Give Women Recovering from Fistula a Bright Future

We have just one day left to unlock exclusive support for women and girls training at The Mabinti Centre.

Your generous gift has kept us in the race. Now, we need your help to get us across the finish line. We’re asking you to spread the word. Share the link to this project on your social media pages, and encourage your contacts to give.

We are just 180 donations away from unlocking matching gifts that will enable Mabinti to reach more women like Rhoda.

In 2011, Rhoda became pregnant for the first time. Her parents took her to a nearby hospital that was crowded with patients, understaffed, and under resourced. Amidst the chaos of an overwhelmed labor and delivery ward, Rhoda labored for five days. Tragically, her baby was stillborn, and shortly after her delivery, Rhoda discovered she was leaking urine.

Her parents took her to a hospital to be examined, and the doctors told her the fistula had formed because Rhoda was stubborn. The doctor insisted she must have refused to be stitched up after her traumatic delivery, and that stubbornness was the only reason she could be living with fistula.

Now 23-years-old, Rhoda still struggles to recount that doctor’s visit. “My heart is beating so fast talking about it” she says.

Fortunately, Dr Robert, a member of the CCBRT team conducting training on the labor ward was called to come and examine Rhoda. He explained that her fistula was treatable, and it was an injury caused by her prolonged, obstructed delivery. He referred her to CCBRT to receive free, comprehensive fistula repair treatment.

“My family had seen banners and posters about fistula around Dar es Salaam, but we didn’t think this was the same condition that I had,” says Rhoda. “After speaking with Dr. Robert, we were convinced that CCBRT could help. I was admitted to CCBRT’s Disability Hospital where I underwent surgery to repair the fistula. When my mother and father heard that I was cured, we rejoiced as a family.”

When I left the Disability Hospital, CCBRT staff asked if I wanted to join The Mabinti Centre. They said I would learn skills like sewing, beading, and crochet, and could start my own business. I agreed to join the year-long training program, and I met other women who had recovered from fistula and learned how to become small business owners.”

Since 2006, Mabinti has equipped 100 former fistula patients with the skills to become independent entrepreneurs or to find meaningful employment.

We have one day left to secure a place on the GlobalGiving Girl Fund and unlock funding for women and girls like Rhoda. Please share the link to this project with your family and friends as we make one final push for the empowerment of women and girls at the Mabinti Centre.

Thank you.