A GROUP of Tenison Woods College students will deliver health packs for young women to Timor Leste next week after being made aware of the need for aid in underdeveloped countries.
Ten college students and two staff members will journey to the Southeast Asian nation on Monday with 150 Days for Girls packs to support women during their monthly menstrual cycle.
Founded in 2008, Days for Girls prepares and distributes sustainable menstrual health solutions to girls who would otherwise miss school during their monthly periods.
Mount Gambier branch Timor Leste immersion coordinator Bernedette Fisher said from previous trips to the country, students and staff had personally seen the impact menstrual cycles had on women’s lifestyles.
“While in discussion with Timorese women, we were told the unbelievable impact cycles had on their lifestyles,” she said.
“Girls are stuck at home, not able to attend school, more prone to infections due to not washing rags correctly and only being able to dry their rags inside because of not wanting people to see them outside.
“I began to think about what we could do to help, so I contacted our Mount Gambier Days for Girls branch and suggested for the kids to become involved.”
Mount Gambier branch team leader Geraldine Pluckhahn said women around the world without sanitary supplies manage their periods using rags, leaves, grass, cardboard, sawdust, ash or anything they can find.
“Having the kids involved is another learning project for them because they are able to understand what is going on and how the packs have impact,” Ms Pluckhahn said.
“I think western society does not realise how girls in third world countries are affected, but it is real and this is one step in preventing the impact.”
Each pack contains two waterproof shields, eight flannelette liners, two pairs of underwear, soap, a flannel, two zip-lock bags and a trifold brochure with instructions.
Ms Pluckhahn said Days For Girls allowed people to give back in their own unique way.
“We are just one of thousands of branches across the world, but in 2015 during our first distribution we fundraised money ourselves, made the kits and distributed them over there and we immediately knew it was not sustainable for us to do it all,” she said.
“The year after, local organisations stepped in to help fundraise which has been a massive support over the years.
“Tenison’s trip is perfect for us as they are able to distribute the packs and we think this activity helps students learn about important issues which are occurring in the world.”
Ms Fisher said students helped create the kits, threading the ribbon through the bag, cutting corners off the shields and were also involved in the packing day.
“Students worked on the kits during lunchtime but it became hard due to the short amount of time we had,” she said.
“It is pretty amazing the effort the community has showed forming these kits.
“I think students have already put their hands up to become involved in the next packing day which is exciting.”
Departing on Monday, Ms Fisher said the packs will be distributed among an orphanage and a Hatolia school, along with around $10,000 in donations.
With the college’s charity ball being the trip’s major yearly fundraiser, the group also ran two school discos and sold soup and raffle tickets after special Sunday and Saturday masses to raise the funds.
“I think the trip is just life-changing for the kids and the activities open their eyes up to how good they actually have it,” Ms Fisher said.
“They treat you like royalty and I just think the experience is too big to put into words,” she said.
“These people have nothing but just give so much and you just think the little things we give them are insignificant.
“I would like to think the students come out of it wanting to help and become global citizens.”
Ms Fisher and Ms Pluckhahn said the collaboration could become an ongoing relationship in the future.
