The Nappy Movement
The Nappy Movement was created to make an impact within the hardest hit of our global population, the young born into a world of poverty. What better gift and start in life can we give them than the ability to stay clean and healthy in their younger years and at the same time challenge the governing dynamics of the baby hygiene industry by creating an ultra-environmentally friendly solution for our less fortunate brothers and sisters.
There are an estimated 921 million babies aged under two in the world. A baby will use around 5,000 nappies over their nappy-wearing life. That produces a mountain of waste equivalent to 190 black bin-bags full.
In Africa and India, parents use either cloth nappies for their babies or none at all. When nappies are used, they are often made from the old clothes or rags. In China, toddlers wear split pants, trousers open at the crotch so that youngsters can pee or poo when they like.
When we hear the words ‘reusable’ or ‘cloth’ nappies, many of us will picture the traditional square of linen cloth fastened with safety pins. Well, things have changed in recent years, meaning reusable nappies no longer require a large safety pin, are much more absorbent, and fit much like a disposable nappy without the need for wrapping!
Within the Sikh Dharam, the focus on one’s personal dignity and cleanliness are of paramount importance. In Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Japji Sahib, we read:
bharee-ai hath pair tan dayh. paanee Dhotai utras khayh.
Hands, feet and the body that are polluted, With water the dirt can be washed away.
moot paleetee kaparh ho-ay. day saaboon la-ee-ai oh Dho-ay.
Clothes that are soiled and stained by urine, With soap they can be washed clean.
bharee-ai mat paapaa kai sang. oh Dhopai naavai kai rang.
When the intellect is stained and polluted by sin, That can be cleansed by the Color of the Naam.
punnee paapee aakhan naahi. kar kar karnaa likh lai jaahu.
Virtue and vice do not come by mere words; actions repeated, again and again, are engraved on the soul.
aapay beej aapay hee khaahu. naanak hukmee aavhu jaahu.
What you plant is what you shall harvest. O Nanak, by God’s Command, we come and go.
How can we encourage individuals to seek oneness with the Infinite when they can’t even access the physical requirements ascribed above?
How do we gift humanity with the human right to physical dignity when they cannot access basic needs to do so?
With the help of your donations we will be providing reusable nappies to babies around the world. To get involved or for further information please contact us.