Our Last Post - Thank You

I have truly put off writing this post for a long time. Partly because it saddens me that we are closing the chapter but also because I fear greatly that if I try to thank people individually I will surely miss out someone because there have been so many to thank over the past three years.

Back in early 2016 Celeste Mergens inspired me when I had the opportunity to attend the Days for Girls Ambassador for Womens Health training in Bangladesh. Initially I had thought I could sew some shields and send them off to another team. But after hearing Celeste talk and chatting with the lovely Barbara Mitchell from the Australian Emu Plains Chapter who was in Bangladesh at the time I knew there was something more that myself and a few friends could do back in Muscat. I never dreamed at the time that it would result in well over 3500 shields, 14,000 liners, and 1750 bags. 

We had our first volunteer morning on April 17th 2016. I wasn't even sure if anyone would come, but come they did. These amazing women from all over Muscat, such different backgrounds, languages, cultures but all with one thing in common ... big hearts. We have had such wonderful laughs and established lifelong friendships simply through the act of giving a little of our time to help others. Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers it has been an honour to serve with you. And thank you to all volunteer Uni mules too, your empty bags have been our saving grace. 

I do want to specifically thank two wonderful ladies Niti Hamlai and Radhika Hamlai who opened the doors of the Bahja Hall (and occasionally when needed The Jungle Restaurant) for us complimentary and their team who always looked after us. Without this space there is no way we could have achieved what we did.

Over the years we have many school groups involved, lots of people who have baked and made goods to sell to raise funds to buy fabric. Not to mention the occasional baked treats at meet ups too! 

We have had companies around Muscat step forward and pay for our shipping, air fares etc all so that we get these kits to girls and women in need and deliver much needed health education at the same time. 

While initially it was my hope that the DFG chapter would be making and supplying girls and women in Muscat it didn't eventuate for many reasons. I still hope that in the future someone else will start DFG or something similar to meet the growing needs in Oman. 

How can I possibly sign off for the last time without thanking Nalini Subramamian. I have often very honestly told many of you that without Nalini there is no possible way we could achieved what we did. I have been humbled to work alongside this amazing women who gives and gives and gives.  From day one when we met she has been a constant driving force in getting things done. I feel so blessed to have met her through this project and I feel blessed knowing that she will remain a lifelong and very cherished friend. Thank you Nalini! 

So that is it folks. To everyone that has anything to do with DFGM over the past three years I thank you from the bottom of my heart, you have ALL made a difference to so many women. So go grab a coffee or a cuppa tea , sit back and enjoy 15 minutes of DFGM memories vis the link below. If you know a past volunteer who has since left Oman please can you forward them this link too.  These pictures made me smile and even cry ... thank you and good luck. 

THE DFGM JOURNEY

Thanks for stopping by ... 

Our Three Final Distributions - India, Lebanon and Yemen

After the summer we did some sorting and repacking to get the final kits ready for distribution.  Thank you to Ratna and Nalini for pulling us over the line on this task. 

500 kits were sent to Lebanon Days for Girls as part of the global DFG Refugee project. These will be distributed in the same area they that we visited in 2017. 

100 kits are being sent to Yemen thanks to the support of Apergy Middle East. (see previous blog post for details). We are also sending the remaining soaps. 

125 kits have been shipped to Kolkata Days for Girls for an upcoming distribution. 

Our die cutter, templates and some equipment and materials  will be shipped to the Lebanon Days for Girls Enterprise to assist with their enormous task of meeting the needs of the women in the settlement / refugee camps.  

Some PUL and materials will shipped to an organisation in UAE, Angel Wings, that our previous volunteer Nafisa is now associated with and doing great work! 

Machines have been sold and the money put into the DFGM fund. 

Any remaining money that we raised is being transferred directly into a few different Days for Girls Enterprises via DFG official accounts to help the women who are supporting themselves and their local communities. 

Ladies, together we have now made and delivered over 1750 kits.  We have a few remaining kits here in Oman that were compiled after the kits had been pack and sent. Over time we have had some ladies ask if they can buy a kit and we have followed the official DFG line and said, sadly, no. However if you are interested in purchasing a kit for 5 rial, please contact us. We will trust that you are going to pass on the health and hygiene information related to the use and care of the kit. Any funds raised will be deposited to DFG. 

It is not possible to thank everyone for all that they have done over the past few years, you are all my heros and I love you with all my heart. Such amazing women, with huge hearts ... Thank You! 

