what ’ s on
What is Days for Girls ( DfG )?
Days for Girls ( DfG ) stands for the productive days given back to girls with the use of a washable feminine hygiene kit . DfG provides a hand crafted , washable kit to help girls manage their menstrual cycle .
The response has been over-whelming as girls are given these life-changing kits . Cultural taboos are being addressed and women are given the means to manage , with dignity , their menstrual cycle .
Days for Girls was started by Celeste Mergens from America in 2008 following experiences she saw firsthand in Kenya . Days for Girls Australia was then started by Gloria Buttsworth of Newcastle in 2012 following a visit to Uganda .
DAYS FOR GIRLS GOSFORD NORTH SEWING TEAM In 2014 , Deidra Groppenbacher discovered Days for Girls at an International Rotary Conference held at Homebush . Deidra along with Dee Barham went on to commence Gosford North Sewing Team in July 2014 through their Inner Wheel Club of Gosford North .
The team recently produced their 5,000th kit . Each kit consists of the sewing of 11 items which are made by volunteers who work from home and bring their “ homework ” to our packing days ( every 5-6 weeks ) held in the Kariong Somersby Rotary Hall .
Every DfG sewing team is self-funded and must fundraise to supply all fabric and items to produce these kits . Our kits have been distributed to Fiji , Vanuatu , Cambodia , Congo , Ethiopia , Burma , Rwanda , Zimbabwe , PNG , Tanzania , Kenya , Nepal , India , East Timor , West Timor , Phillipines and Pakistan . Distribution is mainly by Rotary , Church groups and Mid- Wives East Timor . We have 3 satellite groups on the Coast and supply them with material etc . to produce kits . Days for Girls Australia became a registered charity in March this year and our DFG Gosford North Sewing Team now operates independently of the Inner Wheel Club of Gosford North .
This allows us to issue tax-deductible donation receipts . We are available as guest speakers to speak about Days for Girls .
If you wish to know more about us or make a donation please email Dee or Deidra at gosfordnorthnsw @ daysforgirls . org
46 KIDZ ON THE COAST