How is it that it seems I updated the website only a few weeks ago – and here we are 3 months later!! It is not as though we are not busy – we are busier than ever!!

Isalamabad – Pakistan

We are totally delighted to welcome Sara Asif as a Women’s Health Ambassador to continue the work in Pakistan with girls and women in Islamabad Pakistan. Sara is involved with ‘I Support the Girls’ charity and was already distributing bras, panties and disposable pads when I approached her to see if we could help! She also runs a Vocational Training Centre where the girls learn to sew.

The girls have been sewing panties and bras, and we have sent them a snap machine and our Poly Eurothane Laminate (water proof barrier) for making pads – they are very excited to be able to make pads which can be used, washed and don’t leak. We will look at establishing an Enterprise once things have settled as it is early days.

It is easy to underestimate the effect that these small kits will have on each of these girls, they bring dignity and health, with a washable option every month. They bring education as the girls no longer need to miss days of school. They bring careers as educated girls go on to bring income and opportunities for the family. And with education and a career the women have more opportunities, less pressure to marry young and have many children. They change their own lives, their families lives and the community!!

Currently there are around 1600 DFG kits on their way to Pakistan in two shipments – there is exciting anticipation for the kits to arrive, plus clothing, warm items, school items, bras and toiletries.

Manila – Philippines

We are so very blessed to have made the contact with Micaela and Leisl who have connections to the Philippines and a real passion for assisting the families living in the slums built on the dump sites. These families are so very poor, with little and the need is so great. So Jorlyn has completed her training as an Ambassador of Womens Health and this amazing team goes out and distributes Days for Girls Kits to the dump sites and also deliver bras, toiletries, kids clothes, school supplies, shoes, toys and first aid supplies.

Over the past weeks many children have been given new clothes, dresses and shorts, underwear and for the young girls and women – bras. It is so important for the health of women in countries to have dignity and health with appropriate menstrual products and underwear – and we are delighted to assist.

I am also very happy to let you know that across Australia DFG teams have donated kits to the Philippines to assist with the great need. It is through their constant assistance and help that we have been able to deliver the astounding numbers of kits into the Philippines that we have been able too.

Here are a few photos of the kids receiving their new clothes – they are extremely patient as they wait in line for their clothes and delighted when it is finally their turn …. as you can see…..

We have so much to do in the Philippines and we will continue to support the team and the work these amazing people are doing …. we appreciate them so much

Punjab – Pakistan

In Punjab Pakistan Lubna Ghani has been able to do several distributions over the past month through the regions around Toba Tek Singh. there are been several distributions which have been really successful and it seems Rotary is interested now in becoming involved.

It has taken time for the people of the area to get involved with the Days For Girls ethos – but Lubna has done an amazing job and valiantly continues the work even though sometimes it is very difficult.

Unfortunately COVID has torn through Pakistan and Lubna and her family tested positive in mid April. It is great to hear however that they all recovered and while they are recuperating and minding their health, hundreds of kits are on their way to them from DFG Teams from around Australia. The support has been incredible and it is a testament to the belief that the DFG kits change lives!

At Easter Lubna did a distribution of kids clothes, toiletries and toothbrushes – proudly held aloft in this photo – the children haven’t learnt to brush their teeth so Lubna teaches this skill and washing hands which save lives in these communities.

Colombo – Sri Lanka

We are delighted to say that our first shipment to Sri Lanka is on its way – 275 DFG Kits from Lismore DFG Team. We have Kusum Amaratunge trained as an Ambassador of Womens Health and involved in Lions Club in Sri Lanka. While we are not quite there as yet I wanted to take the opportunity to thank Chandanie Kottege for the introduction and we are excited that DFG kits into Sri Lanka will be happening in about 7 weeks.

Fundraising

If you have got this far – thanks for keeping with this – there was so much to catch up on. We held our 3rd Market – the Autumn Leaves Market on the 1st and 2nd of May to raise funds for Sew for a Girl Canberra (incorporating Days for Girls – Tuggeranong ACT). We are delighted to say we raised $2100 in sales of our Market Tote Bags and other items on the stall.

I thank all the volunteers to assisted so ably on the day, the market stall holders who were a joy to work with and the Pearce Community Centre for a great venue. In addition the customers were so supportive and generous it made the whole market hum and was wonderful to be a part of.

I am in planning mode for the Christmas in July Market on the 10th and 11th July which should be such fun!!

Thank you one and all for your amazing support – I simply am blown away how we can achieve so much and help so many by simply working together and holding onto the passion!!

Lots of love

Carol