News Release

Many Organizations, Including LDS Charities, Joined Forces to Create Feminine Hygiene Kits 

 

LDS Charities, in collaboration with Enactus College in Mumbai and Impact India, an NGO also in Mumbai, and an American group, Chahal Foundation have donated sewing machines, ancillary equipment, needed cloth and organizational skills to a women’s center in the village of Wada located in the state of Maharashtra. Wada village, located 80 kilometers northeast of Mumbai, has a population of approximately 180,000 inhabitants.

The LDSC donated sewing machines and ancillary equipment will be used in the fabrication of feminine hygiene as part of a world-wide initiative named Days For Girls (DFG). These kits, non-disposable and manufactured for long years of use, will help do two things: provide sustainable work and income for lower-income women and provide training and kits to young women who may not otherwise have access to feminine pads.

This enterprise and dream is largely the result of hard work of two wonderful young women from Enactus College, Sheetal and Prerna. These two young women have “provided the passion, skill, inspiration and training to the women of Wada,” said Wendy Keeler of Mumbai who has faithfully served as the link between LDS Charities, Enactus and Impact India. Sister Keeler is a member of the Mumbai branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where her husband currently serves as Branch President.

The goal is to make the women’s center in Wada into a DFG micro-enterprise and distribution center for outlets all over the northern portion of Maharashtra State.

“We are planning on making 100 kits per month by the end of 2018,” said Sheetal of Enactus College.

The origins of this project can be attributed to a group of ex-patriot women living in Powai, an area of Mumbai, who have been actively working for several years. Their ground-breaking work and dedicated service cannot be understated and the blessings that will come into even more lives is very real with a subject that is rarely discussed.

Prerna, also of Enactus, said, “Spreading awareness about these kits is helping educate people and helping lower-income women help provide for their families. We’ve started something and we are so happy."

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.