Local volunteers gathered at the Christ Church in Fernie to sew menstrual hygiene kits for women as part of the Fernie chapter of Days For Girls.
Days For Girls is an organization that helps to provide reusable menstrual hygiene kits to women who don’t have access to such products, whether that’s in developing countries or across North America.
The Fernie chapter was set up only five months ago and is a bridge between Red Deer and the Okanagan.
Volunteers come out to the Christ Church once a month for sewing sessions that last from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“Our initial goal for the end of the year was to make 100 kits and we are almost there and we’re going to keep going,” said organizer Becca Musso. “We have a huge group of people making this happen and we’ve got all kinds of things happening in various stages, so there’s jobs to fit everyone’s skill level.”
Each kit that the group makes includes a colourful drawstring bag, a pair of colourful underwear, a washcloth, two Ziploc bags (to act as her washing machine), eight liners (designed to be washed with minimal water) and two shields to snap around her underwear and hold up to three liners depending on how much protection she needs.
“They’re designed to be attractive,” noted Musso. “The brighter the colours, the better, as they hide the stains best. For a lot of the girls, this will be the only brand new thing she’s ever had in her life. They’re made with love and I think they can feel that,” she said.
Musso said that the popularity of the chapter has grown quickly over the last few months.
“It’s gotten to the point where we can’t count the amount of people who come in anymore,” Musso admitted happily.
One person who planned to stay the entire sewing period was Kate Moran, an experienced sewer who works with clothing repair and design.
“This is my third [session] and I’ll be staying all eight hours,” said Moran, “I’m here for the long haul.”
Moran said she was happy to donate her time and skills to a group whose cause “hits close to home.”
“I can donate skills, which we don’t always get the option to do. This is something where there’s a physical product that I can help make,” said Moran.
Musso said that Days For Girls is always accepting fabric donations, particularly flannel, as well as underwear for girls in size 9-16.