RSY-Netzer Makes a Difference with Sanitary Towels

RSY-Netzer decided to do some social action this summer. While loading the coaches with suitcases and over 460 young people, RSY-Netzer asked participants to bring sanitary towels or nappies to donate. These will be distributed at the first of its kind North London Drop In Centre for Destitute Asylum Seekers. The Drop In Centre offers help, provisions like clothes and food, legal and medical advice and even friendship.

Sanitary towels and nappies collected for the North London Drop In Centre for Destitute Asylum SeekersMany apply for asylum in the UK, many are denied, many of those will then return to their country of origin. Others decide that they would rather be without home, money, food and an unknown future than return to their country of origin. The Drop-In supports people who have fled war, torture and abuse but have failed in their bids for asylum in the UK. Without that legal status they cannot work, leaving many living on less than £5 a week.

RSY-Netzer movement workers had learnt the story of a young woman who had been imprisoned in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for political activity and was beaten and raped in prison. She was refused asylum but decided to stay in the UK anyway. Living in the UK with her five year old daughter in terrible conditions was almost unbearable but with the help of expert and experienced lawyers from the Drop In Centre she made a second appeal, this time successful allowing her to stay in the UK.

It was inspiring to see the effort that all the families made to collect sanitary towels and nappies for the RSY-Netzer appeal. Thank you to everyone who donated. These are basic provisions that the destitute asylum seekers could not afford to buy and that the Drop In Centre distributes each month.

As Daniel Lichman, former Mazkir of RSY-Netzer said of the project: “It is humbling and heartbreaking knowing these basic necessities are unaffordable.”

RSY-Netzer would like to continue to extend their support of the Drop In Centre and would like to invite the Reform Movement members the opportunity to support this unique Drop In Centre by donating just £1 towards the collection of a year supply of nappies and sanitary towels for the centre. Donate at the Jcore website. The donations will be used to buy sanitary towels and nappies that will be stored in a Big Yellow Self Storage facility in Finchley who have donated a storage space to the centre for free.

Maybe it is that most of our Jewish histories include running from persecution, but the Drop In Centre particularly touches Jews. the centre shows us the possibility of reaching out to another human being. The human spirit is amazing, and we begin to see glimpses of how one human can make a difference in the life of another; even simply by buying some sanitary towels!