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Menstrual Cups – for Boko Haram victims, Nigeria

  • Intense last days - back to NZ - and a massive thank you

      14 December 2018
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    This week I returned to NZ, following an intense 3 weeks after the Maiduguri cups distributions.

    Doors unexpectedly opened up for me to meet further key people from different sides of the Boko Haram conflict, including: (1) an emotional visit to both families of executed midwives, Saifura and Hauwa (see Updates 7/10 & 17/10); (2) meeting the infamous "Aisha the Boko Haram huntress" - in utter contrast to my friend Aisha the BH negotiator and advocate; & (3) the off-the-radar journalist to whom Boko Haram releases their videos etc for dissemination.

    Stop Demand/I was also able to play a mediating role between key stakeholders for abductees (BringBackOurGirls advocates, and families of abductees) and my friend Aisha/Mama Boko Haram of whom many have been previously suspicious/mistrusting. This included setting up an emotional meeting between the parents of still-missing Dorcas Yakubu (the youngest Chibok schoolgirl) and Aisha. My contact with all parties continues (thanks to whatsapp).

    As for the menstrual cups, before leaving Maiduguri, Dr Suleiman (who featured in a short clip below, posted 8/11) reiterated his plans to be accessible to cup users for questions, follow up, etc and will report back to me over the coming months. Already feedback from women in the 9 camps visited in Abuja and Maiduguri has been that the cups are having a dramatic and positive impact on many women.

    This is fantastic news - all thanks to you, the cup donors. (The accompanying photo typifies the enthusiastic thanks to New Zealand donors conveyed by many cup recipients.)

    On behalf of the women, and on behalf of the Board of Stop Demand, a massive THANK YOU for getting behind this small but far-reaching campaign - and for dramatically improving, for countless months to come, the lives of some 2,000 women forced to live in unimaginably bleak conditions.

    With huge appreciation, Denise Ritchie

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  • 5th, 6th & 7th Maiduguri distributions: cups gone

      23 November 2018
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    (Fri 16/11; Mon 19/11) Success! Your 1500 cups allocated for Maiduguri in north-east Nigeria have now been distributed.

    Our last 3 visits were to displaced women at the informal camps of State Locals last Friday and Garba Buzu and Gwange 4 on Monday. Everywhere, women were excited at the potential relief offered by your cups. The gratitude from many was evident.

    One more distribution remains - our last back down in Abuja when I return (previously adjourned due to civil unrest around the city).

    Meantime, in my final days in the north-east I will be focused on supporting Aisha in her ongoing work on abductees and Boko Haram.

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    • 23/11/2018 by Ruth Bonita

      You are one remarkable woman!!!!

      This is what is meant by “Making a Difference”! Thank you, Denise!🙏❤️

  • 4th Maiduguri distribution: Gwange 3 - blistering heat

      22 November 2018
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    (Fri 16/11) Our first distribution today was at Gwange 3 camp.

    Physically, this was a tough session. Our designated area was completely devoid of any shade, despite the blistering heat. I wondered how the women coped, especially in their non-breathable polyester hijabs. I also wondered how the babies, strapped to their mother's backs under the hijab, didn't suffocate.

    Notwithstanding my own near-expiration, the women were attentive and as enthusiastic about the cups as in the previous camps. Fortunately, one of our vehicles offered some shade for the distribution part. (You'll also see, if you scroll to the end on the Gallery tab, the vehicle also provided a good platform to display the NZ banner that accompanies all distributions.)

    Gwange 3 camp hit the headlines some 2.5 years ago when a 7-year-old boy (referred to as a "suspected Boko Haram member") was arrested for a planned bomb attack on one of the state's largest camps. http://dailypost.ng/2016/02/15/boko-haram-7-year-old-arrested-over-planned-bomb-attack-at-dalori-idp-camp/

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  • A manic 3rd distribution: Railway IDPs

      20 November 2018

    (Thu 15/11) After being 'on a roll' at Buzu, we next headed off to visit the 'Railway IDPs', next to the Maiduguri railway station. What an experience! The women had been shepherded inside the old railway station building, providing a welcome relief from the searing 39 degrees heat and the sandy ground.

