“In any ordinary place, on any ordinary day, the parable can live again, when one will kneel and one will yield. Our Saviour Servant must show us how, through the will of the water and the tenderness of the towel.”
-Michael Card
Wow! The last Monday of the year is here! 😀
What a treat to get to meet up with you here each week in 2015. Sharing stories and bouncing ideas back and forth with you has been so much fun, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how this blog fills up throughout 2016!
As far as social media goes, I’m still not a superfan of Facebook (, but I can’t tell you how much I continue to enjoy Instagram. I find so many pictures and people and places that move me over there.
A few months ago, I woke up to this photo in my feed:
It was posted by an organization I follow called Plywood People. The caption underneath it didn’t mention where the photo was taken, but the setting looked so familiar to me, and I wondered if it was Haiti. I clicked through the DriButts tag to see.
There, I found this photo:
The caption underneath it read:
“This is a young mom in Haiti who had never seen a diaper before. We had the joy of teaching her how to keep her family free from disease. We do this because we care. Dributts.com #cloth #diaper #hope #missions“
It was Haiti! But wait- a mom that had never seen a diaper before? That sentenced burdened me to the core.
I sat there in bed for several more moments. Electrified. Clicking…reading…tears streaming. I learned that over 80% of the diseases in the world are caused by poor sanitation and that most of the people affected are children. I was horrified to read that more than 2 million kids die each year from fecal-related diseases such as dysentery, cholera, typhus fever, and typhoid.
Two million.
Kids.
Fecal-related diseases.
Enter: DriButts- created by Michael and Starla Wahl. They were on a mission trip building latrines in rural Haiti when they realized how great the need for a new kind of diaper was.
They could tell very quickly that the latrines were going to be super helpful for the older kids and adults, but Michael and Starla wondered what about all the diaper-less babies and toddlers living in these villages? Obviously they were too little to use that kind of toilet. Which brought them to their next question: why were there so many diaper-less babies and toddlers in these villages? The answer: in hot climates where folks have limited resources, cloth diapers and disposable diapers aren’t really viable options. People that live in these kinds of areas don’t have access to disposable diapers, and cloth diapers are expensive and are usually made out of cotton, hemp or fleece- three materials that harbor bacteria and need to be washed in hot water with detergent. (Two things they also don’t have access to.) Cloth diapers also cause hard-to-treat rashes because they don’t breathe the way a dri-fit or bamboo fabric would.
Doing nothing wasn’t an option for Michael and Starla, so they went home determined to find a product that would help. They wanted to find a diaper that worked in hot climates, and was hand washable, reusable, highly absorbent and quick drying. One that would fight against bacteria (not harbor it) and be cooler for the kiddos to wear. After an exhaustive search, they couldn’t find a diaper that met all those specifications.
So they made one…
…and DriButts was born! 🙂
I was immediately inspired to reach out to Michael and Starla, and I was SO excited to read that they were only a couple of hours away from us, in the Atlanta area. I just had to hug the people who actually saw this incredible idea all the way through! I found their email address on the DriButts website and typed out a message at lightning speed. Michael wrote back right away, and a few weeks later, Kevin & I and our friends, the Popes, drove to Marietta to meet them. We got to see, feel, and hear all about the diapers firsthand, and I’ve been looking SO forward to telling you all about them ever since!
Okay, so, here are all the details…
DriButts diapers are made up of two super-soft parts: a durable, light weight outer shell, and a highly absorbent insert.
The outer shell has snaps all the way across both sides of it so they’ll fit most children between the ages of newborn and two.
The top can even be rolled over so that they can be worn by the teeny tiniest of babies!
The absorbent insert (which is three layers thick when folded) slides into a pocket on the inside (rear) of the diaper, and is specially designed to retain liquid and be breathable.
Because the outer shell is made of a poly/spandex blend and the insert is made of bamboo and lined with an absorbent material called “zorb”, everything dries in a fraction of the time it takes a regular cloth diaper to dry in. The outer shell dries within 25 minutes, and the absorbent insert dries within 45 minutes, and when cleaned properly, one DriButts diaper will last over two years! Isn’t that awesome!?
And here’s what else I love: Michael and Starla do “diaper drops”. Meaning, they sell as many diapers as they can by a certain date, and then they pack them all up and take them to Haiti. Here’s a photo of the diapers they brought with them on a recent drop:
The caption underneath the photo read:
“If you donated a diaper in the last 3 months, your diaper is in this pile of 800 Dributts diapers. They will all leave for Haiti on Wednesday. Thank you for saving lives! Dributts.com“
I LOVE seeing so many of them all packed up and ready to go like that!!!
Michael told me they were able to do six diaper drops in 2015 and they hope to do at least eight in 2016. (All of which are going to be open to the public if you are interested in traveling with them to Haiti, Honduras or Romania! Click here for more info: DriButts Trips) At the drops, they educate parents on how to use the diaper, how to properly dispose of human waste, how to properly clean the diaper, why they need to use it, and how it can free them from disease. They also work with leaders in the communities to make sure the diapers continue to be used correctly.
