Mother's Day in March, Maternal Health Around the World

Sisterhood Temple Emanu-El of Westfield is hosting MOTHERS’ DAY IN MARCH:  MATERNAL HEALTH AROUND THE WORLD on Sunday, March 11, 2012 at 2 pm, to help spread awareness of the challenges women in Africa & throughout the world face in obtaining health care.  By watching the award-winning PBS/NOVA documentary A Walk to Beautiful, we will learn, through the powerful and moving stories of three women, the devastating impact fistulas can have on both a woman’s physical and emotional well being.  In addition to learning, we will be doing.  We will be preparing “Safe Birthing Kits” and “Pads for Power.”

We will be collecting items to be used for these two projects including new unopened Gerber Brand receiving (baby) blankets, 1-2 ounce wrapped bars of soap, new washcloths and bed sheets (can be gently used but must be washed).  You can bring your donations when you attend the program, or if you want to donate in advance, contact sisterhood@tewnj.org.  “Pads for Power” require access to a sewing machine and volunteers will continue this project after the event.  Anyone with access to a sewing machine is welcome to help - even if they are unable to attend the program on March 11th.  For more information contact us at sisterhood@tewnj.org.

The “Safe Birthing Kits” we prepare will be distributed worldwide to women in rural areas who are unable to reach health clinics for the birth of their children.  These kits include blankets, gloves, soap, razor and string for tying and cutting the placenta.  The kits will be distributed through the United Methodist Committee on Relief.

“Pads for Power” are reusable feminine hygiene pads for school-aged young women & new mothers.  For those still in school these pads enable attendance in school during their menses, reducing the likelihood of their dropping out.  The program was started by the St. James’ Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia, which provides distribution during their missions to the Sudan.

This program is co-sponsored by NCJW, Union County Section.  Other groups are invited to be co-sponsors.  Temple Emanu-El is located at 756 East Broad Street in Westfield.  For information about Temple Emanu-El, please contact Carolyn Shane at 908-232-6770, ext. 114 or cshane@tewnj.org.