Alexandra Wendt is a 19-year-old nursing student from Weyburn. She is going into her third year of nursing school at Medicine Hat College.

Wendt belongs to the Canadian Humanitarian Organization for International Relief, which plans, organizes and administers short and long term relief expedition programs to Africa. They assist disadvantaged children, their families, and communities to break free from the cycle of poverty.

“Along with the work that we do, we take different donations with us. So Days for Girls is an organization that creates feminine hygiene products for those who are in need,” said Wendt. “So I did some volunteering with them and created these feminine hygiene kits and I will be taking 87 of them with me to Africa to give to those who are in need.”

A group of ladies in Weyburn did the cutting sewing of the pads and modesty bags, and Wendt organized a team of about 11 local people to put the kits together.

“I’ll be volunteering as a nurse when I’m over there,” she explained. “We’ll be doing different work with communities, families and individuals. So with the community part, we will be talking about menstrual cycles with teenagers and then will be a good opportunity to hand out these kits that I have created with Days for Girls.”

The Days for Girls kits each contain two moisture barrier shields, eight absorbent flannel liners, one pair of panties, one washcloth, two one-gallon size ziploc baggies (for wet or soiled items or for soaking), a cloth drawstring bag to contain the items and also an optional bar of soap.

Wendt will be travelling for two weeks in total, with one week spent in Ethiopia and one in Malawi.

“We want to have an equal amount of time spent in each country,” she said. “We’ll be in rural and urban areas.”

There will be around 16 students, a couple of Registered Nurses and a couple of doctors attending the expedition as well,” she said. “Half are from Medicine Hat, and about half are from Lethbridge.”

Wendt is hoping for some more fundraising prior to leaving for her trip in August. Canadian Humanitarian helped her set up her own donation page.

Wendt expressed her appreciation for the opportunity.

“I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has already generously donated to the organization and towards my trip,” said Wendt. “Every donation counts, no matter how small, and it’s because of peoples’ kindness and generosity that I will be able to go on this adventure and help those in need.”