Try to imagine what it must be like to be a girl who cannot attend school for several days each month due to normal functions of puberty. Also imagine not understanding what is happening to your body because neither your mother nor your school ever explained it to you. Worse yet, imagine having no future in life, except for early motherhood, as a result of this situation. This is the fate of millions of girls worldwide who live in developing countries. In the United States, we take for granted feminine hygiene products that enable young women to attend school, lead independent lives, and pursue careers. But much of the world does not enjoy such luxury, especially in places like Liberia and Sierra Leone – the countries of two of our mission sites. The MoonCatcher Project strives to end the deprivation that girls experience by providing them with washable and reusable feminine hygiene kits. Westminster Presbyterian Church has been participating in “MoonBees” – assembly-line style sewing bees where the kits are stitched and assembled. Even if a person does not sew, there are non-sewing jobs, such as cutting fabric, that can be performed by anyone. Our next MoonBee will be held on Saturday, January 27th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the church Assembly Room. All volunteers are welcome; we hope you can join us! If you are unable to participate in the “hands-on” aspect of this project, monetary donations are also accepted. One completed kit costs just over $5.00. Email office@wpcalbany.org or phone 518-436-8544 for more information. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Darhon Rees-Rohrbacher holds a Doctor of Music degree as well as a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Initially trained as a classical vocalist and pianist, she began playing harp after moving to Upstate New York. Since then, she has focused her energies on performing on and writing for that unique instrument with over 200 published harp arrangements sold internationally. When not making music, Darhon pursues her interest in healing and healthcare at Excelsior College as a Faculty Program Director in their associates-degree nursing program. A lifelong educator, she has been a faculty member at several other schools in the greater Capital District and is the author of two instruction manuals as well as numerous articles.
MoonCatcher Project
