Sew perfect. . . . no it’s not misspelled

Last summer I received a Facebook message from a friend from my days at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Timonium, Maryland. Susie Necker and I had been former choir members and our children had grown up together in Springdale. Now she lives in South Carolina and I’m in Florida.

Our daughters reconnected us on Facebook and Susie was curious about my work in Ghana after seeing photos. We agreed to talk when I returned.

Susie run the group you see in the photo above. This group was formed to begin sewing reusable sanitary pads for teens and women in Africa who do not have the money to purchase sanitary pads. Girls will skip school during that time of the month.

This project fascinated me. I am all about giving girls what they need to go to school. She told me they also make pillowcase dresses and boys shorts. Well now I was really interested. I agreed to come meet with the ladies in February.

What a energetic group of ladies and some men who together once a month to create items for use in Africa. Many sew at home during the month. They have a regular assembly line going.

When I arrived everyone was busy. Ten or twelve sewing machines are going at the same time. Material, notions, sewing machines, have all been donated to the group. The storage area of materials was like a small garage.

I left with 152 pillowcase dresses,

140 pair of boys shorts,

and over 800 sanitary pads packaged in beautiful bags with a sewing kit, wash cloth, panties, and a zip lock bag. Some of the panties were a little large and the women really laughed. Three different villages have benefitted from these donations. Ladies, I am so grateful for you.

There are other sewers to thank as well. The Redeemer Quilters of Southern Maryland have made several hundred blankets for us as well. Dedicated women, coming together to help those in need by using their talents.

The photo below is of one family who has 11 children including four sets of twins. They were given blankets for the children.

As my time this year in Ghana comes to a close, I thank everyone who has helped Ghanaian Mothers’ Hope make a difference one village at a time. Your kindness will  empower the future leaders of Africa.