Foxboro Volunteers Launch Sustainable Menstrual Hygiene Program

Foxborough MA

22 February, 2021

2:05 PM

Description

Press release from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Blackstone Valley Stake: Feb. 22, 2021 More relaxed schedules created by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic have left many Americans searching for worthwhile ways to spend time at home. Local members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are looking outward to serve at-risk populations, especially young girls and women. In poor urban and rural communities throughout the world, menstruating girls and women have few affordable options for managing their hygiene. They frequently miss school or have to drop out as a result of too many missed days. COVID-19 has only compounded these problems, stiffening barriers to education as well as menstrual health management training. On Saturday, March 6 at 2:00 pm The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation in Foxboro will sponsor a menstrual hygiene service event to prepare components of Waterproof Washable Pads. The event, timed in part to honor International Women's Day, will provide a local charity some much needed supplies for its current partner project with the Guam Bureau of Women's Affairs. "This is a wonderful opportunity for members of the community to gather in a safe, socially distanced way to help a high-risk population get access to reusable hygiene products. Washable pads make a huge difference to girls and women eager to get an education and better their lives," says Rebecca Fairbank, a co-founder of the non-profit women's hygiene organization. Jared Bulloch, event organizer, notes, "Our church family is excited to serve together with members of the larger community family to bring hope to girls and women in this heart-warming cause. Anytime we choose to serve others, we choose to follow Jesus Christ." The organization, Sustainable Sanitation Solution, is a locally run non-profit that consults with menstrual health education programs in developing countries to launch sustainable menstrual health education programs and promote the use of sustainable hygiene management products. The SSS coordinates volunteers and supplies donations to jumpstart these programs by making Washable Waterproof Pads for initial inventories. The SSS further helps partner programs purchase affordably sourced menstrual cups, the ultimate sustainable menstrual health product. While this sewing event is not open to the public due to COVID restrictions, members of the community can register on www.justserve.org to be notified about other local service opportunities in their area. They may also email [email protected] to request information about community service opportunities. Do you know of a local organization in need of volunteers? The JustServe website also functions as a repository for projects! Organizations can submit volunteer needs and the site will help match volunteers. This press release was produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Blackstone Valley Stake. The views expressed here are the author's own.