Overcoming Fistula through Support and Empowerment

Elizabeth Masheku’s story is one with mixed feelings, both heartbreaking and hopeful. As a young girl living in the rural town of Kwimba, she was forced by her father to get married to a man much older than her who lived in Tabora. Unfortunately, during her first pregnancy, Elizabeth ended with an obstetric fistula. It was a devastating condition that not only caused her physical pain but also psychological trauma.

Tragically, Elizabeth lost her child due to birth complications which brought her an obstetric fistula.. She was devastated and didn’t know where to turn. But that ended when she received much-needed support from the Amref Fistula project, which is a partnership between Amref Health Africa UK, Amref Health Africa Tanzania, Magu Poverty Focus on Older People Rehabilitation Centre (MAPERECE), CCBRT, and Bugando Medical Centre (BMC). 

Thanks to the Amref Fistula project, Elizabeth was able to receive the treatment she desperately needed. The project provided her with vital medical care, psychological support, and entrepreneurship training to help her start income-generating activities. Elizabeth was even given sheep and goats to start her own business, which would provide her with a sustainable source of income. 

Through the project’s help and support, Elizabeth was able to heal both physically and psychologically. The fistula program not only provided her with medical care but also helped her gain self-confidence and hope for the future. Elizabeth is now a strong advocate for women’s health and is committed to helping other women who suffer from fistula. 

Elizabeth’s story highlights the critical work that the Amref Fistula project does. It provides vital medical care, psychosocial support, and practical help to women who have suffered from fistula. By supporting programs like Amref Fistula, we can help women like Elizabeth rebuild their lives and regain their dignity. Together, we can help end obstetric fistula in our lifetime.

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