Local volunteers came together for a day of sewing to create hundreds of pads for schoolgirls in Uganda, supporting the Pachamama Project, which tackles period poverty around the world.
The Holy Trinity Eco Church has been holding sewing days for the charity since 2021 and has sent over 4,000 pads in that time. At a sewing day earlier this month in Dilton Marsh, 618 pads were created by the volunteers.
“The pads being made at present are going to Uganda, to Arimumikonoye Dick, a teacher who is on a mission to end schoolgirl dropouts in his region,” said Lynne Vercoe, one of the organisers. “He was buying reusable pads for all the girls in his school and, seeing incredible results on their attendance, he reached out to Pachamama and the rest is history.
“After renting a van and driving eight hours to Kampala to pick up the shipment, he went school to school delivering menstrual health education and our reusable pads, including to schools that can’t even be reached by car.
“All in all, he delivered 12,000 pads to 1,500 students across 12 schools, two orphanages and a girls’ sports academy. This will help de-stigmatise menstruation for girls and give them access to all the opportunities that come with being able to stay in school.”
The charity supports women across the world, including in Lebanon, Pakistan, Uganda, the USA, Greece, Syria, Ukraine, Italy and the UK.
“Thanks must go to the Dilton Memorial Hall, who so kindly provide the venue free of charge,” said Lynne. “Without their support we would have great difficulty continuing our work on this essential project.”
The next sewing day will take place on Saturday 11th July, when the group will make drawstring bags for the pads. Another pad-making day is planned for Saturday 12th September. Volunteers can also make pads and bags in their own time between sewing days, and people can donate materials to the group.
For more information, contact Lynne on vercoelynne@gmail.com
