It’s been a busy Autumn

It’s almost Thanksgiving Day - such a lovely holiday. My favorite part of the day is going around the table and hearing what each person is grateful for. As I sit here writing this blog entry, I am extremely grateful for all the people who support The MoonCatcher Project - so many of you that make this project possible.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

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It’s been a busy Autumn this year. We’ve started doing some MoonBees though we continue keep the numbers down and ask for rooms that are spacious and have windows. Our volunteers are happy to be together again, and I find the same sense of community that has touched my heart so many times over the years. People chat with each other about everything as they cut Tyvek, pack pads, measure cording, and assemble kits.

I’ve also been out doing some presentations about our work, and the global problem of period poverty. Thanks to Jatnna Alvarez who is working on programming at UAlbany to educate students on the issue.

I’m always happy to talk about The MoonCatcher Project at your church, synagogue, quilting group, girl scout troop, or other organization. Just write ellie@mooncatcher.org or call 518-859-5114.

Our sewing guilds are busy making and distributing pads. But there is much concern about Uganda’s current struggle with a deadly outbreak of Ebola making it necessary to shut down schools again and forcing people into isolation. Jinja, where one of our sewing cooperatives is located, has seen cases rising lately. After Covid caused so much damage and hardship, this new problem feels like too much to handle. Phoebe is hoping to finish the kits that her tailors are making as fast as possible so that they can be delivered before the students are sent home next week.

In September, MoonCatcher Partner Tabitha delivered kits to The of Ring of Hope, an organization that supports children in Jinja, Uganda.

Our board member, Agnes Pala-Bukhala is in Kenya as I write this. She will visit Jacky and see how things are progressing at her sewing guild. Agnes is also working to set up sewing centers where our kits will be made but will be funded by the Kenyan government. There is a law in Kenya requiring schools to provide menstrual supplies. Unfortunately all the funding for this mandate is usually spent within the first few months of school - on disposable products. If reusable pads are provided instead girls would be set for 3-5 years.

Once again it is the end of the year fundraising season. We are gearing up for “Dining for Dollars” - our annual lasagna dinner fundraiser. We are so pleased that we are able to go back to the original model. The Covid problem of the past two years pushed us toward a smaller event featuring cookies. We are back to providing full dinners including cookies!. Click here to learn more and to order your lasagna dinner.

I recently spent some time designing and painting an all-occasion card. It can be used for the holidays and I believe it captures the spirit of the season (photo below). We have worked with local students to develop hand-made yard signs for sale as well. Click here for more info! Enjoy the Holidays and support The MoonCatcher Project all at the same time.

Many thanks to you all and may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving, full of love and gratitude.

Ellie