    As the short (36 secs) video clip shows, it was a lively bunch, full of questions and outbursts of clapping at hearing the benefits of the cup. However, when it came time for distribution, the security guards had difficulty holding back the swarm of women attempting to burst through the "accordion-style scissor gates" to reach the distribution set up.

    Overwhelmed, Fatima, Halima and I were forced to flee back to our vehicle with the goods and wait while security guards sorted out the bedlam.

    A very satisfying but exhausting day. (See Gallery tab for 6 pics.) Visits to two more camps are planned for tomorrow.

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  • 2nd Maiduguri distribution: Buzu Quarters IDP camp

      19 November 2018
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    (Thu 15/11) Today we made 2 substantial cup distributions.

    Pictured here are some of the women at Buzu Quarters IDP camp, where we had made an earlier preliminary visit, gathering for the education session. After an initial crowd crush in the open area, an orderly arrangement was set up using our security team and a smaller courtyard, for cup collection.

    Further photos of the Buzu distribution can be seen on the Gallery tab.

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    • 19/11/2018 by Ruth Bonita

      What an extraordinary experience for these women. You are achieving more than UN agencies could manage. Again, 🙏

  • What comes out where?

      19 November 2018
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    (Thu 15/11) Educating women on the use of menstrual cups has prompted a lot of questions - and generated a lot of laughter - amongst every group of women to date, as they navigate what goes where and what comes out of where.

    The 2 most common questions: (1) do you need to take your cup out to urinate? and (2) can the cup disappear up into your stomach?

    Needless to say, these 2 diagrams I had enlarged and printed have been a vital part of our education sessions.

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  • The fabulous Fatima & Halima

      19 November 2018
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    (Wed 14/11) Unlike Abuja, where camp permissions, volunteer training, placards, etc were organised before my arrival, more preparatory work has been needed in Maiduguri.

    Priorities have included camp permissions (more complicated in this region, due to heightened security risks), purchasing additional sterilising items, compiling diagrams and, most importantly, engaging these two dynamic women - Fatima (left) and Halima (right), initially as interpreters in the local languages of Hausa, Kanuri & Shuwa.

    Fatima and Halima quickly became so enthusiastic about the cups, they've moved from the role of interpreters to running the entire education sessions, and taking charge of distributions. Their bold manner and ability to resolve crowd crushes, unruly queues, etc has had us all sharing many hilarious moments.

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  • Heart-breaking - 19 yo female suicide bomber

      15 November 2018
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    (Wed 14/11) To give some context to life in this region, Maiduguri and its surrounds have been hit with a spate of attacks over recent days. (Army jeeps with armed soldiers have also increased in the secure complex carpark where I'm staying.)

    This accompanying photo is heartbreaking - for many reasons. A suicide bomber caught entering the city yesterday might conjure up thoughts of extremism. But when it's a 19-year-old female (named as Shaidatu Adamu) who has spent the last 3 years as a captive in the Sambisa forest (a Boko Haram stronghold), and who has been sent on a lone suicide mission, it's hard not to feel huge compassion and sorrow for her. (Let's hope the authorities feel the same way.) http://saharareporters.com/2018/11/13/breaking-troops-arrest-19-year-old-female-suicide-bomber-trying-hit-maiduguri

    On Saturday evening, while texting Dr Suleiman who featured in a recent post, he advised that Boko Haram had just invaded his suburb (7 kms from my hotel) and his neighbours were fleeing. One man was reportedly killed, 65 houses burnt, 500 livestock stolen. https://www.news24.com/Africa/News/hundreds-flee-their-homes-after-boko-haram-raid-in-northeast-nigeria-20181111

    Yesterday, a couple of hours away,16 farmers were found murdered. https://punchng.com/dozens-missing-after-boko-haram-kills-16-report/

    These accounts reflect just how mind-numbingly fragile life is in this region: 27,000 people murdered by the insurgents in the past 9 years.

