Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital

"From Despair to Dignity"

Ruth Anderson came in June to tell St. Edmund's people about the two years voluntary service she had given to this Hospital, teaching craft. Her moving talk made us glad that we support such life-giving work through our Church tithing. Ruth explained 'Obstetric Fistula' for us. Imagine being pregnant in a village so remote from medical facilities that it is impossible to have a Ceasarian section no matter how severe your birth problems. To your despair your baby will probably be still-born and you will have the indignity of continuing incontinence due to fistulae.

In 1974 two obstetric gynaecologists, Doctors Catherine and Reginald Hamlin, recognised this problem and founded a fistula hospital. Through their hard work and compassion the hospital grew and now over 32,000 women who would otherwise have died or suffered terrible degradation all their lives have been treated successfully. Inevitably some cannot be cured and return home so a village has been built for them called Dester Mender (Village of Joy) where they can receive medical support. Recently five regional Fistula Centres have opened so that women can be spared long gruelling journeys.

It would take too long to describe the inspirational aspects of the Hospital such as: the continuing devoted work of 84 year old Doctor Catherine Hamlin; the gathering for prayer in the Hospital Chapel; the craft-work, mainly knitting; the way the patients themselves learn to help in the Hospital; the garden which produces fresh vegetables and the two months training given to new gynae medical students. However, if you are interested to learn more about how our money is spent, there are a few materials near the One City One World notice-board which describe how the Hospital is striving to live up to its stated aim to take women "from despair to dignity".

One City One World Group

© St Edmund's Church, Roundhay - Charity Number 1131904