Give Women Recovering from Fistula a Bright Future

Starting today, your generosity could help us win a place on the GlobalGiving Girl Fund, allowing us to transform tragedy into opportunity for more women and girls like Hadidjia                                                                                    

Hadidjia lived with obstetric fistula for 10 years. Now, thanks to a fistula repair surgery at CCBRT, and training at The Mabinti Centre, she has taken her future into her own hands.

Meet Hadidjia

“I had labor pains for two weeks before I gave birth in a hospital. My baby survived. I woke up with the sheets covered in urine, and at first I thought the baby was wetting the bed. When I realized it was me, I told the nurses and they said it was normal after giving birth. They gave me pills to take for 3 months. The problem didn't stop, and eventually my baby’s father left me because he said I was spoiling the mattress.”

“I lived like this for 10 years, with my mother. My neighbors told me I smelled, and forced me to stay inside. When my mother passed away, I had no one left to talk to, and nobody to look after me. I went to my father’s sister for help, but she told me I was cursed. She chased me away from her house and refused to let me live there. I was fired from two jobs, both times because of the smell."

"When I asked my mother’s family for help, my uncle told me that I needed to get married, and that he had found a man for me. I told him I couldn't get married, and explained why. My family told the man everything, but he wasn't discouraged. He still wanted to marry me. He had heard about fistula before, and he was the one who helped me find help from CCBRT."

"Now that I have had surgery, and I have trained at The Mabinti Centre, I have my own business. I make clothes and bags, and do embroidery and sewing. The money I earn helps me pay for my children’s school fees. I never need to worry about losing my job again, because I am my own boss.”

For the Empowerment of Women and Girls

The Mabinti Centre empowers women recovering from fistula repair surgery with the tools and confidence to start their own business or seek employment. This GlobalGiving project will raise dedicated support for the Mabinti Centre, and is in the running to win a place on the GlobalGiving Girl Fund, giving us access to exclusive matching donations. We need your help to unlock this opportunity.

How can you help?

• Donate: Make a donation to this project before March 15^th. Every little bit helps: it is the number of donors that counts in this campaign.
  All donations up to $250 made on March 8^th (International Women’s Day) will receive a 30% match while matching funds last.
  
  

• Share: We will be posting regularly about the campaign on social media. Share our posts with your friends and family, and ask them to donate and spread the word.

A donation from you, no matter the value, is a vote of confidence in the work of Kupona, and a show of support for the women and girls working hard to rebuild their lives at the Mabinti Centre.

You hold the key to unlock their potential.

Thank you,

Abbey

A graduate of The Mabinti Centre, Lidya’s story began with tragedy, but was transformed into one of opportunity and triumph. The trauma and grief that Lidya experienced during the delivery of her children is beyond what many of us can imagine. But, losing her first child at just 2-days-old, raising a child with a disability caused by birth complications, and developing fistula on two separate occasions, has only made Lidya stronger.

“When I was admitted to the national hospital to deliver my first baby, my doctor referred me to an intern. They used a vacuum to assist with the delivery. My baby was born with his brain outside of his body, and he died 2 days later.

After the delivery, my legs were paralyzed. My husband’s family bullied me, and told him to leave me because I was damaged, and wouldn't be able to give him any more children. He deserted me. I couldn't even afford the bus fare to attend the clinic for check ups.

I married again, and had another child. This baby also got stuck during delivery, and was born with a disability. I was leaking. I was so ashamed that I left my husband. I left Dar es Salaam behind and went to live with my grandmother in our rural village. It was there that I read a leaflet about fistula, and realized I could get treatment. I had my surgery in 2005, and got back together with my second husband.”

Scarred both physically and emotionally by the birth of her first two children, Lidya was determined that her third pregnancy would be different.

“I always say that I ‘bought’ my third child. After all of the problems I’d had in the past, I paid to deliver at a private hospital, to ensure that my baby and I were safe. I trusted my doctor, but just before I went into labor, she was called away. She referred me to the doctor who was responsible for delivering my first baby. Once again, he left me with an intern, even though I begged him not to.

My third child was delivered safely, but the scars from my fistula opened again three days after my delivery. I had another surgery to correct it.

I finished my training at the Mabinti Centre in 2012. I now have a successful business. I go to fairs, and sell my products in my community.  

My experience of living with fistula has made me the successful businesswoman I am today. I am now able to pay for my children to go to school, and my income means I can support my own siblings as well.“

In its 10 years of operation, the Mabinti Centre has restored a sense of independence, hope, and purpose to over 100 women like Lidya.