In March this year, long-time Hamlin supporter Noeline Campbell joined one of our small group tours to Ethiopia — a journey that gave her the opportunity to witness Hamlin’s life-changing work first-hand. From visiting remote midwifery clinics to meeting patients and staff at our hospitals, Noeline gained a deeper understanding of both the immense need that still exists and the remarkable impact Hamlin continues to have. Below, she shares her reflections on this unforgettable experience.
I highly recommend the Hamlin Fistula Tour to anyone who is interested in a cultural experience as well as expanding their knowledge of the work Hamlin does. It is very carefully planned to give the right mix of visiting Hamlin facilities and exploring a small part of Ethiopia. You will come away with a sense of the variety of landscape and peoples within, and the need that still exists for Hamlin facilities to expand their reach.
Throughout the trip, it was very obvious that the Hamlins and their work are held in high regard by Ethiopians, none more so than when we arrived at Hamlin Fistula Hospital Addis Ababa, to be greeted by a statue of Reg and Catherine that had been gifted by the Ethiopian government.
Everywhere we went we were made very welcome. In the Hamlin facilities I felt that we, as donors, were being honoured by very busy people devoting so much time to show us as much as they could and to answer all our questions. In the Addis Ababa hospital, we were shown around by the director, Tesfaye Mamo, and the matron, Sister Tirgalem, who both lunched with us.
In the various facilities, we talked to all levels of staff, patients, women rehabilitating in Desta Mender, nursing students and midwives single-handedly running village midwifery clinics. The night before we arrived at our first midwifery clinic, 23 year old Elizabeth had delivered five babies and found motorbike transport to send a sixth lady to Hamlin Fistula Yirgalem, around 25 kilometres away on dirt roads, where she had safely delivered as well. All this, yet Elizabeth insisted on honouring us with a tea ceremony.
The tribal visits introduced us to five different and very interesting cultures. In some cases, we were welcomed into homes and schools as well as walking around the villages. These visits also served to show us that people live in very basic and isolating conditions, so that we could more easily appreciate the great need for Hamlin to continue to expand its reach. Way beyond the few tar-sealed roads, women are walking many kilometres to have antenatal care and to give birth in one of Hamlins facilities.
In Ethiopia, the word about Hamlin spreads through the women Hamlin has helped. If you are lucky enough to witness their passion, you will know your trip was worth every cent.
Noeline also shared her story with the Sun Live newspaper which you can read here:
https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/365248-donor-returns-from-eye-opening-ethiopia-trip.html
If you’re interested in joining a future Ethiopian Tour, you can learn more here: www.hamlinfistula.org.nz/tour
