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Jun 13, 2016

ECW Says: Every Girl. Everywhere. Period.

The Diocesan Episcopal Church Women’s board recently announced its support of a project to provide sustainable hygiene kits and health education to school-aged girls in developing countries. Days for Girls is a non-profit agency that creates sustainable hygiene kits and educates girls on safe and effective use of feminine hygiene options. Huffington Post named the initiative one of their “Next Ten” poised to change the world in the next decade.

The availability of feminine hygiene products can reduce the days of school missed by many girls in developing countries who are forced to remain at home during their menstrual cycle without access to feminine hygiene products. To avoid missing school, some girls have been known to utilize corn husks, leaves, newspaper or other unreliable and unsanitary items to deal with this normal hygiene issue. If the girls are able to stay in school, the family’s cycle of poverty is often broken more easily.

While several churches, encouraged first by St. Christopher’s, League City, have been involved in the initiative for some time, the ECW would like to broaden the support to include all Diocese of Texas women’s groups. All women in the Diocese of Texas are considered members of Episcopal Church Women whether or not their local parish has an active ECW chapter.

“DfG’s ongoing desire is to provide a way to give these women dignity, allowing them to continue their education,” said Leiselle Sadler, ECW diocesan Outreach Chair.

Fran Lantz presented a workshop about Days for Girls at the 2015 ECW retreat at Camp Allen. “She touched the hearts of many of the women by her passion to help and change lives,” Sadler said.

To learn how you can become involved, go to: www.daysforgirls.org or contact Lantz at friendswoodtx@daysforgirls.org or on Facebook at Days For Girls Friendswood TX Team for local contact. Kits and donations can always be sent directly to: Days for Girls International, 1610 Grover Street B-22, Lynden, WA 98264.