The first time I came across an organization collecting feminine hygiene products for women in Africa, I was highly annoyed. It was mostly the way it was presented. I obviously recognize the need for feminine hygiene products for women in Africa but the way it was presented made it sound like all of Africa’s problems would be solved if only we sent Crotch Fluff to the girls and women who were menstruating. PLUS, even more irritating was the request that “ONLY disposable products should be sent for sanitary reasons”.

1) Cloth pads are just as sanitary as any paper pad, 2) Paper pads contain harmful dioxins,3)Paper pads require some sort of system for disposal and waste disposal, which is an issue in Africa, which leads to 4) just like disposable diapers, menstrual pads are bad for the environment, which no one in this world needs t add to,especially Africa.

So, I declined to contribute to said charitable project.

Thankfully, now there is Goods 4 Girls, a non-profit organization that collects and distributes cloth pads to young women.The reasoning is simple: to ensure that life doesn’t come to a halt and prevent girls and women from being able to go to school at work because they have their period.

The organization also recognizes that disposable products create a burden on the community’s waste disposal system ,as well as being environmentally hazardous.

Yesterday’s sewing project here was to revamp our own Crotch Fluff stash, and sew extras for Goods 4 Girls. I’ve had a great cloth pad pattern I’ve used for ages that’s simple to make but since I don’t have handy-dandy picture tutorials online, here are some excellent links (also on the Good 4 Girls website) that show variety of methods and patterns for making cloth pads - for yourself or just to contribute to Goods 4 Girls

Also, if you are a non-sewing person, you can still donate by purchasing pads at any number of online shops that sell cloth pads.

Mommy Pads - includes instructions for adding a waterproof barrier

DIY Cloth Menstrual Pads Tutorial

Cloth Menstrual Pads, from the Diaper Sewing site

How to Make a Reusable Menstrual Pad, from WikiHowTo

Cloth Pads Tutorial

Make a Cloth Menstrual Pad, from Home, health and happiness blog

Make your Own Cloth Pads, from Tiny Birds Organics

(crossposted to the Green Goddess blog)

This is from my local Stitch-n-Bitch group:

For those of you looking for another charitable project, I ran across
another. Jewish Family Services (based in Dallas)is collecting knit or
crochet hats, booties, and blankets for preemies born in Haifa,
Israel. The items will be distributed among Israeli and Arab babies in
the area. The very nice woman I have been communicating with, Janine
Pulaman, mentioned that there is also a need for helmet liners for
soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, and has a pattern for those
interested. If you are, her email is jpulman@JFSdallas.org