We got to take 20 Dributts diapers with us to our Sweet P’s orphanage (Three Angels Children’s Relief) when we visited in late November, and although our babe is fully potty trained, several of his cute little buddies were happy to put them to good use:
(All photos taken by Kevin and I, and shared with permission from their mamas and Three Angels)
I am so inspired by this mission, y’all. I mean, really, really inspired.
Michael and Starla could’ve easily just gone about their merry way after that first trip, but they didn’t. They went home and talked about a solution. Michael researched fabrics, and Starla and her friends got busy sewing them together around their kitchen table. They didn’t let their lack of funds stop them from getting started, and they didn’t let their lack of experience stop them from making their first batch of 800 DriButts. (700 of which were donated by Michael and Starla themselves, by the way.) In the words of the great Jedidiah Jenkins: They clawed at “impossible” things. They wore them down like water over river stones. They want to leave the world better than how they found it, and that mutual pursuit sure does color their love.
Enter: us. Me and you. Here’s what we can do…
The DriButts diapers are sold in sets of two (for $30), and by donating two diapers we can change the potential narrative for a child that currently doesn’t have any diapers. Two DriButts diapers will keep one child’s bottom covered from the time they are born, until he or she is able to use those latrines.
By donating two diapers, we strengthen a simple solution and help reduce a massive problem around the world. Plain and significant.
Here’s a link to their website if you’re interested in donating (or going on a DriButts diaper drop!) with me:
If you’ve made it all the way down to this sentence, I want to thank you for letting me gush about these diapers. 🙂 I love blogging about design and decor, but ideas like these are a part of my heartbeat, too!
“And the call is to community…the impoverished power that sets the soul free. In humility, to take the vow. That day after day, we must take up the basin and the towel.”
-Michael Card
Tracey
I simply LOVE this post. I am so IN, can’t wait to be a part of this! Layla, sharing your gifts AND your heart is a testimony of your love for people especially the little ones just like Jesus asks of us all.
Robin
Oh wow. This post nailed me right in the heart. I will most def be donating to the cause. It will be our pleasure to help these little guys. What an inspiring story. My hubby has gone over to help out in Les Caye. He spent time working at “The Ranch”, a teaching/doing/hands-on farm for locals so they can learn a trade and take care of themselves and their families. I’ve been to Haiti as well but in a different capacity. There are no words…What I did learn is that they are a very family oriented people. I was inspired by those I met. The diapers will be lifesaving. Hats off to this forward thinking couple. Thank you for sharing.
Doreen@househoneys
This is amazing Layla, and so very inspiring! Sometimes it’s the simplest of things that can be life-changing. I’ll be donating to this cause for sure.
(We are currently in Tybee and we rode our bikes past the Screened Inn) 😉
Danielle
This is such an amazing idea and so important. xx
nancy
Diapers donated. Thank you so much for following Your heart and making us aware.
Robbin
Just went over to the website and donated 2 diapers. This breaks my heart for the mamas of Haiti. I can’t imagine not having what you need to care for your sweet baby. My daughter-in-law has been to Haiti on a missions trip so this is close to my heart. Thanks so much Layla for sharing this and giving us the opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of the babies of Haiti. Blessings and prayers for you today sweet friend (who I’ve never met LOL)!!
Dawn Schmid
Thanks so much for sharing this idea. I’m so excited to get involved! So easy to think that people would give $30 to change the life of not only a child but their whole family! I’m ready to pack my bag for Haiti!
Dawn
Ter'e
Who thought I would wake up this morning…….with snow……..and crying about diapers? Ya gotta love it. Layla, you sure know how to touch our hearts. Hoping I can take part, here, too.
BTW……..aren’t those the most beautiful little children?????? Such wonderful futures they have ahead, thanks to families like you. What a way to start the day!
Robbin
And I hope its O.K., but I did a blog post about this and gave links to your blog and to Dributts.com!! Doing what I can to spread the word!!
Jessi E
Two more diapers to Haiti from us! What a wonderful cause. I am so glad you brought it to my attention!
Denise
Only you could write an engaging post about diapers. 😉 I love this and the hearts of all involved. Thanks for sharing how we can be a part of something so wonderful: saving lives with diapers! How we complicate everything, right? I am heading over to donate!
Adrienne
When I was pregnant with my first child I made dozens of cloth diapers for my own child, and used them with both my girls. I donated them when we were done with them. So, this ministry is close to my heart. I was happy to donate to this cause!
Layla
I’m picturing us all standing together with linked arms, Adrienne. 🙂 What a blessing to partner with y’all in this way!
Kathy
Thank you for sharing this with us Layla! Just donated!! 🙂
Sandy Taylor
I just donated my first two diapers. Thank you for all you (and Kevin) do. Such a simple thing, and at very little cost to those of us who have so much. “To whom much is given, from whom much will be required.” Thank you for breaking our hearts today.
