Letter of Appreciation
May 17, 2017
Rotary Club of Edmonton Strathcona
C/O Rick Harcourt
Dear Strathcona Club members,
On behalf of the 155 school girls, the 30 residents of the Treatment Centre, the 15 new mothers at the Health Unit and the Days for Girls Chapter in Calgary, I thank you for your $800.00 donation to offset the shortfall for washable menstrual kits for Alexander First Nation in Morinville.
Days for Girls, an international volunteer organization with over 960 chapters around the world, is focused on keeping girls in school by providing high quality, washable feminine hygiene kits. These kits are paired with women’s health and reproduction education to ensure that girls and women have accurate information for making life decisions. Alexander invited us to distribute kits to their girls because many were dropping out of school.
Since menstruation is a delicate subject, we work with local women to ensure that our activities are culturally appropriate. In the case of Alexander First Nations, we have taken training from their Cultural Advisor to ensure that we respect traditions, wording, ceremonies, and gifts. Our chapter feels that this distribution opens a door to our First Nations’ sisters and hope that it leads to other opportunities with northern communities.
You have helped us with your donation but even more important is the opportunity to work with Strathcona on other projects in the future. This letter is an open invitation for Strathcona members to join us as we increase our presence in NWT and northern Alberta through kit distributions and micro enterprises.
Thanks again,
Katharine Bondy
Partnerships and Fundraising Coordinator
Calgary Chapter, Days for Girls
Days for Girls Calgary Chapter ∙ Every Girl. Everywhere. Period.
www.facebook.com/DaysForGirlsCalgaryAB
Days for Girls Kit Contents
Here are the contents of a Days for Girls bag:
8 liners
2 shields
2 panties
2 large zip loc bags
1 washcloth
1 bar of soap
1 large drawstring bag to hold all of the items
The kit lasts for 3 years. Days for Girls will provide education to a nurse or elder who will act as the contact on the ground for the education and training on how to use the kits and how to understand menstruation. Depending on the number that could be used, we require lead time to make them. The timing can be discussed when we have an indication of the interest and need. You can contact me at 403 242 2421 or Katharine@westernleadership.com