    Nonetheless, I have not felt unsafe and am peaceful about being here. (However, to those who've asked if I might visit Leah's parents in Dapchi 3.5 hrs away, or the Chibok community 2.5 hrs away, the extreme security risk makes that impossible, sadly.)

    We are planning another cups distribution tomorrow, hopefully.

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  • Displaced young woman checks use of the cup

      8 November 2018

    (Mon 5/11 & Sun 11/11) We made two visits to this small camp (which I've decided not to name, to protect the women). The first, to 'put the word out'. The second, for education and distribution.

    This short clip (22 secs) shows a delightful, young, English-speaking woman checking that she has correctly understood how to use the cup. (Actual education sessions are not this rowdy, with children encouraged to play nearby.)

    She, like thousands of others, has been displaced by the Boko Haram conflict. Most are living in bleak, informal idp 'host community camps', scattered throughout the city of Maiduguri.

    I am in awe of so many women like her who seem able to radiate a lovely spirit, despite their past ordeals and current, terrible living conditions.

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  • Local surgeon calls menstrual cups 'marvellous'

      8 November 2018

    (Sat 3/11) After our initial meeting and expressing some skepticism, Maiduguri-based medical practitioner and surgeon Dr Suleiman Aliyu, embarked on medical publications research on menstrual cups - and is now a convert, calling the cups 'marvellous'.

    In this short clip (1' 22") Dr Suleiman gives his 'take' on the cups and the follow-up he'll do for cup recipients. In consultation with My Cup NZ, we have also reached agreement on an alternative and more camp-suited method of sterilising cups, rather than pots and boiling. (As a surgeon who understands the challenges for sterilised equipment in less-than-ideal conditions, his input has been invaluable.) A great asset to the cause!

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  • Women use sand & unhygienic rags

      8 November 2018

    Some months ago, Aisha advised me of having met displaced women around Maiduguri who, having fled homes and villages and having no money, were making pads from sand and unhygienic rags - see short video clip (2'46").

    During my 2016 visit, Aisha and I bought and distributed 15,000 sanitary pads (thanks to Stop Demand's generous donors) - great, yet frustrating, as not a long-term solution.

    I raised the concept of menstrual cups with Aisha, expecting taboos for the mostly conservative Muslim population. An unknown product to her, she quickly embraced the research and concept, insisting we could educate the women around potential taboos. (You can see from the photos of Aisha, she is an extremely conservative Muslim herself.) So, an encouraging reply.

    Thus, the plan to bring over a heap of menstrual cups was borne. And thanks to you, our fab donors, 2,000 women and girls will have a monthly burden lightened, for years to come.

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  • Reunion with Aisha ("Mama Boko Haram")

      8 November 2018
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    (Fri 2/11) It's been wonderful to see my good friend Aisha Wakil again, after two and a half years. Aisha is dubbed "Mama Boko Haram" by media and Nigerians for her closeness to some of the insurgents (some she's known since 'the boys' were children). A barrister, she and her High Court judge husband are amongst several people through whom Boko Haram have said they're willing to negotiate, with the Federal Government.

    During my 2016 3-week visit I attended, with Aisha, two meetings with Boko Haram representatives.

    A short time after that visit, the Nigerian Army issued a warrant for Aisha's arrest. Stop Demand issued a media release railing against the move - https://www.pulse.ng/news/local/chibok-girls-new-zealand-female-lawyer-meets-boko-haram-commanders-twice-advises-buhari-exclusive-photos-video-id5521733.html

    Inspired by my last visit and the NZ-donated goods that were eagerly received by displaced victims of the Boko Haram conflict, Aisha has set up a very effective NGO, Complete Care and Aid Foundation.

    Aisha is doing some extraordinary work which I've seen evidence of but I'm not free to report on. She played a key role in the release of 82 Chibok girls back in 2016.

    This visit was primarily to return to give Aisha ongoing encouragement and support in her tireless work for the release of Boko Haram abductees and for peace in the region.

