Days for Girls Distribution

During the 2019 delegation trip, AIAIA traveled to South Africa with its first suitcase full of 100 beautiful and brightly colored fabric bags. The kits were filled with reusable menstrual kits. Each kit consisted of a drawstring bag filled with two waterproof shields, eight absorbent flannel liners, a carrying pouch for privacy, a bar of soap, a washcloth, two pairs of panties, and care and use guidelines. It was our first time collaborating with Days for Girls, the international organization that partners around the globe to promote menstrual equity by providing reusable menstrual supplies, as well as education to girls and boys around menstrual and reproductive health, hygiene, and safety. These products help destigmatize the shame around puberty and menstruation, allowing girls to remain in school, participate fully in their education and lives, and pursue their dreams.

Since our last delegation trip in 2019, AIAIA has been exploring opportunities and partnerships to expand our work with Days for Girls. We have recently teamed up with two experienced and inspirational women determined to remove barriers and increase access to quality education for young people in South Africa.  

Our first partner is Lou Billet, chairperson and founder of African Angels in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Lou runs a primary school and a community learning center, and has just recently established one of the newest Days for Girls Enterprises in the world. We feel very fortunate to be building a relationship with African Angels and to have had the opportunity to fund their most recent Days for Girls distribution this month at the Isolomzi High School in Ngicela, a village located two hours from East London. Lou recently updated us on their recent distribution saying, “We educated 250 girls and gave them their kits, and also educated 200 young men about menstrual and reproductive health.” She also shared that the recipients “are some of the poorest in the country, whose families survive on government grants.” “The girls were ecstatic…and relieved to receive their kits.” In addition, the African Angels Days for Girls Enterprise is now generating jobs and income for those women involved in the creation, education, and distribution of their reusable kits.  

Our second ally is Leona Scheepers, the co-leader of the Kempton Park Days for Girls Enterprise outside of Johannesburg. Leona is a long-time affiliate of the Cuddle Trust, an organization promoting educational opportunities as a way to combat poverty and create positive community change. She reported that our recent donation will provide education and reusable menstrual kits to 150 girls in the Western Cape, as well as purchase two new sewing machines, fabric, and other necessary sewing and educational materials. She shared that it will allow us to "have an immediate impact in Gugulethu with Babalwa," the pastor’s wife at JL Zwane, where AIAIA has been partnering for many years, as well as "in Green Village township with a high rate of unemployment and lots of single women and children" who will benefit from these much-needed supplies. The newly purchased machines and supplies will further Leona’s efforts to develop and train two new sewing pods, one in Gugulethu and a second in Green Village. The pods are small groups of women who will be instrumental in the creation, education, and distribution of their products.  

We are honored to be able to help support both Lou and Leona in their significant endeavors. To all of our donors who designated their donations to support our work with Days for Girls, we are truly grateful. Both Lou and Leona expressed deep gratitude for your generosity to AIAIA. Lou conveyed it perfectly by saying, “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. This is truly a community of women and girls who need menstrual products.”  Leona added that your ongoing support "would also allow us to impact more lives."