TO STAY CONNECTED BETWEEN POSTS FOLLOW ME ON
Instagram @ fortheloveofahouse

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

The KURA Project... for girls

post script added  June 29th from Sarah Hadden:

I would like to thank ALL OF YOU for your generosity of spirit along with donations of funds towards KURA Project "Opportunity Kits" (reusable menstrual pads, underwear and soap) for girls in northern Kenya. 
Because of the response from this blog post enough money has been raised to purchase and deliver 250 kits that will keep 250 girls in school without interruption and allow them to participate in all activities without worry. This kit will also last them a year or more.
We at The KURA Project believe in every woman's right to go through her monthly cycle with dignity and have access to education. 
Thank you in behalf of KURA but more importantly thank you from the girls in northern Kenya who are benefiting from your generosity. 
With Gratitude,
Sarah Hadden
President/Co-founder
The KURA Project 
kuraproject.org

Hello!
I am sorry I haven't posted in a while.  I have been dealing with an issue with my 90-year -old mother for several months now and it has emotionally and creatively drained me.  Hopefully the situation is resolved and she remains safe and healthy in her lovely retirement community.  Something I have found most interesting is in the small group of people that I have mentioned this to, everyone had their own story- either they, or their mother/family member were dealing with an elderly parent/family member and the stress and difficulty of the situation.   The elder attorney, my sisters and I had to hire, even said that it is an isolating topic- that people just don't talk about it with people outside the family.  What I was dealing with was absolutely minimal (it did not involve a health issue) compared to what so many people have to deal with every single day and yet it stopped me in my tracks for several months.  To those of you who deal with an aging parent on an ongoing basis I salute you and honor you.  I hope you reach out to get support and to remember to take care of yourself along the way.   xxoj.


As I've mentioned before, even when I am not posting on the blog (I promise to try to be more frequent;) I can usually be found posting on INSTAGRAM.  Being a very visual person I love IG as a visual diary of our days and lives.  I post only once a day, if that;), and look for special moments that I want to remember or share.  
 Last week I came upon a IG post that a profound impact on me.  Vermont House  posted about their friends, two Vermont women- Sarah Haddan and Barbara Lowes , who started 
to help girls, and their mothers,  that live in extreme poverty in northern Kenya who do not have access to the most basic of sanitary products.  
Many girls are deprived of an education because of the lack of this basic necessity since going to school without any form of menstruation protection subjects them to the shame of staining their clothes.  Very often menstruation caused girls to miss school, drop out altogether and then to be married off at a young age. 
The KURA Project provides "opportunity kits" to each girl/woman which contain 4 reusable menstruation pads, underwear (since many of the girls do not own underwear) and detergent - a kit will last each girl a year or more.  



Please... stop, think and take in the entirety of this situation for one simple moment.  

can. you. even. imagine???????????????

Being one of millions who enjoy the the bountiful excesses of a lovely life in a free country, until I read about this project it never even dawned on me that this is a need for these girls.  I immediately donated several "opportunity kits" and I am hoping that you are so moved that you will donate one yourself!  For a mere $25 your kindness will be giving the gift of personal hygiene to an impoverished girl for one year.  Please join me in donating: 



If you are more comfortable sending a check their address is:

The KURA PROJECT 
P.O. BOX 505
Manchester, VT  05254 USA


Also, please share this post if you can.  What a wonderful gift it would be to have young girls/teenagers see this need and want to help these girls who have so much less than they do too!

thank you. xxojoan




The following is from their website, and there is a YouTube video at the bottom of the page...

