‘Mocktails & Nibbles Evening with Beyond Ourselves’

The Restore Women’s team felt the need this year to reach out to other women, beyond our worlds and lives. And how fitting to have been reminded of Beyond Ourselves!

Beyond Ourselves and Restore Community Church have had a long standing and supportive relationship for quite a number of years now. So what better group of women to reach out to, than women who already had a link to our church, some who have come from our church and others whom some of the members of our church have even had the privilege of meeting in Zambia.

So we emailed Melissa and Jodie and received an amazing response. Melissa was in the process of starting sex education in the schools linked to Beyond Ourselves. She started sending us weekly/monthly prayer requests that we could post on our ‘Restore Women’s Facebook page. She updated us on their progress of designing re-useable sanitary pads and even sent us pictures of the girls receiving their packs and choosing new pants!

We were planning a style evening as one of the women’s events for the year where Jodie would have had a 5 minute slot to come and share a bit about their work with the women and girls in Zambia. Our speaker for the evening could however not make it, which created the opportunity for us to dedicate the evening solely to Jodie and Beyond Ourselves!

The evening was named ‘Mocktails and Nibbles Evening with Beyond Ourselves’.  The event was held at a church member’s house, which allowed for a lovely intimate and cosy atmosphere. Women could enjoy some alcohol free cocktails with creative names such as ‘Whitcombe Wonder Mojito’, ‘Pearse-ing Heart Daiquiri’, ‘Janna Juice Sham-Payne’ and ‘Kawama Colada’ and some lovely handmade nibbles. Jodie shared a bit about their work and showed us a video clip of one of the headmistresses explaining the value of the sanitary packs for the girls. Jodie then showed us the sanitary packs, what it contained and how it works. I must say, you could feel the excitement and awe in the room; the women were amazed at the thoughtfulness, creativity and skill that went into designing and making these re-usable sanitary pads. Some even wanted to order some for themselves! But what struck us the most was the dignity these packs provided to the girls and how easy it is to take every day/monthly necessities for granted.

 

The women also had the privilege of writing cards to the teachers and staff of Beyond Ourselves in Zambia, thanking them for what they do and writing scripture verses and blessings as means of encouragement to each individual.

I left that evening feeling thankful for those in Zambia doing life changing work and grateful for the luxuries we have. I also felt in awe of women who survive and live their lives without all these luxuries and inspired to do more and give more. These women are warriors and conquerors, achieving much with little in their hands. How inspiring and motivational! What a privilege to have a glimpse into their lives and to be able to give, even if just through encouragement, some of what we have. 

May this only be the start of a beautiful, inspiring, generous and flourishing relationship between the Women of Restore and the Women of Zambia and Beyond Ourselves.