We Need Your Help: Reusable Pads for Central American Communities

Sylvia’s Sisters is expanding our international outreach! We are partnering with Extra Mile Pediatrics, an incredible Richmond-based organization that provides repeated pediatric care in Central America, to provide reusable menstrual products to communities that need them.

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Just $10 provides a full year’s supply of pads to a girl in need.

Create your own Facebook fundraiser for our cause here.

The Problem

Extra Mile Pediatrics noticed that menstrual healthcare was lacking in the communities in El Salvador and Guatemala that they serve; for example, at least one teen patient couldn’t attend her medical appointment because she was menstruating and didn’t have period products.

In fact, in the El Salvadorian communities:

• 62% report getting no menstrual health education
• 72% report having trouble accessing products at least sometimes.  63% report as always having trouble.
• 74% say they’ve used other materials like a sock or paper towel
• 47% report missing school/work/other obligations, and 63% of those report missing at least 3 days/month

The Solution

Sylvia’s Sisters has extensive experience providing reusable pads to international communities in need, thanks to our work over the last 10 years in Uganda. We sent some reusable pads & underwear with Extra Mile Pediatrics in January as a pilot program. The products were very well received!

Sylvia’s Sisters and Extra Mile Pediatrics have assembled a team of experienced seamstresses in Virginia to sew reusable pad kits for these Central American communities. Our intention is, not only to provide necessary products for menstruators to live their normal lives, but also to teach seamstresses in these communities how to make the products by next year so they have access locally.

What We Need

The fabrics to create these pads are anti-microbial and must be ordered from specialty shops (read: expensive). It is imperative to have these materials to prevent infection, especially in humid climates.

Goals

• Provide over 1000 pads over the course of 3 trips to these Central American communities
• Provide a wet bag to each menstruator to store their soiled pads

We need to raise $2000 to make this possible. This is where you come in! Please consider donating to our project. Even $10 will provide a full-year’s supply of pads to a girl in need.

We also need experienced sewers who can help us make the pads, and other volunteers to help us cut the pad patterns. Please email information@sylviassisters.org if you are able to help!