A Lesser Cause

I’ve always been involved in fundraising and charity work. My parents taught me that if you come across someone embarking upon a righteous cause, you should help them. Their influence and example means I have always looked for righteous charity projects I can contribute to.

From huge fundraising events for cancer research to heading school committees campaigning for safe student passage to and from school, I’ve been involved in causes that benefit many people.

But I recently realized all my volunteer endeavours have been causes I can happily discuss and share. Popular causes. Causes that most people have heard of. Causes that attract a great support base. Causes that are not linked to some ‘yucky’ body part or unspoken bodily function. Known causes.

I came to this ‘big charity’ realisation when I attended an open day for a local high school with my eleven-year-old son. While perusing one of the classrooms I was approached by a shy student. I could immediately tell that she was nervous. I gave her a deliberate smile to ease her, and she launched into sharing her purpose. It’s hard to ask someone for help, and in this alone I thought being involved in a charity project was a great experience for these children.

She outlined a project her class had undertaken, supporting an organisation that supplied reusable feminine hygiene garments for girls in developing countries. My son listened to her opening comments and made a beeline for the door. His red face said it all.

I smiled at this. Let’s face it—even the most socially sensitive eleven-year-old male is going to be a little discomforted by that topic. But I stayed and listened to the young lady, who was very articulate in her presentation and was not at all perturbed by my son’s quick exit. She finished her well-rehearsed speech with a request for help. They needed volunteers to sew these feminine hygiene garments.

Now, while I was more than happy to offer my services in some way, I will never be mistaken for a seamstress. I do own a sewing machine—an old, slow, slightly dysfunctional sewing machine.

I didn’t think I was the person this young lady was looking for. This sort of charity work wasn’t up my alley. But I decided to give it a go. What was the worst that could happen? After all, I also own an unpicking tool.

I took home enough cut-out fabric pieces to complete five garments, and some instructions. I realised the next day that the instructions were impossible for me to follow. As I said, I am no seamstress. Not to be discouraged, I did an internet search for the project, found what I needed, and slowly, but successfully, completed the task.

I was so proud of my efforts that I discussed the project in length with my husband and revisited conversations with my son. In all my searching for help with manufacturing these garments, I also learned so much more about this project: Days for Girls.

This organisation provides so much more than just a free set of washable cloths. It provides education on sustainable health practices, and freedom to continue schooling for both young and older women in so many countries in need. It provides recipients with dignity and opportunities.

And it has the ability to save lives. In some countries girls are banished during menstruation, often locked away in poorly ventilated outbuildings. Girls have died from exposure under these horrible conditions.

My newfound passion for this project has inspired me to discuss it with many others in my circle. And I found out my son has told some of his friends about the project. It struck me how wonderful this is, that a ‘lesser’ cause could generate so much interest and dedication among my friends and family. I wondered how many other ‘lesser’ causes there are out there that have a similar struggle to be heard and supported.

So, dear reader, while I am by no means discouraging you from supporting big charity efforts, I also encourage you to look for the ‘lesser causes.’ You never know what you will learn, what you may conquer, or who you will influence by your gift of time.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NIV).

For more information on the Days for Girls project please go to:

https://www.daysforgirls.org/