Betsy @ Happily Ever After Etc
I absolutely love love love this idea! I’ve spent so much time and effort into finding the cutest print diaper or that hard to find color… When some babies don’t even have a diaper at all. I will definitely be donating!
Layla
Love you, sweet Betsy! It blew my mind when I read that too. A friend on Instagram left me a comment today that said, “We are in Ethiopia, visiting the kids we sponsor through Compassion. Today we visited one family in their mud and corrugated tin home. The baby wore no diaper most of the time. When we took them to lunch at a restaurant, the baby had on napkins or a paper towel covered with Saran Wrap instead of a diaper. How I wish I had some of these awesome diapers for them!”
Elyce
Thank you so much for sharing this. I donated after I read this post and checked out the site. I’ve been so blessed in my own life that I had no idea this was such a huge issue. Thank you for opening my eyes and providing a way to help. What an ingenoius and awesome way to help protect the world’s children.
Sharon
Wow, what a wonderful thing to do!
Beth Schultz
You got me. I donated this morning. You are wonderful for inspiring people to donate to this great cause!
Patti
Thank you for sharing this need. I had no idea. I will certainly donate and will forward this information to others. Enjoy your day!
Bibi
Thank you Layla, Starla, and Michael! Four pair of diapers on their way to the beautiful children of Haiti.
Lisa@2perfectiondecor
What a wonderful post for a wonderful cause.. I just donated!!! Thank you for getting awareness out there. Merry Christmas xo
Pam C
It is great to see people actually helping to fix a problem. I wonder if this could be taken one step further and teach the Haitians how to make their own? Set up a little home manufacturing business-giving some people jobs. Kind of like the parable about teaching a man to fish?
Layla
I love that idea too, Pam! Thank you for posting it here! XO
Jenny B.
That’s a great idea, Pam!
Layla, thank you for sharing this opportunity to help!
Beth Smith
I love this and went to buy two, but they don’t take paypal, my source of online funding. Can you find out about that? Thanks
ClaireatMisterSparkyOKC
This is so awesome! I love their mission! And I can’t believe some people have never even heard of diapers! That’s crazy to me…
Sarah Larhman
Who knew a diaper could create such an impact! Hugs to
Michael and Starla for caring so much and make a difference.
Julie
Thanks so much for bringing this information to us! What an inspiring ministry to “the least of these” and to their precious mothers and family members who do the best they can with what little they have. I spend most of my days helping pregnant women and new moms and babies here in my region, so this need really speak to me. A lovely Haitian woman recently moved to our area and is trying to start a ministry that will provide maternity care for women in Haiti. A friend of mine is working with her. I’ll make sure the info on Dributts diapers gets to them, too!
Julie
Oops…really “spoke” to me. 🙂
Terah Young
This made me want to go to Haiti. Just sent my information so that I can join them on their next trip!
Heather HS
Post to some of the cloth diaper groups on FB!
Lee Jacobs
I’m just stunned by this need! At 73, with four grown kids and eight grandkids, how could I be so unaware that there is a whole country (and how many more?) of babies who have never had a diaper to protect their little butts? I also made diapers for my babies, so appreciate the thought and work that goes into Dri-Butts. I also second (and commend!) Pam C’s idea of teaching the locals how to make the diapers, and setting them up in business for themselves, if that would be possible. Congratulations, Michael & Starla! YOU are true heroes! I will spread the word, and make a donation, too. Many hugs to both of you! And, finally, thanks for the information, Layla!
linda t
Totally on board! Posted this post on my Facebook page too. So excited to know a mere $30 will meet a huge need for a little one for two years! Love this charity. Love your tender heart. Can’t thank you enough Layla!
Dawn
Layla,
Thank you for sharing this story and for educating us.
Lauren Baxter
What a sweet, kind, caring and amazing post and charity! You never think about the small things in other countries and how much it can really make a difference 🙂 Simply wonderful, thanks for sharing!
Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
xx
kelly
Oh Layla, I love this! Thank you for sharing! I for sure, will be donating!
Karen M
Thanks for sharing this ministry with us ! I just donated 3 sets 🙂
Sophia
This post hit me hard. Thanks for sharing. Will donate to Dributts for the kids in Haiti. Will also share this post to my friends.
Gail D.
I don’t receive your blog all that often anymore, Layla, but I’m glad this one did. I am so isolated from babies anymore that I just was not aware of this; that is, I just didn’t think about it. I will from now on. I would like to ask you to keep the DriButts site up on your blog so we seniors can work it into our tight budgets and help out hen we can. Thanks for making me aware of such a worthy idea.
Holly
Reading posts such as this one reminds me of just how truly blessed I am. I can’t imagine… thank you for sharing!
Gumtree
What talented and observant people to see a need and then figure out a way to fill it. And what cute little models sweetpeas friends are.
Steph
Coming late to this party, but thank you for posting about this. Diapers donated.