Fistula Hospital

It was extremely important to me that I visit the Fistula Hospital before I left Addis. I had heard of this hospital before, but I never knew what they did, or even what fistula was, until I saw the documentary, A Walk to Beautiful.

Fistula is basically a hole that causes women to constantly leak urine and/or feces. There are a few different ways that fistula is caused, but it often occurs when a woman is in labor. Fistula is pretty much unheard of in the U.S. because of our access to healthcare. Not everyone is as lucky as us, however. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2 million women around the world have untreated fistula.

That's the most frustrating part. In most cases, a simple and inexpensive (to us) operation can repair this damage. The Fistula Hospital's website states that for U.S. $450 they can perform one surgery, provide post op care, and give the woman a new dress as well as bus fare home. Most women in Sub-Saharan Africa can't afford this, however. Many women live in rural areas and have no access to health care. So these women, who are often kicked out of their homes, are forced to live with this embarrassing problem, even though it is so easy to fix.

That's where the Fistula Hospital comes in. They provide free care to these women. Not only that, they also provide counseling and training. They even teach the women who can not be cured a trade. Their handicrafts are then sold in a shop on the hospital grounds. Inspeaking of the grounds, I could not get over how beautiful they were! It was like walking around the Botanical Garden. Incredibly peaceful and serene.

I have provided the link to the documentary below. Please, please, please watch it. It is incredibly moving.
Here is the link to the foundation's website as well: http://www.fistulafoundation.org/index.html

Watch the movie here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w-fOmovijc