With hundreds of dresses already sent to underprivileged communities around the world, including some in the Philippines, the volunteers with the East Hawaii and West Hawaii arms of Dress a Girl around the World (DAG) this week refocused their efforts
With hundreds of dresses already sent to underprivileged communities around the world, including some in the Philippines, the volunteers with the East Hawaii and West Hawaii arms of Dress a Girl around the World (DAG) this week refocused their efforts toward the island nation whose eastern region was devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.
“Imagine a world where every little girl owned at least one dress. That is the message and mission of Dress a Girl around the World, an outreach ministry of Hope4Women International, a nonprofit organization,” explained Jeanette Laris, who now serves as East Hawaii Ambassador for DAG International.
When Laris learned of this outreach in the spring of 2011, it immediately captured her heart and she started sewing dresses. And she recruited others, who recruited others, and the volunteer sewing effort continues to grow. In the fall of 2011, the Family Community and Education (FCE) Hilo Council adopted the cause as an ongoing project which has spread statewide through the Hawaii Association of FCE.
For more than three years, Big Island women have been sewing up a storm, generating an avalanche of loving kindness for girls around the world.
“It isn’t just the dress that is important,” explained Laris, “it is the increased feelings of self-worth and dignity the dresses give to these girls. Children who look well-cared-for are less apt to be abducted or seen as easy targets by those who prey on vulnerable children of the world.”
Dresses from Hawaii also have been sent to Cambodia, India, and to Uganda this year, and volunteers have also been busy sewing dresses for the Operation Christmas Child’s Shoebox Ministry.
Boxes of dresses sent to Manila on Sept. 20 have arrived safely in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
“Fortunately that area, where my Hilo contact’s family and friends live, did not get hit hard by Typhoon Haiyan,” said Laris. Now, the focus will be on creating dresses for girls in storm-ravaged sections of the country.
“We are so thankful for all of our dedicated individuals who sew these dresses from pillowcases or other donated materials and help God’s little girls feel dignity, and respect and show them that someone in the world loves them and will protect them,” said Laris. There is also a pattern for “Britches for Boys” available.
If you are interested in sewing for the project, stop by Kilauea Kreations II at 680 Manono St. and pick up a dress kit with instructions. You can also call to sign up for the shop’s next Dress-a-Girl Workshop being held Saturday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register, or find out more details, please call 961-1100.
“And, you don’t have to sew dresses to be of service to our DAG mission. Donations of fabric, and all other embellishments, as well as new and semi-used T-shirts are always welcomed,” said Laris. “Donating to our DAG fund also gives us money so we can buy what we need and help pay shipping fees when necessary. Any help is greatly appreciated.”
To get involved, please call or email Laris, East Hawaii ambassador, at 895-7795 or dressagirlaroundtheworldinhi@gmail.com, or Betty Burlile, West Hawaii ambassador, at 747-0993 or destinychild1958@gmail.com.
For further information about Hope4Women, visit www.dressagirlaroundtheworld.com.
“We try to give to any ministry that can take dresses, or where we have a reliable source at the receiving end that will dress the girls, and not sell the dresses,” said Laris.
