Reusable sanitary towels
Two members of the Relief Society of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Springs donated bags full of washable sanitary towels to SpringsCare on Wednesday.
Hetta Saccaggi, from the Relief Society, says some of the towels were made by women from Springs, KwaThema, Etwatwa, Tsakane, Daveyton, Benoni, Rynfield and Boksburg, while more towels were received from members of their church in the United States of America who had heard about their project.
SpringsCare discovered the need for washable sanitary towels for schoolgirls in 2014 and called in the help of the Relief Society, a women’s organisation within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Hetta says SpringsCare explained that there is a big need in the area for washable sanitary towels for primary and high school girls.
“Many of the girls in our area miss a number of days of school every month, simply because they cannot leave the house without sanitary towels.
“Sanitary towels are expensive, and these families hardly have money for food, let alone the money to purchase sanitary wear,” she says.
Women from the Relief Society were called to start making washable sanitary towels.
Looking for patterns, the women browsed the internet, where they discovered three different patterns, and soon the sewing started.
Some women who assisted with the sewing of the towels had no idea how to sew or didn’t own sewing machines.
“We taught them how to make the towels, and where machines were not available, the towels were made by hand,” says Hetta.
Different types of material were used, from old sheeting to clothing that had become too small.
The project organisers were very pleased that some of the women decided to make towels for their own use, and for the use of their daughters.
The project soon became a skills development project where women started making and selling the towels.
Most of the towels received were packed into hygiene packs, consisting of 10 towels, two pairs of panties, a small bar of soap, and washing instructions.
“We are told that these washable towels will last each recipient up to five years,” says Hetta.
Juanita de Cunha from SpringsCare says the towels will be distributed soon.
“The girls who receive these washable towels will be able to attend school every day of the month, and should therefore be better able to cope with tests and exams,” she adds.