    The abductions of girls and women in north-east Nigeria are very much within Stop Demand's mandate and focus: in addition to sexual slavery, rape within war/armed conflict is one of our 6 platforms of action www.stopdemand.org

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  • Displaced women eager to adopt the menstrual cup

      3 November 2018

    (Mon 29/10) This short video clip (32 secs) speaks for itself - as displaced women in the Karama-jiji IDP camp have fun practising menstrual cup folds.

    As with the previous camp, the enthusiasm for adopting the cup has been superb, with interested women receiving very clear instructions on hygiene, risks, care of the cups, sterilisation, etc.

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  • IDP camp cup distribution

      28 October 2018
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    (Sat 27/10) We had an excellent 'outreach' at the Gurku IDP (internally displaced persons) camp, some 90 minutes out of Abuja. Of the 1,800 IDPs, many are from Chibok. All have fled the terror in the north-east.

    The team from PeachAid Medical Initiative (PMI) were superb - professional and fun, with no taboos on the subject of periods.

    A manageable group of 200+ women/teen girls attended the instruction and hygiene session. They were an engaged and responsive group. While none have money for pads, and most use rags or sand, the team thought the take-up might not be great. It therefore surpassed expectations when 140 women and teens expressed a genuine wish to use the cup and queued up. My Cup NZ instruction sheets were given to the few that spoke English, including the woman pictured. (PMI do pre- and post-natal work at the camps and will follow up cup usage over the coming months.)

    Please check out the photos I've posted on the Gallery page (see tab above, or click https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/menstrual-cups-for-victims-of-boko-haram/gallery) - of the PMI team, the education/hygiene session and the wonderful, warm women. (Clicking on each image will enlarge it.)

    The expressions in the women's faces, upon receiving their cup, should convey just how grateful they were to the New Zealanders who made their gift possible.

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  • #BringBackOurGirls & Medical Team Briefing

      27 October 2018
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    (Thu 25/10) Today I joined a small group of #BringBackOurGirls campaigners for their daily 5-6 pm vigil for the 112 still-missing Chibok girls, Leah Sharibu & other abductees.

    All of these men have girls missing from their family or village. Their ongoing anguish is very palpable.

    It's 1,656 days since the Chibok girls were abducted - this is etched daily into the dirt at Unity Foundation where they meet (see photo, Gallery tab). Their peaceful protests against Government apathy are often met with resistance. (Earlier this year, riot police tried to break up the group and numbers have since dwindled.)

    The group is hugely grateful to the support and advocacy by Stop Demand and fellow Kiwis. They were keen to display our New Zealand banner, as a show of our solidarity with them (see photo).

    This evening, Obim (founder of PeachAid Medical Initiative), her team of midwives and I had an online conference briefing, in preparation for our first IDP camp visit on Saturday. I was encouraged by their research, knowledge and questions.

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    • 28/10/2018 by Joy

      So heart wrenching for them after such a long time not knowing... Must be encouraging for them to see and know that others round the world care , just by you being there..

  • Arrival in Nigeria

      27 October 2018
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    (Wed 24/10) The cups and I arrived safely into Nigeria.

    Experienced a few 'miracles'. (1) Customs did not require an inspection of my 4 sealed bags. After giving the male officers a graphic demo with my spare cup, we were waived through. (2) Didn't get hit with any random tariffs (a risk, in Nigeria). (3) Being able to board my Arik Air flight with 75 kgs/5 large pieces of baggage, despite a completely full plane. (4) Arik Air, which has a shocking reputation for cancelled and delayed flights, actually left almost on time (despite an on-board announcement that we had a technical problem).

    We landed safely in Abuja, where I'll spend my first week.

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  • Nigeria - here we come.

      25 October 2018
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    (Tue 23/10) We're off.

    Weighing in at 60 kgs, 4 bags containing the 2,000 cups (pictured) are ready for loading, having been signed off by Qatar Airways ... after an amusing staff demo.

    Whoever invented shrink-wrapping is a genus, especially for fragile bags. (I'm sure airports would not appreciate rogue menstrual cups escaping over tarmacs and luggage carousels.)

    The 3-leg journey to Abuja will take 37.5 hours, with transits in Doha and Lagos. (Whoever invented sleeping pills... another genius!)

