Let's keep girls in school

Do you remember that cute little pink energizer bunny that worked and worked and worked and worked?  Today there is now competition for the description of him as the best “energizer.”  Meet the sewing group from St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Lebanon, PA!! They work so hard at their new project that there is steam rising from their sewing machines!

This group happily tends to the task of making hygiene liners for girls in Africa who must cease their education due to their growth into womanhood.  How can women become more empowered if they are not able to continue their studies just because there is no way for them to remain clean in the school setting during their menstrual cycle?  

Hurrah for Tanya Weaver and her staff and volunteers who have come to the front to discover a safe way to solve the problem.  Among her many other responsibilities, Tanya has recruited women to sew personal shields and padded liners for as many African girls.

At least two members of the St. Andrews sewing group have personal ties with that continent:  One has a cousin who spent many years as a missionary; the second one’s sister taught French in an all boys’ school for two years under a program similar to the Peace Corps. With these two women’s enthusiasm, the rest of the women in the group enthusiastically jumped at the opportunity to help. They eagerly joined Tanya’s team of caring volunteers to put together as many liners as they possibly can.  

The St. Andrews sewing group is more than happy to be a part of American Foundation for Children with AIDS. They feel that although they are just a small part of the organization and know they cannot solve all the problems, they can contribute a small amount of support from their own little corner of the world.