Skipping School is the ONLY Option
If you’re anything like me, talking about difficult things with a pen and paper has always been easier than saying it out loud. Whether I’m upset with someone that has hurt or offended me in some way, or I’m unhappy about a product/service or am emotionally in need of venting, I’ll gladly snap out an email or letter defending myself, pointing out why I’m upset or just jot notes in a diary.
Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t that I don’t like talking to people because I do. I’m a very social person. I can easily share my opinions and have a conversation with just about anyone from my closest friends to total strangers. I’m not shy like that. But there are some things that I just don’t feel comfortable talking about… to anyone… out loud. Things like (shhh) s-e-x send me blushing every single time. Same holds true for personal things. I think the closest I’ve come to discussing anything related to feminine hygiene products with anyone is when I asked the gym personnel if they could install a machine in the locker room. (Apparently I’m approachable enough that whenever anyone didn’t have a tampon, they would ask if I had one in my bag… and that got kind of old so I sucked it up and put in a request for a machine to be installed!)
Honestly, even on paper… or a blog… I have trouble discussing things like that. And I’m 41. While we might quietly joke that during our periods, we would love to just curl up at home and not be bothered, it’s not realistic. I remember how difficult it was as a young girl and teenager. As a teenager, I would have been perfectly happy staying home from school because I spent most of the first day in the nurse’s office anyhow. That’s not how things were though. We were expected to be at school. Period. (No pun intended.) But can you imagine living in an area where resources in general are an issue? Not me. For many young women in developing countries, what they do when their period starts is non-negotiable. They have to stay home because sanitary protection isn’t readily available or they can’t afford it. If you’re a career woman, would you be where you are today if you missed a quarter of all your schooling – one week every 28 days – because of a natural part of life? Probably not.
When I saw Mom Central post a blog campaign for o.b. Share it Forward promoting Huru International and their Huru Kits project, I decided that some things are worth sharing – even if it seems a little embarrassing. I guess for me, some things are easier to share when I’m not actually saying it out loud. In this case, I’m simply posting a link for my friends on Facebook and Twitter, along with you – my loyal readers – about a program to help young girls in need. Now through November, the o.b. Brand will donate $1 (up to $25,000) for every person who visits the o.b. Outreach Tab on the mighty. small.™ movement Facebook page and “Shares” a message about Huru International’s mission. As of today, they’re a long way from that goal.
I’m sure you have questions. What exactly is Huru Kit? Well, it’s a drawstring bag that doubles as a backpack, and includes eight reusable sanitary pads, three pairs of underwear, detergent-grade soap to wash the sanitary pads, a re-sealable, waterproof bag to safely store used sanitary pads, educational insert focused on proper Huru® pad care and usage, and life-saving HIV/AIDS prevention information. All provided to at-risk girls at no cost. What does it cost you to help out? The cost is simple.. the time and effort it takes to do the following steps:
That’s it.
I did my part to share the word and assist these young girls and it didn’t cost me a thing. But even more important, I realize, in hindsight, that what I experienced when I was in school was trivial. Unlike millions of young girls today, my period didn’t cause me to miss much school and I was able to receive an excellent education. Hopefully, the effort by o.b. to Share it Forward will aid young girls in achieving two things we take for granted: personal comfort and an uninterrupted education.
Have you done your part to help?
Done deal. What an awesome thing for OB to do. I remember how difficult that time in my life was but it was nothing compared to these young women. Happy to do my part and help.
Awesome resource for these girls, Thanks for letting me know so I could be a part of it.