Abebech's Story

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 to give birth at home. But after three arduous days in labour, Abebech’s family took her to the nearest health centre desperately seeking help. 

Because her condition was ‘beyond their control’, Abebech was referred to the local hospital where her baby was stillborn. She also sustained an obstetric fistula which left her incontinent. She told us:

“Because of the fistula, people commented on the very bad smell. I didn’t visit my neighbours for coffee and I never went to church or the market. I cried all day and night.”

Can you imagine Abebech’s anguish?

Abebech is one of around 1,000 women every year who suffer this cruel fate in Ethiopia. Tragically, 93% of women who sustain an obstetric fistula deliver a stillborn baby.

Ashamed, alone and without an education, women are unable to work to support themselves and cannot take part in any community gatherings.

Will you make a donation today to help a woman like Abebech reclaim her health and her future after the trauma of obstetric fistula?

Treating a woman with obstetric fistula goes far beyond surgery.

Drs Reg and Catherine Hamlin’s holistic Hamlin Model of Care treats the whole woman with respect and compassion, restoring her physical, emotional and psychological health and dignity.

Every woman arriving at a Hamlin Fistula Hospital is warmly welcomed with a Comfort Package, including a beautiful hand-knitted Hamlin blanket, hygiene items, a clean new nightgown, slippers and a homecoming dress.

In addition to surgery, she receives tailored counselling, physiotherapy, nutrition, numeracy and literacy skills and vocational and life skills training. 

After a year of suffering, Abebech’s heart leapt when heard there was a cure for her incontenance. The medical staff at Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital sent an ambulance to Abebech’s village to collect her. 

“I was warmly welcomed. The care I received at the centre exceeded what I had experienced from my family. They provided meals, changed the sheets regularly, and offered breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Everything was free.” - Abebech

Life after her cure

Abebech expected life to get easier after being cured of her obstetric fistula but, with no education or skills, she struggled to provide for herself and her family. Her healing journey was not yet complete.

Abebech was invited to participate in Hamlin’s Women’s Empowerment Program, a two-month residency program at Desta Mender, Hamlin’s rehabilitation and reintegration centre.

Launched in 2021, this groundbreaking program offers women a range of learning opportunities including literacy and numeracy, leadership and communications training, as well as small-business guidance.

Abebech approached her training with great enthusiasm. After completing literacy and numeracy training, she was so eager to continue learning that she went on to study cooking, sewing, embroidery, and poultry farming.

With her health and dignity restored and equipped with new skills and confidence, she has everything she needs to lead a meaningful and productive life.

For over 65 years, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has provided complete and compassionate care to obstetric fistula patients like Abebech, giving them every opportunity to thrive after the trauma of obstetric fistula.

Here’s how your gift today can help another woman like Abebech:

Based on Drs Reg and Catherine Hamlin’s core values of love and compassion, over 70,000 women have had their health and dignity restored by the Hamlin Model of Care thanks to generous donors like you.

But their work is not complete. Right now, an estimated 31,000 women are suffering with untreated obstetric fistula injuries—and around 1,000 new cases occur each year.

Will you wrap a woman in love and provide her with the holistic treatment and care she needs to reclaim her health and her future?

With the end of the financial year approaching, your donation is both tax-deductible (meaning you could get a third back)—and life-changing.

With your support, we're determined to continue Reg and Catherine's humanitarianism and achieve their vision of eradicating obstetric fistula. Forever.