Wednesday 1st April 2020


 International Chapters & Teams Newsletter
March 2020

Dear International Chapter and Team Leaders,

We hope you and your families are safe and well during these challenging times internationally. You have all been in our thoughts.

As we continue to navigate the unprecedented circumstances COVID-19 presents us, now more than ever, strength in our community and supporting each other is vital. All over the world, we are seeing DfG volunteers and leaders stepping up and responding in incredible ways. As always, we are touched and humbled by all you are doing to help lift and serve so many. As no two situations, cities, or countries are the same, we are grateful you are finding ways to meet unique needs in your communities. This month's newsletter is dedicated to highlighting these efforts and providing inspiration for what we can achieve, even from our own living rooms! 
Stay safe and well,

Leyla Isin-Xiong
International Chapters Director
Days for Girls International
Chapters and Teams Meeting Local Needs During COVID-19

As disposable period products have become more scarce, Chapters and Teams have been letting their networks know that they have washable DfG PODs or Kits available and that their donations are welcome. Amazing work! Interested in doing this too? You may consider providing this tag. Please maintain social distancing, and encourage donations via a bank transfer or via your DfG Classy donation page (for USA).
 

Many Chapters and Teams have also been working with local shelters, food banks, or charities who need menstrual products. Interested in doing this too? Please call to confirm their needs and work to meet them. They may need pads, tampons, menstrual cups, our DfG Hybrid Kits, or a combination of different products.


Note: This does not necessarily mean going to the store to buy menstrual products. If you have a stockpile of DfG supplies or other menstrual products, consider donating these while observing local advice for travel and movement. While education is typically a key component of our distributions, our volunteers' health is critical. As such, please just drop off donations and include the DfG Trifold available in the Chapter and Team Leadership Room or the new tag that explains how to care for it HERE. You can then explain to the local institution how to use Kits via email or phone.

Thank you for your amazing efforts stepping up to meet the needs of menstruators in your communities during COVID-19. We know that periods don’t pause for pandemics and together we will continue to support each other and our communities!
Offices and Enterprises COVID-19 Response
Days for Girls Offices and Enterprises are at the forefront of continuing to meet the menstrual health needs of their communities. They have reported an increasing number of people turning to washables as a sustainable solution during this time of uncertainty. Below is a snapshot of their incredible efforts!
DfG Uganda developed a short film about how to manage menstruation during a pandemic. The Public Affairs Department in the US Embassy in Uganda is sharing this widely on all its platforms. CLICK the photo to watch the video.
DfG Offices and Enterprises are sharing and distributing the below poster and have partnered with many international and local organizations to share this as far and wide as possible (another pictorial focused version is also on the way!). Please help us in this effort by sharing these posters with your networks and connections locally and internationally. These will also be available in French and Spanish.

Chipo Chikomo, a DfG Zimbabwe Enterprise Leader, is working in partnership with UNICEF to supply DfG Kits and face masks for UNICEFs COVID-19 programming.

DfG Guatemala, DfG Ghana, DfG Nepal, and DfG Lebanon are meeting the need for face masks in their communities and promoting handwashing while continuing to offer and emphasize washable menstrual products.

Masks 4 Millions Response
*This section is not applicable to Australia Chapters and Teams. Please click HERE to read a letter from DfG Australia addressing the Australia context.

This month, DfG launched the Masks4Millions Response. This response is addressing the shortage of face masks in many countries during COVID-19. Click HERE to read our FAQs.

Thank you to the 3000 volunteers including many Chapters and Teams who are currently making a difference from their own homes! The response has been incredible!

This response is for emergency situations. There are countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, where there is no shortage at present. Cloth masks are not the optimal solution and all medical and immune-compromised people should be prioritized to receive an N-95 supply. Unfortunately, in many countries, including the US, many hospitals and other medical facilities are low on or completely out of masks. Many are also able to put cloth masks over N-95 masks to extend their lifespan.

Are you sewing masksPlease make sure you sign up HERE. As this is a rapidly evolving situation, make sure to regularly check your email for updates. Also, please work directly with hospitals, institutions, and those requesting masks to meet their specific needs. We have had hospitals provide exact patterns they need and some even provide the specific fabric they would like. Once you finish, take a photo and tag us at @daysforgirls using the hashtags #masks4millions and #padstomasks.

Each day we continue to receive an increasing number of requests from hospitals, medical professionals, and immunocompromised individuals as the COVID-19 situation intensifies in many countries. Do you know an institution that needs masks? They can request them HERE.

Thank you for all your efforts!
In the News
Chapter and Team Renewal
On March 10, 2020, Chapters and Teams were emailed their 2020 Renewal Form. In acknowledgment of the impact of COVID-19, we will be extending the Renewal form due date. Your Renewal Form is now due by May 10, 2020. The renewal form was sent to your DfG email account. (Need help getting logged in to your account? No problem! Email chapters@daysforgirls.org for help or to have your password reset.) 

Monthly Impact Report
Thanks to everyone who turned in your Monthly Impact Report for February! Reports are due by the 15th of each month. The Monthly Impact Report is sent to your DfG email account on the first of each month. Need help getting logged in to your DfG email account? Contact chapters@daysforgirls.org. Thank you for helping us count your efforts!
 

2020 Regional Conferences

Due to COVID-19, we have made the difficult decision to postpone several DfG Regional Conferences (see below). We will continue to update you on this.
 
  • USA Utah Conference (Pleasant Grove, Utah) POSTPONED
  • USA Northeast/Southeast Conference (Baltimore, MD) October 16-17, 2020
  • Canada (Kamloops, BC) September 19-21st, 2020 POSTPONED
  • USA Southeast Conference (Nashville, TN) MERGED WITH NORTHEAST CONFERENCE
New DfG Teams
We are excited to recognize our newest Days for Girls Teams! These Teams have recently completed their training and have been upgraded from a Team-in-Training to a Team. Congratulations to the following:

            
How can we improve your International Chapter & Team Newsletter?  
Give Feedback
Facebook
Twitter
Website
Email
Instagram
Copyright © 2019 Days for Girls International

PO Box 2622
Mt Vernon, WA 98273
 
You have received this email because you are a registered Days for Girls Chapter, Team, or Club Leader.

Make a meaningful donation to help us reach Every Girl. Everywhere. Period.
Update your profile or unsubscribe from this list.

No comments:

Post a Comment