The Dignity Project, Part One

This past weekend, I had a chance to witness the most beautiful blend of encouragement and conviction I have seen in a long time.

Maybe you've heard of the Dignity Project, and if not, you may have heard of a similar project for some other region of the world. You can click on the link above to read the story, but the synopsis is this: Nathan and Jade Metz have been serving as missionaries in Uganda for the past year. As they've learned more about the culture of the area where they serve, Jade discovered that many women have to shut down from life every month when they have their periods, because they can't afford pads/tampons/other supplies. So for that week, they're stuck at home, the school-aged girls can't attend classes, and they do the best they can with old scraps of clothing.

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But let's face it, ladies, you know an old scrap of clothing really is no help in the throes of that literal mess. Jade became so burdened for these women and the embarrassment and isolation they felt every month that she started The Dignity project. Women {wherever in the world} who have the means to do so have been gathering supplies to make reusable pads that are sewn, packaged, and sent to Uganda, where Jade distributes them to women in need. {Here is an update post she wrote at the end of October to show you just how much of a difference these make!}

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One of my friends, Angi, has a HUGE heart for other people, and this ministry really struck her. She loves people, she loves projects, and so of course it only made sense that the two would come together and she would organize a day for women here in our town to come together with whatever gifts and talents they possessed, and have a work day to make these packages for Uganda. Saturday was actually her second such work day, but I wasn't able to make it to the first one.

{Excuse our appearance...it was Saturday. Our day off.}

I wanted to tell you about it, because like Angi reminded us on Saturday, this was just a day of fellowship and crafting for all of us. For the women who receive what we made, this is a true life-changer. This allows them to get out and continue living their lives, uninterrupted, without shutting down for an entire week.

I don't know about you {and we try to keep this blog from teetering on TMI} - but that week for me is always just awful in and of itself. I feel fat, I feel ugly, I hurt, and I just want to curl up in the fetal position and cry. {And sometimes I do!} But I cannot imagine, on top of all that just comes naturally with this delightful event, the added stress of being homebound. Of missing things I want to participate in. Of feeling trapped. Of worrying that someone will know. I can't imagine it.

For us it's an inconvenience, to be sure. But discomfort aside, we don't miss a beat. They miss it all. 

Tomorrow I want to tell you how you can organize a day like this with your friends, or your church group, or your own family. Angi has a great system down and has graciously offered for me to pass her tips and ideas on to you. But in the  meantime, let me just tell you what I loved about this day.

There are people who make these packages all by themselves at home, and that is certainly doable! But I am not blessed with sewing skills, so this would probably end up frustrating me right into quitting if I tried to do it on my own. But when you come together as a group, there really can be a job for everyone. I went on Saturday to ask questions, to take notes, to overhear conversation, and to take pictures. But in between those moments, I found little things I could do here and there to help. So I promise if you do this as a group, you can find a little something for everyone to do.

This was a purposeful party. Throughout my time with these women, I heard much laughter. I heard storytelling. I saw new friendships being formed and old friendships rekindled. I saw women learning new things and working together as a team for the greater good. We drank coffee and ate lunch and stayed inside from the bitter, icy elements raging beyond the walls. It was fun. It was encouraging. It was no inconvenience. And yet because of what we did, women on the other side of the world can learn for the first time what it means to NOT be inconvenienced just because of a little old period.

So come back tomorrow. I'll tell you more about how to organize a day like this for yourself. A party with a purpose.

 {Photo opp with the lovely Holland ladies. I went to church with these two back in the day and appreciate them so much!}

 {Surprised to get to see my dear friend and former Financial Aid Director there! I have missed her!}

{This girl was my student once upon a time, but we won't talk about that because neither of us are old now. And for the record, she can sing like an angel.}