Academics
SOUL Seeking: Sustainable pads
In lieu of a regular Spring Break, Shawnigan students have been enjoying a two-week relaxed schedule to build in a bit of time to breathe and enjoy some creativity. Earmarked as an opportunity to focus on SOUL Seeking projects—year-long, student-led learning projects that will culminate in a presentation—these two weeks will see a number of diverse, imaginative student projects take a leap forward in terms of research, discovery and design.
For her SOUL Seeking project, Grade 12 student Bea M. is sewing reusable sanitary products for young women in Nepal. The pads she sews will be sent to Shree Mangal Dvip School, where friend and Strathcona housemate Tenzin L. attended before coming to Shawnigan.
“I’ve been sewing since I was quite young and it’s always been a big interest of mine. I’ve been fortunate to have all sorts of opportunities and support at Shawnigan and my sewing skills have just blossomed. I never have the same clothes as anyone else!
As a young global citizen, I try to make things as sustainably as I can. Every year, a lot of material goes to waste, a lot of clothing is thrown out, and a lot of water as well as dyes and chemicals that are harmful for the environment go into clothing and textile production. I try to make most of my stuff out of second-hand materials, either scraps or clothing that I can change and alter. I try to use what’s already available and stay away from new material.
Originally my Soul Seeking project was going to be a sustainable portfolio of useful sewn items, but then I did some research and stumbled upon this widespread need for sanitary products in developing nations. I talked to Tenzin about it and she said that it’s a need at her school in Nepal, and that got the ball rolling. I did some research, collected leftover flannel from the sewing room that was available to me, and got to work making them.
The pads are made from four-layers of absorbent flannel. They’re washable with soap and water so they can be reused which eliminates the need for young women in developing nations to have to source sanitary products every month. It allows them to continue going to school and living their lives throughout their cycle.
I have the resources to create about 100 pads to send to Shree Mangal Dvip. I’m also raising money by selling items at an upcoming craft fair and will send that money, along with the products, to be used to pay for soaps, or school supplies, or whatever else they need. The materials for making these pads are accessible to me second-hand, so I’m hoping to continue making them in the future.”
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful West Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