Partnership with Apergy - Yemen Distribution

Last week we had the pleasure of joining the Apergy Middle East / Asia Pacific team for a few hours to share information about Days for Girls and assist their team of 40 in packing 200 kits.  Apergy has worked with DFG in the United States previously and wanted to share the DFG message here and arrange for kits to be sent to Yemen. 

I am very grateful to Fouad Eid (VP EMEA) who instigated this collaboration and arranged for the components from DFG HQ to be shipped to Oman for this event. 

In addition to the 200 kits from the US we added 100 HF kits that our team had made prior to the summer break and subsequent close of DFG Muscat. 


At their leadership seminar we were able to share the wonderful work or DFG and our team and then join the Apergy staff in packing the kits. They were separated into teams, a little bit of competitiveness in the air to say the least, and then BAM off they went to work out the best and most efficient way to pack. Helen, Sharon, Ratna, Jane and I were all assigned one team and we stood back and let them do it their way ;-) 

Apergy have partnered with Oman Charitable Organisation to deliver the 300 kits through to Yemen. 

Thank you to WGO (Womens Guild Oman) who enabled us to finish our last kits before the summer, we appreciate your support. 

And a HUGE thank you to all of our volunteers, together we made great things happen. 

News from DFG HQ - A new Hybrid Kit for some domestic distribution

Please find below a excerpt from the Days for Girls Newsletter this month.

There are lots of exciting changes on the horizon for 2019 with Days for Girls International.

Announcing: DfG Hybrid Kit

Days for Girls is working to reach Every Girl. Everywhere. Period. Did you know that many of the girls and women that lack access to supplies live in your area? For example, in the USA, nearly 20% of girls have left school early or missed school entirely when menstruating because they did not have access to period products, according to a recent Always Confidence and Puberty study. To see the rest of the article click HERE. Many of our Days for Girls Chapters and Teams find that this is an exciting project they can take on - making a huge difference in their local community! Local distributions happen effectively across many demographics, including: homeless women, refugees, shelters, low income schools, prisons, First Nations, girls in foster care, and others. Days for Girls has found that some of the women we serve, or those that work with them, may at first look at washable products as the “Poor Girl’s Choice.” There are, however, many benefits to using washable products: they are good for the environment, budget friendly, free from harmful chemicals, and are a solution that a girl can count on having month after month, regardless of her circumstances. Rather than the “Poor Girls Choice”, Days for Girls presents washable products as the "Smart Girls Choice." We have found that the key to local distributions is honoring the fact that women like to be given choices. We want to help her find what will work best for her. Because choices are important, we present you with the DfG Hybrid Kit! Please Note: Days for Girls Chapters and Teams always distribute Supreme DfG Kits when sending DfG Kits for distribution to other countries. For local distributions in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK & USA only, Days for Girls recommends distributing a DfG Hybrid Kit. The DfG Hybrid Kit:

The Tanzania distribution part 3

Today (Wednesday 9th) was a travel day for us. Just under 12 hours going bumpity bump bump in the jeep. We arrived in Mambo just before sunset and settled in for a good rest ready for two distributions tomorrow. What I loved seeing was the simple things in life being enjoyed by the children. They were not distracted by "stuff" and were very resourceful in making their own toys and fun.

Distribution #3 Tema village, Tanzania. On Friday morning we visited Tema and met with the TBA (Traditional Birthing Attendants) Women, the nurse and the doctor at the dispensary. They were very keen to learn more with women's health and LOVED the kits. It touched us all how much they appreciated them. And the kids ... oh the sweet kids.

Distribution #4 Mambo Village. After a quick lunch we were back in the Jeep and down the road to Mambo Village football field for a community gathering and distribution to the Women's Group of the village. They welcomed us with singing and dancing that went on for hours, yes hours, we were exhausted yet filled with so much love at the same time. The kids truly melt your heart and ladies were so sweet. These women, when we finally dragged them away from the dancing for a sit down, were enthusiastic and grateful. These kits meant so much to them. We also handed over some school supplies to the community leader for the school kindly donated by Jane, Lise and Helen and our Oman Chapter. To see these ladies holding up the kits and singing with joy ... I couldn't hold back the tears. I saw all the hard work that everyone has put into this project in the smiles on their faces. Thank you to everyone, you are amazing ladies !