Putting it All Together

This past week it was time to put practice to the test.

The women and girls were thrilled to finally sew their first ever reusable sanitary pads!

They finally saw the practice drills we’d been running through make sense.

Langbaar Modern Academy continues to be our host for the PESS Pad Production Sewing Program. The classroom we typically use is transformed in to a sewing room for the pupils with stations set up in each corner: One area to learn how to apply the snaps with the snap tool, another area to get comfortable using sharp heavy fabric scissors and cut fabric (our ‘practice’ fabric before we cut in to the expensive material brought from the U.S.). And the sewing machines in the middle whirring away!

As frustrated as they once were the women and girls are now elated to finally start putting it all together! They finally finished their first pads and are proud of their work!

At the end of training on Saturday… one sewing student from Pagook, Ayen Gai , stood up and gave a five minute speech (without notes) about how grateful she is for the pad production program. “We no longer have to feel ashamed when we ride a bota bota (motorcycles used for public transportation). I don’t have to throw way our underwear. I will now just add to my collection!”

She was also overwhelmed with gratitude to the PESS implementation team. “David Majur, Rebecca Diing Mau, Daniel Gai and thank you to Tamara Banks for coming from the U.S. to bring this program to us. It will change our lives.”

Next weekend the women and girls will graduate but not before more practice time on the new machines.

-Tamara