Woman in Real Life: Girls Helping Girls, With Sears & Plan Canada

I have talked before about how and why my family sponsors a little girl through Plan Canada. My two kids have learned a lot from sharing an ongoing pen pal relationship with Mouzou, who lives a very different lifestyle from theirs.

I chose to help a girl because I feel that girls have more challenges to overcome in developing countries. As a mother, I shudder to think of all the little girls who are orphaned, without protection and without access to proper education. While we all have our favourite charities to donate to on a regular basis, Sears Canada also offers a fun extra way of supporting girls in need throughout the world.

Through their ongoing partnership with Plan Canada and Because I am a Girl, Sears donates one percent of all their Girl Confidential brand sales (like my daughter's outfit, above) to help girls. Donations support projects that improve the lives of girls in developing countries and give them equal access to health care, education, protection and independence.

For the spring issue of LOOK, Sears collaborated with Plan Canada to create a line of limited edition t-shirts and totes made in Bangladesh. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be given to Because I am a Girl! The funds are to be invested back into Bangladesh to provide education and community programs for girls. The shirts are now only $14.97 and the totes are $9.97.

Last year, my kids and their friends so enjoyed holding a lemonade sale in support of Because I am a Girl. It was beautiful to witness their enthusiasm and pride in doing something to support less fortunate children. And each time we have purchased Girl Confidential clothing, my own little gal has been thrilled to know that her new wardrobe piece doesn't just benefit her, but a friend overseas as well. The clothes are pretty darn cute, too!

A win-win, don't ya think?

Disclosure: I am part of the Sears Mom Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.