After delivering supplies to several of the schools, and receiving letters of thanks for the donations, a common theme appeared. Each letter and sentiment passed on through Kura expressed appreciation for sanitary towels.
Many girls are deprived of an education because of the lack of this basic necessity. Many girls must remain home during this time and risk the danger of being married off for cows at a very young age.
In 2012 The KURA Project began raising money for AFRIpad kits. These reusable sanitary pads last the girls and women up to one year, keep them in school and allow them to go through their monthly cycle with dignity.
Kura informed me in the fall of 2013 most of the girls and women (we supply each mother and daughter a kit) did not own underwear. It is impossible to use the kits as intended without this basic necessity.
Because The KURA Project received a generous donation of 1,000 AFRIpad kits from the Lunapad company we were able to purchase underwear to go along with each kit. To date 2,000 reusable sanitary towel kits and 1,400 pairs of underwear have been delivered to the following schools in the northern Kenya:
Ngurunit, Loiyangalani, Elmolo and Laisamis, Maikona, Kalacha, Dukana, North Horr, Helmer Girls, Bubisa, and Torbi Primary 
Four schools and community members from in and around Manchester, Vermont, have also helped raise the funds to make these deliveries possible.  
Over 30 schools in Marsabit County remain in need and are waiting for a delivery from The KURA Project. 
In January of 2014 we began sponsoring students for high school. Through generous sponsors we currently support four students through four years of high school. We hope to grow this number so as to help as many students as possible reach their dream of getting an education.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” -Nelson Mandela
Sarah Hadden
KURA Project 

To donate, please go ...



40 comments:

  1. I will absolutely send a check, thank you for sharing this. I remember the embarrassment of "leaking". I had a VERY heavy period and wore a tampon AND a maxi pad that I changed every hour. This is a subject I can relate to. Also I have been a caregiver. My Mom lived with us for the last 5 years of her life and was very ill. Some people at the hospital actually thought I worked there:) It was exhausting; mentally and physically but I was younger. I am glad to hear you aren't dealing with a medical issue. Take good care of yourself too. XO, Pinky

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. much older sister susanJune 6, 2017 at 9:01 PM

      Pinky, you are a jewel!

      Delete
    2. Thank you SO much Pinky! I agree with Susan:) xxo

      Delete
  2. A very good cause to get involved with! Another option, for quilters and sewists (who often have huge stashes of beautiful fabric) is www.daysforgirls.org/whats-in-a-kit. There are instructions available on how to create the kits and where to send them. I know that one of our local quilt stores (in San Antonio) participates in this program.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the link bambi! What a wonderful way to use extra fabric for these girls. Hey to SA!!

      Delete
  3. Thank you for sharing the video. I am happy to donate to this cause.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great cause and I would have never thought about something so basic. I'm certainly going to contribute. Thank you for sharing this.
    xo,
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for contributing Karen! I never thought about it either until I saw the IG post, that is exactly why I wanted to share. xxo

      Delete
  5. Dear Joan,

    I'm sending blessings to your mom and contributing to this worthy cause. I'm shocked (and a bit embarrassed) that I never knew these girls would have to endure such a thing. Thank you for sharing.

    Take good care and my love to your "girls"!
    Peg Allegretto

    ReplyDelete
  6. Bless these sweet girls. I am honored to be able to help the cause.
    You are a loving and caring daughter...wishing you and your mom smooth sailing from here on out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for donating Stephanie! I am really not, but thank you for saying that.

      Delete
  7. Agreed that this is something that I've never thought could be a hindrance to education for girls. Such a basic necessity that really can affect someone's life if they don't have the right resources! Thank you for sharing this, I will definitely keep it top of mind when my next opportunity to donate comes around!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is such a good cause and beautiful that people in this world still have great hearts to lend a helpful hand. Love seeing posts like these, shows me that there are doors still opening and good causes to support! Keep up the good work

    ReplyDelete
  9. much older sister susanJune 7, 2017 at 9:21 PM

    I can you imagine having to wash out your kotex pads every single day???????? please!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is a very good cause. Please also keep in mind that feminine hygiene products are something most "food" pantries or homeless shelters in the U.S. would be happy to receive as donations to distribute to those in need.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. While I am sure that is true Andrea, I doubt there is a single female in the U.S. that would the use the same pad for over a year, washing it out every time. These girls don't have the luxury of going to a pantry or a shelter for anything.

      Delete
  11. Joan, I saw your IG post about this a few days ago and have been thinking about it since. How privileged am I to have been able to go to school and college without even thinking twice about these basic necessities!? About your mother, glad she is well now. We went through years of difficulties with my grandmother before she passed. My entire life, I do not remember her being able to be completely still. She got Parkinson's Disease when she was in her 50s.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I felt the same way Miranda about being so privileged to not have to think about basic necessities. Your poor grandmother. My mother's father had Parkinson's also.

      Delete
  12. Sweet Joan - thought of you today as I ordered my Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Soap for my sticky, icky plant.
    Love this project and will love donating - be well
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you my friend! How are you?! You owe me an update email on living in California!! xxoj.

