Gabi Doleske, Sault College language and communication professor, shared her passion for helping women in developing countries with the Sault College board of governors at its regular meeting Thursday.
Doleske is involved with Days for Girls, a government recognized charitable organization, leading the Sault Ste. Marie Days for Girls team with Gayle Manley (one of over 1,000 teams throughout the world).
The group sews and distributes washable, reusable feminine hygiene kits for girls and women, locally and internationally.
Doleske visited Sault College’s two partner schools in Tanzania in 2018, overseeing production of menstrual care kits made up of shields, pockets and a carrying bag, teaching 48 Tanzanian women how to sew the kits.
“This is not just a women’s issue.This is ‘an everybody issue.’ This is life,” Doleske told the board.
“These are life changing for women,” Doleske said, displaying feminine hygiene kits for girls and women for board members Thursday.
“In developing nations, women don’t have these supplies, or they can’t afford them if they are in a store. These are washable, reusable,” Doleske said.
The kits are designed to give women in developing countries the freedom to go to school, work and maintain an active lifestyle while using the hygenic products they need.
Doleske has been involved in the program since 2014.
“Though the kits are a 'hand-out', Days for Girls (DFG) kits are acknowledged globally as a 'hands-up'. Days for Girls International also advocates and supports the establishment of self-sustaining DFG enterprises in developing nations so women can learn a skill and earn an income,” Doleske told SooToday.
Materials to make the kits are funded by donations, kits produced by volunteers.
The Sault’s DFG group has produced and distributed 3,400 kits, each kit taking approximately three-and-a-half hours to make.
Local kits cost approximately $9 to make, $12 to $15 internationally.
“We have an energetic team and a giving community,” Doleske said.
After holding a few production days at Sault College with the support of the school’s community, Doleske and her group have moved to monthly kit production days at Zion Lutheran Church at 189 Upton Rd. (meeting seven or eight times a year).
Volunteers who help out include retirees, members from several churches, agencies, organizations and Sault College students (this month, the Algoma University community will be joining).
Saturday, Feb. 23 marks the next Days for Girls production day at Zion Lutheran Church.
The church hall will be set up at 8:30 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch at 12:30 p.m., then a presentation regarding a recent distribution of kits in India.