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U.E. (Unidad Educativa) 25 de Diciembre

After my first workshop in Trinidad yesterday teaching Los Lideres, I prepared for my workshop today for primary students at U.E. (Unidad Educativa) 25 de Diciembre. 

I was expecting to teach about 10 young girls but at least 25 girls showed up. One of the girls from Los Lideres joined me as my assistant and was very helpful in teaching girls how to sew. I only showed her how to make the washable sanitary pads yesterday and she is already so capable and skilled. It is great to see how - only just starting these workshops - there are so many individuals willing to take the initiative and help expand this communal effort. 

The principal of the primary school introduced me and I explained to the girls the importance of finishing their education and how washable sanitary pads will aid them in this personal commitment. 

Throughout the workshop, there was girls tracing and cutting the fabric as well as girls learning how to sew and completing their own pad. 

Towards the end, I was instructing a group of girls how to store and wash the washable pads when - unexpectedly - one of the girls begins to braid my long hair. I think these casual and sister-like mannerisms sum up the entire experience. I don't have a sister and I had not meet these girls until this morning and yet we are already connected; through this experience we feel comfortable enough to be ourselves. 

"Ya siento cómo estamos conectadas y es un sentimiento maravilloso, este sentido de hermandad".
- Sarah Mercado


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Location: Trinidad, Beni, Bolivia

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