      Delete
  13. I'm so sorry for your difficulties with your mom. As an only child, I was the sole person taking care of my mom for 12 years. Moved her out to Dallas to be near me- she had Alzheimer's. First in an assisted living facility, then years later after she ran out of money, in a nursing home. She died a couple of years ago at 91. It was a very difficult 12 years.
    Thank you for bringing attention to the plight of girls in Africa. My daughter and I went to Zambia in 2007 to serve through Family Legacy Missions. What a wonderful experience it was. I will send a donation to the KURA project!
    I mentioned on your IG post recently- I need some help in planning a trip to the New England states to see the fall leaves! My husband and I live in Dallas and will fly into Boston and rent a car and drive the rest of the way. Do you have suggestions you could email me? Towns to go to- places to stay, etc... We will be gone about 10 days. I've never done anything like this before, so would love your help! Thinking we will leave Dallas around October 6- return around the 16th. Thank you Joan! Love your blog and IG posts! Especially Ella, Louise and Magnolia! Thanks for your help!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your donation Jan!! And, I am sorry for the difficult 12 years and the loss of your mother.
      I get asked about fall trips to New England quite often and I really should do a post on suggestions and open it up for others to reply to. Let me work on that idea! Please send me an email at fortheloveofahous@comcast.net and I will send you the info once I do a post!

      Delete
  14. Has anyone adopted sweet Prentiss ?
    Please keep us posted on her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just emailed Alice to ask, I will let you know! Are you interested in her?!! She is so sweet and gentle and looks like such a love bug!

      Delete
    2. No, I cannot take her but I'm praying a good and lovely home
      awaits her. Please keep us up dated.

      Delete
  15. I have followed you blog for several years now..LOVE your design aesthetic. Recently I started clicking on your 'instagram' snaps also. Well they appear as links on 'snap widget' - and let me tell you...YIKES. Your instagram photos on Snap Widget are on a LONG page for female escorts - Asian, Croatian, Russian - very explicit photos of lovely young ladies - that you can click on the link and see more possible escorts for your enjoyment. Dang. How is that happening?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi! I clicked on my snap widget from the computer and my phone and I do see some adds but they are all house-related and items and sites that I have recently clicked on from the computer. Unfortunately I have no control over what anyone else sees on the page- everyone sees different adds- generally (but I'm sure NOT in this case) based on what google tracks in that particular computer's searches. Sorry to not be of more help, and sorry that is what you are seeing, perhaps you can google it to find more info. Thank you, I greatly appreciate you following for so many years!

      Delete
  16. Hello, I'm the editor of a NH based magazine and interested in speaking to you about a story, but for the life of me can't find a contact link. my name is James Buchanan and my email is editor@aroundconcord.com.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi James! My email is fortheloveofahouse@comcast.net
      Look forward to chatting with you.

      Delete
  17. I would like to thank ALL OF YOU for your generosity of spirit along with donations of funds towards KURA Project "Opportunity Kits" (reusable menstrual pads, underwear and soap) for girls in northern Kenya.
    Because of the response from this blog post enough money has been raised to purchase and deliver 250 kits that will keep 250 girls in school without interruption and allow them to participate in all activities without worry. This kit will also last them a year or more.
    We at The KURA Project believe in every woman's right to go through her monthly cycle with dignity and have access to education.
    Thank you in behalf of KURA but more importantly thank you from the girls in northern Kenya who are benefiting from your generosity.
    With Gratitude,
    Sarah Hadden
    President/Co-founder
    The KURA Project
    kuraproject.org

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you for posting this

    ReplyDelete
  19. Good morning!! Love your home.....I have been searching your site for a post from a while back. You had a large wooden sign "Twas the Night Before Christmas" on your mantle. It had adorable little mice with it. I ordered one and I love it but I need another as a gift. Mine is packed away for the holidays so i was hoping you could help with the with the site you ordered it from. I have gone back so far on your blog but just cant find it!!! Hope you can help! Just love following your blog.
    jayne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi Jayne, I've never displayed a sign in my house, but it sounds like something "Dear Lillie" would sell? You can find her blog on my sidebar at the bottom. Good luck.

      Delete

Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive and read it. joan