Our last update was the “Kit pick up for Chad and Nicaragua Projects and a slight change of plans”
I enjoyed seeing the partnership with DfGI and Global Links blossom in the last couple of years (Our work for Nicaragua with Global Links last year has had a positive response) as both organizations are near and dear to my heart. All of the kits were delivered to Global Links on June 15th.
If you remember last year we had to pivot our original plans because of the storms and this year we have had to pivot our plans because of political unrest in Nicaragua. Instead of sending multiple containers to Nicaragua, Global links will be sending one container. The good news is that 1,500 kits will go to Nicaragua and 1,600 kits will be going to Bolivia. We are thrilled! Bolivia is a place we were hoping to get kits in the future, but it worked out to get them there soon. Global Links and DfGI have worked together to make sure that there is someone in Bolivia to provide the educational component that we all know is vital.
We have completed 2,400 kits (two pallets) for the Chad Humanitarian Response Project! These kits were picked up from us on June 22nd and began their journey to the girls who need them. Thanks to the Third Church staff for coordinating that effort!
If you missed previous articles these are links for the Early posts about Chad and Nicaragua and the previous Chad and Nicaragua Up-date. Here is the link for the May 2021 update. Here is the link for the June 2021 Update.
Here are ways anyone can help us:
Make a monetary donation to The Pittsburgh Chapter or to Days for Girls International or purchase needed materials from amazon wish list or a JoAnn Fabric Gift Card, and arrange for a safe drop off. Wish list items can be shipped directly to Third Church. You can contact the Pittsburgh Chapter by emailing pittsburgh@daysforgirls.org too. Our biggest need is women’s underwear.
Like the Pittsburgh Chapter Facebook page to see updates on the projects.
Here is a little shop talk for Days for Girls Teams and Chapters:
Daisies, you have been so generous! Thank you!!! The Pittsburgh Chapter will take late donations and whatever is not used for Chad, Nicaragua, and Bolivia will be stored to use for the next group project. We have 1,000 kits ready to go and many components still being processed. Please give us a little time to get our room reorganized before sending more items our way. We hope to be able to store the items we have already received and still have space to sew and host groups in the fall (or when it is safe to have larger groups together).
We can safely have 15 people in the DFG room at church so our leadership and volunteers from other local DFG teams have been working in shifts to pack up the kits and get organized. We fostered these relationships over zoom meetings over the last year and a half. It is wonderful to see our friends in person over the last month (Pittsburgh North, Oakdale, Valencia, Murrysville, and Grove City). All DfG chapters and teams are welcome to join us on zoom, the link can be found on our facebook page.
Volunteering with the Pittsburgh Chapter at Third Church:
All volunteers must be vaccinated.
We are in the process of checking components and making repairs so we will not be teaching sewing.
Because of our limited capacity (and limited table space) we are not taking groups. You can set up a time to come as an individual by emailing us at pittsburgh@daysforgirls.org
There is lots of packing still to do. We estimate that we have about 2,000 kits worth of components.
We are trying to make connections with local organizations to distribute some of these bonus kits in the Pittsburgh area. If you have a connection please let us know.
Period Pastor Pad 