on a traditional wooden carved stool (it was interesting to see that what we see in shops is authentically used)and his assistant, Grandpa and our  driver The Chief was attentive and congenial. He asked what our purpose was and then said that this project was good even late, as they could have used it "yesterday"  ( we get this a lot). He then rose and went to go get his "official jacket" which turned out to be a suit jacket with a medal revealing his position which Linda explained later was given to him by Mugaba., their current President.  He declared his approval and said goodbye. We took photos.  His wives then gathered in to see what we had brought and then asked why we had not come with some for them. We regretted not having more than we had said we would bring for the school and promised to return.   Walked back down the hill and climbed in the car,  we drove awhile hen up a long dirt road that required us to climb out and walk as the car woul bottom out. 45 minutes later we were at a large school. We thought we had arrived! It turned out that they did not know we were coming. Then they explained that the Secondary School girls were away on a field trip but we should wait for the counselor. We were puzzled but we sat dutifully, answering questions.  Soon we left with hugs and picture taking and declarations of how much they looked forward to our return. Had we really driven all that way for nothing? We walked back down the road in silence until Grandpa explained that the woman we waited for was the Province Counsel member (we were thinking High School Counselor) and her approval was very important. We walked the long road back and climbed into the car off and on. Now we were headed to the school.
    They didn't know we were coming. And they were excited about what we brought. Okay, NOW we teach the 50. Nope. There were 120! We gave the reproductive health and empowerment talk and then asked what to o as we had only brought supplies for 50 and so the Head Teacher chose some to learn how to sew the kits with a plan to return tore turn in a week or so with supplies for the rest. It was heartbreaking to watch the girls sent away huddling around the doorway to watch after we had just told them that they were treasures that deserved to be safe and well.  Now the chaos began, we went from girl to girl as there were not enough of us (the car was small and we found that the plan Linda had enacted to form groups of ten to each trainer could not be enacted as we were busy setting up for a few more.  Not our favorite moment, but did we ever learn a lot to apply elsewhere.  By 4:30 PM we were exhausted and we had to start back in order to be well on our way before dark.  We waved good bye and set off down the road... And got a phone call. Where were we? There were 150 women waiting for us at the health clinic and they had been waiting all day long! Only, as in all else that had happened that day, we had not been informed. Though we wanted to return, we had no choice, we had to press on and travel back to Linda's house to be ready for a full day of meetings in Bulawayo.  That drive was in silence as we were all tired and disappointed by the course of the day, though important permissions had been granted for the Province efforts to continue. Argh! What a day!  Thank goodness that every storm cloud has a silver lining. We learned a lot for days to come.

The next day was AWESOME!

Next: The Mayor, The Castle and the King's School

Zimbabwe and the Man Who Would Not Take No for an Answer

Hello from Zimbabwe!

Today was amazing. Truly amazing. Do you remember how the DFG team last time trained 48 women and 2 men to be Ambassadors of Women's Health and to train others to make their own kits? One of the men was with the Ministry of Education, the other was sent by the governor's Self Help program and though we advised that it may be especially hard for the women to discuss hygiene. This small and humble man would not take no for an answer. Just as we expected, the women were worried about having men there when we discussed reproductive health but after the man who came from the Ministry of Education shared his experience with learning about the issues of women only after he kept asking why girls had such a steep dropout level in Secondary school when the boys did not. He said, "It is time for everyone to know of this issue."  And in the end the women voted for them both to stay. So, yesterday we met the man that simply would not take no for an answer to interview him about his efforts.  He shared with us how women at first were too ashamed to talk with him. He told them that they are not ashamed to tell their son-in-laws when they have AIDS and are dying. That AIDS happens because men and women get together and have relations, even with multiple partners over time. So why not be open and talk about how your body works and how you can avoid getting AIDS?  Then he explained to us that he had traveled to purchase more fabric on his own so that he could help more women in his community. That it matters so much and he didn't want the women to go without healthy options. We had chills.  We will keep working to gathering stories everywhere. Have you been watching on Facebook? We wish we could post photos of him but don't worry, we got plenty. We will share them when we can. Video too!

