A DEDICATED group of women from the Lithgow region have been hard at work recently preparing much needed relief packages for women living in East Timor.
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However despite months of hard work and community support a last minute transportation problem has, at least momentarily, stalled their efforts.
The group, consisting of members from local St Patricks and St Vincent parishes, recently banded together following an inspiring talk by former Lithgow police officer Libby Bleakly at a social justice dinner held in Portland.
Ms Bleakly is now a federal officer and has worked extensively with underprivileged communities in East Timor.
Chief organiser Joan Applin said the group was inspired to help after hearing Ms Bleakly’s moving talk about the hardships women in isolated communities faced in third world countries.
“The plight of these women moved all of us to do whatever we could to help improve their quality of life,” Mrs Applin said.
“Most of these women either can’t afford hygiene products or simply don’t have access to them.”
Working under the umbrella of ‘Days For Girls’, an international non-profit humanitarian organisation, the group created a total of 100 feminine hygiene kits using materials generously donated by local businesses and residents.
The kits contain a number of hygiene products including flannelettes, cotton washers, soaps and spare disposable bags.
The care project has also received help from a group of students from La Salle Academy who generously contributed as did a group of women from Rydal who donated an additional 30 kits for the cause.
The Portland Quilters group also contributed to the project by undertaking a large portion of the sewing needed to complete the care packages.
After four working bees spanning a number of months the group had reached their target and were ready to send the packages to East Timor when a last minute change of plans frustrated their efforts.
“We had made an arrangement with a contact at the RAAF base in Richmond that failed to eventuate,” Mrs Applin said.
The unexpected complication has left over 100 care packages in limbo until an alternative can be arranged.
Mrs Applin is currently speaking with a number of freight companies and has also spoken with Member for Bathurst Paul Toole regarding possible transport options.
This stumbling block is unfortunate given the hard work by all involved and Mrs Applin is asking local organisations and businesses for any assistance in delivering the packages.
