One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role is the opportunity to connect with our partners and learn about the impactful work they are doing in response to God's calling. Across the globe, we are blessed with remarkable individuals committed to spreading the Gospel while also embodying the principles of the Good News through practical action.
Among these inspiring individuals is Emily, a passionate young woman dedicated to living out her faith. Emily serves as the founder and Executive Director of Reemi (Reemi | 100% For Good), an organisation driven by the mission to demonstrate care and hospitality in addressing one of the world's most stigmatised issues. Reemi is devoted to understanding the challenges, seeking solutions, and making a positive impact by ensuring access to sustainable and desirable period products and education for all, particularly those facing complex circumstances.
Now I realise that this is not a typical topic of conversation for many of us, but Reemi reminds us “For something that happens to approximately half the population for a significant portion of their lives, we’re pretty bad at talking about this thing our bodies do. Finding products that work, that we can afford, and that meet our sustainability standards isn’t easy.”
Recently, I asked Emily to share her motivations behind this work. Her reflections offer valuable insights into the driving force behind her efforts.
By Emily | Founder and Executive Director of Reemi
For the past couple of months, we’ve been so drawn into Jesus’ first miracle (John 2:1-11). We know that nothing Jesus did was unintentional, unplanned or accidental. It is an act, I believe that he may have given to the do-gooders, the mission partners, the non profit leaders of the world. As well as the Pharisees and the overtly righteous. It was a miracle for us, as humans.
If I was Jesus and I was about to showcase my first miracle to the world, I would inevitably go for something high impact. It would leave a lasting impression to everyone that I was the Son of God, like raising someone from the dead. But alas, he chooses to do an act so that most people, the guests of the wedding, might not even notice. Why?
The cultural context of the time placed a high value on hospitality - particularly around food and drink. I grew up in one of these households that asking “have you eaten” is a way of asking “how are you?”
So being Jesus in this Eastern context, he knew that the family running out of wine would be embarrassed and ashamed if they had not provided enough for the guests. Refilling the wine was an act of dignity for that family.
You know when you read the Bible and you think, oh my, that was written for me. This is one of those moments. My personal interpretation is that Jesus did this kind of act, a simple dignifying act, because it is something that as humans, we can emulate every day. I cannot re-enact a raising from the dead every single day, but I can find opportunities to offer dignity to my family, my neighbour, my co-worker, and in my work.
It’s really shaped the way I do our work and why I do our work. I always wondered why God led me down the pathway of supporting women with their periods. It’s not a comfortable or natural topic for me. It’s not as impactful as saving a life! Why couldn’t we just have worked with water? Not stigmatised, not hard to get funding for and very high impact!
God reveals all things in his time and even though it’s been a seven year journey of our work, I’ve only recently understood this first miracle in the context of dignity. What a gift the scripture can be! And how lovely to know that Jesus showed us the first example of empathy, compassion, and dignity for those with shame, embarrassment and in vulnerable situations.
We are grateful to be working to provide 5,000 women in Gaza with reusable period products and we’re hoping to double this impact to 10,000. The need is just so great, and the complexities are so vast with more than 1 million women and girls that are displaced. In some camps, there is 1 toilet per 486 people. We ask that you might consider a practical solution of period underwear and give towards this appeal, but it’s so much more than that: you will provide dignity in a really tough situation.
Emily.
I encourage you to join me in supporting Emily and the work of Reemi. Your prayers are invaluable as they continue their mission, and your financial contributions can make a tangible difference in the lives of women and girls around the world. You can donate directly, visit Reemi's website (Reemi | 100% For Good), or consider directing your donation through GCAid, GC3 | Donate.
And Emily, keep doing the good work to which God has called you.
Michael Hanson
Executive Director