Lunapads in Swaziland!
There has been a lot of discussion lately on the web about girls in Africa in the wake of Tampax and Always TV ads on the topic. While we have yet to complete our assessment of the relative good actually being done by disposable products being made available to girls in need, for our part we regularly donate Lunapads to organizations working with women and girls globally: the latest recipients happen to be in Swaziland.
In January of this year Cindy Myint, a customer in Atlanta GA, wrote to us: “I am writing on behalf of a charitable group that my mother runs for the benefit of a small village called Nkamazi in Swaziland, Africa. To give you the quick background, my mother is the Executive Director of a small AIDS non-profit in Moncton, NB. She was approached a few years ago to partner with an African group and ultimately to improve the lives of some 80 children orphaned by parents who have perished from AIDS and its complications.
This is a grassroots movement with little funding. However, they’ve made a big impact in the little time they’ve been working there. Most notably, they have 39 children enrolled in school with their fees being paid largely by individuals and groups in the Moncton and Saint John areas. They have also established a sustainable garden with land donated by the village chief and created a sewing group. They’ve raised funds for several sewing machines and received many donation from Canadians of fabric and notions which are hand carried to Swaziland by dedicated volunteers.
Over the holidays, my mother was telling me that the girls in Africa miss on average one week of school because of their menstrual cycle. They actually stay home from class and use rags for roughly a week. In an 8 month school year, this equates to 2 missed months of school for the girls. My mother had never heard of any natural/reusable alternatives until I told her about your products. I was turned on to Lunapads by an acquaintance of mine here in Atlanta who swears by them. When my cycle returned after my first pregnancy, I was pretty bummed about having to stock up on pads and tampons after being nearly 2 years free of the annoyance. That’s when my friend told me about your products and I had my husband hunt them down the last time he was in Vancouver.”
Lunapads responded immediately with a donation of 4 dozen pad and liner sets. The photo above is Cindy’s mom, Debby showing the girls how to use their new Lunapads.
Cindy writes: “I am happy to report that the Lunapads were extremely well received by the girls in Swaziland. Attached is a picture of two girls getting their pads, along with some instruction of how to use and care for them. Once word got out to the girls that they could get these pads, they started coming to where Debby and Julie were staying to get them.”
February 28th, 2008 at 5:11 am
That’s awesome! I’m glad to hear it.