This coming week we will work with the trainers to help girls at a disability school make kits. The woman that referred us said that the kits would be far more comfortable then even the sponsored disposable ones that do not work well.  

Speaking of, that woman will be interviewing us on Zimbabwe national radio tomorrow. She is a brilliant and beautiful woman, a little person and a celebrity here. She has the most beautiful thin hands with long fingers with a gold ring on each. It is enchanting to watch the elegant way she uses them while speaking. She said that this is such an important issue and she is excited to interview us, then coached us on the questions she will ask. We'll post the interview after it airs.

And we completed the paperwork for Days for Girls Africa to become it's own nonprofit here in Zimbabwe. Amazing isn't it?  Kayte, the Central California Director is here with Celeste and that Kayte, she is a whizz!  We have appointments with the Vice President of Zimbabwe this week and the Minister of Education next. This adventure of stepping up to reach the girls wherever they are that is unfolding before us day by day without a script is not only fulfilling and remarkable, it is truly a joy. We just walk on. Kayte says she is still getting used to just having faith and watching things come together again and again. But they do! 

So there was also more good news and some bad news today. The tiny bad news was that Don's tippy tap handwashing machine at the YWCA that was built during training this Fall was "attacked" by a group of 200 students staying at the YWCA who loved playing with it and dismantled it a bit in the process. We had heard that it was still there and they had gone through another bar of soap in using it. But it is gone. We were sad. We were really excited to see it there being used still. We are taking the components to build a new home for it far in the provinces while following up on the impact of the program here. Thank you to all that make this remarkable program possible. It is such an honor to be part of it and to do so with such remarkable people. Photos next time!

Girls are Precious

I wish you could have heard them sing. 50 girls in harmony, "Girls are precious, that's our motto." 6 Zimbabwe DFG Ambassadors of Women's Health from the October training came and sacrificed time and their own funds to get to the training for 50 girls. Unheard of in nations where things are so tight... but that is what they did.  They also conducted training on Tuesday and last Thursday. No wonder they have done over 3000 kits since October! They arrived at 9 AM and did not leave until almost 5 PM. They moved around the room expertly guiding. The girls sewed and sang and celebrated their new kits. One girl said, "I loved the lecture. I learned so much. I am so happy I learned." The girls didn't want to leave. We took plenty of photos and video footage. Wait until you hear them share from their own mouths what they used before. Technical difficulties in posting them quite yet, but we'll get it up and posted for you! Thank you SO much for all you make possible. Can't wait for you to see it for yourself.

Hello from Zimbabwe!

Hello from Zimbabwe!
We're here and our layover in Frankfurt may have helped with the jetlag a bit.  Today we mostly spent two hours trying to figure out how to print four letters for dignitaries to request meetings, all without power or wifi. This took visits to a cafe with wifi (where unfortunately Kayte and I had to purchase a hot chocolate to merit a space at a table. I know, someone had to make the sacrifice) followed by a visit to a cyber cafe to do the printing. But the first cafe had power, so even though it was a drawn out process to get on the wifi, at least our laptop got charged up!  Then we mostly prepared for distribution tomorrow by gathering the in-country supplies and readying to watch the Zimbabwe team teach 50 girls to make their own kits. These are the women our team trained in October, so we get to record the results. That and the items we brought with us this time will start going into action first thing in the AM. Thank you to all of you who contributed to make this all possible. All who donated, all who sent in items, and all who helped pack it all up. Monday we start our travels to gather the stories of those who have kits now in thanks to their efforts and yours and to record the stories and surveys of results. So soon you will have many more stories of the difference it makes. We can't wait! Pray that Kayte and Celeste can be expert filmers and photographers. Celeste is going to try to be David Perry and Lee Groberg and Kayte is going to be Cheyenne Ellis. Yeah, wish us luck.

Okay, have to go back to bed. The power is usually on in the middle of the night and you know how jetlag works. It's 3:32 and we have to be up in 3 hours to go start our recording of the miracles YOU all make possible in so many ways. Thanks for all you do. We'll keep in touch. Photos tomorrow!