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  • You/we did it! 2,000 menstrual cups for Nigeria.

      25 October 2018
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    (Sun 21/10) The appeal ended at midnight last night, and what a result! Thanks to you, we did it - menstrual cups for 2,000 women and girls.

    Givealittle donations reached a staggering $19,481. Generous donations made directly to Stop Demand took us just over our $20,000 goal. We're thrilled and humbled.

    Thank you all SO much for making it happen.

    (Photo: all cups come with the lovely My Cup NZ breathable cloth storage bag.)

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  • Devastating news - Hauwa executed by Boko Haram

      17 October 2018
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    We had wanted this update to be a joyful, big 'THANK YOU' to so many wonderful donors. And it is ... we can't thank you enough.

    But it's tragically overshadowed by news just in. Our last Update referred to Red Cross workers Hauwa and Alice, held with Leah.

    It has been confirmed that 24-year-old Hauwa (pictured) was murdered yesterday (Mon, local time) by Boko Haram, after a negotiations deadline expired. This is beyond devastating!

    Further details: https://cnn.it/2NHrWpi & http://bit.ly/2Clht0G - Denise, Stop Demand

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  • Boko Haram kills midwife, threatens to kill Leah, 15

      7 October 2018
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    This appeal is about more than Menstrual Cups. It's about practically assisting women and girls who face a terrible plight in NE Nigeria (where Denise will be, for a month).

    In February, Leah (then 14) was abducted by Boko Haram along with 109 Dapchi school girls. She is the only one still captive, refusing to renounce her Christian faith despite the cries of her Muslim school friends.

    Boko Haram have threatened to kill Leah this month if the Nigerian Government does not meet its (publicly unknown) demands. This is no idle threat: 3 weeks ago they killed abducted International Red Cross midwife, Saifura, as a “message of blood”. For those of you who pray or meditate, please hold up Leah and her distraught parents Rebecca and Nathan, and abducted aid workers Hauwa and Alice.

    More here: https://allafrica.com/stories/201809190018.html , Denise

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  • 1,000 cups - 50% of target. Fly to Nigeria 23 Oct.

      7 October 2018
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    Thanks to 86 fabulous, generous donors we've now got cups for 1,000 women/girls – wonderful! 50% of our goal of 2,000. 13 days left on the appeal.

    I fly out in just over 2 weeks (23 Oct) and plan to be in Nigeria for 6 weeks.

    Huge 'thanks' to Qatar Airways, who are getting me and your cups (75 kgs) to Nigeria on a great deal. Cannot praise Qatar NZ enough for their invaluable assistance.

    Denise

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  • Common question: “menstrual cups … how the heck?”

      7 October 2018

    It’s a question many are asking: “Menstrual cups? How the heck do they work?”

    Check out this great short video by My Cup NZ (under 2 mins).

    In brief, a cup is inserted using different ‘fold methods’. And the great news? They can be used while playing sport, swimming and sleeping. Even yoga and headstands pose no problem.

    If you wish to know more, there’s plenty of info/clips online.

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  • Our first 500 Menstrual Cups. Fantastic!

      13 September 2018
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    Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of our first 51 wonderful donors, 500 displaced women are now set to receive menstrual cups. $5,064 raised to date. Stunning!

    We’ve teamed up with the fabulous Kimberli, founder of My Cup NZ - pictured here with our first 500 cups. We found that 500 (15 kgs) can fit into these striped nylon bags. Perfect.

    We’d love to distribute cups to at least 2,000 women and girls - so we’re 25% there.

    Again, a massive ‘thanks’ to all donors to date.

    Denise, Stop Demand Foundation

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  • A world of difference for 200 women ... and rising

      27 August 2018
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    A big 'thank you' to all who have so generously donated over the past few days. So far you've bought cups for some 200 women ($2,000) ... stunning! A personal note to each of you can be found on the Donations page, next to your donation.

    Will bring you another update soon. Thank you again, for making a world of difference to the health and dignity of these wonderful women.

    Denise

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