Inspirational Woman: Laura Kelly

 Our inspirational woman today is Laura Kelly! Amisadai and Louisa celebrate her here! 

Laura's love for God and for young people is inspirational! As is her humility as she listens and serves. Her desire to bless and encourage others. And she is doing an inspirational work addressing this very taboo topic. 

Pads and periods. Menstruation and puberty. 

They are not things we particularly like to talk about, and even as we have talked about this project with people in the UK and North America, we have seen the squirming, the embarrassed desire to change the subject. And it is even more of a silent topic in Tanzania. But challenge the shame! Jesus did not shy away from a woman bleeding! We have to talk about this! 

Girls' bodies are precious and should be respected and protected. Periods and the change from girl to woman is not something to be ashamed of. Every girl should be able to celebrate growing into the fullness of the woman she is created to be. For many girls in Tanzania, they are surrounded by myths and fears as their bodies change. Ashamed and confused, they miss school and many drop out altogether. Laura is teaching girls the truth about their bodies. How their bodies work, how they change, and especially how precious they are ... not to be shamed or abused. This is life-changing for these girls. Keep praying for Laura and her co-worker Theopister. Just last week, they heard the sad news that two girls have just left the school because they are pregnant. They are only 12 and 13 years old. The government now bans these girls from ever returning to school. The challenge is real. 

Here is Laura with colleagues Bhatendi (Beekeeping Project Manager) and Peter (Agriculture Project Manager) at the Opening Day of The Hive in July! If you would like to support The Hive, please see our Fundraising Page here!