Welcome to my JustGiving Donation Page for Family Impact. My Name is Justine Pearson and I am a Missionary from Vancouver,Canada.

I am working to launch the women's department of Famliy Impact starting in 2011. We are excited with what God has laid on our hearts. We need your support through prayer and finanical partnership to be able to see God's work get done. Here is what we are up to:

Proposed Activities: -          Teaching of sewing skills to Gogos, Pregnant women, single mothers, young school girls -          Distribution of Zimbabwe made reusable sanitary pads to rural girls and maternity clinics -          Education of hygiene and physical and sexual health to young girls -          Education of issues relating to pregnancy- labour basics, breastfeeding, baby care, nutrition to pregnant women -          Education of biblical perspective on menstruation, gender roles and family values Background and Context: The natural process of menstruation comes as a big problem to women and girls in many parts of Africa, contributing to both disempowerment and health risks. For young girls menstruation is an addition to the heap of gender disparities they have to face in life. The women and girls use anything from rags, tree leaves, old clothes, toilet paper, newspapers, cotton wool, or cloths to catch their monthly menstrual flow. Menstruation is perhaps one of the most regular individual female experiences, but in sub-Saharan Africa, the experience impacts general society negatively due to the absence of products required by women and girls to cope with menstrual flow.   Affordable and hygienic sanitary protection is not available to many women and girls in Africa, and governments have done very little to address this reproductive health issue which has serious public health consequences. Sometimes a young girl will even miss school while she is menstruating which over a 4 year period would result in approx 24weeks of school missed.   Women who are pregnant are also required to bring their own supplies with them to the hospital such as sheets, latex gloves and sanitary maternity pads. Many women are unable to bring all the necessary supplies with them and will even be turned away from being helped. As well, due to the lack of hygienic sanitary pads women who have just delivered a baby are at high risk for vaginal infections.   With relation to this project it is acknowledged that one of the main stresses on a single mother is that of finances. Often she was supported by her husband and even if she were to be able to ask for support from extended family they often are struggling for work themselves especially in the face of the current economic situation. These women are often forced into prostitution to be able to pay for food and housing for them and their children.   Family Impact has devised a project which will help the issues relating to access of sanitary pads, as well as simulate job production for single mothers, and aid in the process of community cohesiveness. We will also be able to address God’s view of menstruation, gender roles, purity and fellowship within the community.