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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Madre María – Centro de Formación para Madres Adolescentes: Donating a Sewing Machine

After my worshops across Beni, I returned to Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Santa Cruz, Bolivia for a second workshop at "Madre María" – Centro de Formación para Madres Adolescentes (Center for Homeless Teen Mothers). At the previous workshop, I encountered the need to donate a sewing machine for this center, so that the girls may continue making washable pads for the center and other rural communities in need within Santa Cruz. With Hermana (Sister) Cristina donating the sewing machine for the center. At this workshop, there was a nun from the Hogar San Lorenzo Orfanato ( Orphanage) in Santa Cruz. She humbly requested a sewing machine for her orphanage.

Comunidad Villa Cruz – Primaria

After driving an hour away from Trinidad, I arrived at a primary school and held a workshop with mothers, teachers and students. Everyone left with pad templates and learned the skills of how to make a complete washable sanitary pads. The teacher for this schoolhouse came all the way from the neighboring town - where she lives - to welcome her students at the workshop during her school winter break.

Acto Civico & Signed Acknowledgement of Donations

During my last workshop - with the university students - dancers from the university's performing arts, by request of SEDUCA, performed an Acto Civico (traditional dance in my honor). After my worshop, I signed an Acknowledgement of Donations along with Trinidad District Director of Education Lic. Elizabeth Corona and Principal of the Mario Saielli Secondary School Lic. Efrain Tambo. Thanks to Dick Montero (School Teacher), Elizabeth Tordoya (Save the Children Officer), and my mother for helping me at every workshop. Special thanks to my uncle Oscarin for ensuring our safety throughout the trip, and my mother for inspiring and supporting me during this ever-expanding adventure.

The Butterfly Effect

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