“I feel lighter now, both in body and spirit.” “It feels like I have been given a second chance.” “I have regained my confidence.” This is how Tesfanesh and thousands of women like her who have suffered the devastating consequences of obstetric fistula feel after being cured. Tesfanesh sustained an obstetric fistula during the birth […]

Tesfanesh is 25 years old. She is the oldest of eight siblings and was born and raised in the Checho kebele (district) of Ethiopia. After getting married, Tesfanesh and her husband, Tsegaye were very excited to be expecting their first child together. They had always wanted to start a family. But after an agonizing two-day […]

Sakada is 30 years old and lives in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Three months ago, she lost a baby and the grief is still written across her face. Her first baby girl was born healthy and is now eight years old. But her second and third babies were sadly stillborn. The birth injuries Sakada […]

Debritu is from a remote village far from the city in the Wollega region of Oromia. After three agonising days in obstructed labour with nobody to help her, Debritu finally sought help at a local health centre. She received no support but was referred to a local hospital. It was too late. Debritu’s baby was […]

Imagine not being able to read or write your own name or contact your family in an emergency? This was the reality for Abebech. In her remote village in the Oromia region of Ethiopia, Abebech grew up helping her family on the land instead of attending school. After getting married and becoming pregnant, Abebech planned […]

Biftu had a happy childhood growing up in a rural area where her family relied on farming. Soon after she got married, Biftu became pregnant and was excited to become a mother. But Biftu experienced a harrowing labour, enduring two excruciating weeks at home before her family finally took her to a health centre. Staff […]

Our patients love receiving your kind messages of love and support. Knowing they have your care and support from across the world gives them strength and courage during their recovery. Whether you send your messages to us in the post or online when making a donation, each one is delivered and attached to a beautiful […]

Adanech sustained a devastating obstetric fistula during the birth of her seventh child, which left her incontinent and in immense physical and emotional pain. Unable to face the judgement of others, Adanech withdrew from her family and friends. “They [Hamlin staff] helped me triumph over pain and isolation to stand tall as a beacon of […]

Without an understanding of obstetric fistula and its causes, survivors are often subject to severe social stigma due to their smell, perceptions of uncleanliness, a mistaken assumption of venereal disease and sometimes infertility. Women are trapped in a life of pain, shame and isolation. Nearly all patients at Hamlin’s fistula hospitals report psychological issues associated […]

Mother. Educator. Believer. These are what Kelemi has become since receiving life-changing surgery at Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital. But it was a long journey to get here. When Kelemi and her husband found out she was pregnant, they were very happy. Like every woman in her remote village, Kelemi planned to give birth at home […]