Help Eradicate Obstetric Fistulas in Ethiopia

As a Global Women's Study minor at BYU I have the chance to study about women's health issues each semester. About two months ago, I sat on my bed in tears as I read stories of incredibly strong women in rural Africa that have endured Obstetric Fistulas. I read about how they frequently endure days of labor, completely alone, left with a still born baby, and a hole that leaves them incontinent and in incredible amounts of pain. I read how they are kicked out of homes, left by husbands, and are unable to even walk due to the pain and burning of the fistula. I came to realize that I had actually never heard of an Obstetric Fistula. Why? Because in first world countries they are basically eradicated. It wasn't immediately affecting me, and I knew nothing about it. But in Ethiopia, an Obstetric Fistula changes the entire trajectory of a woman's life. I remember the hope I felt as I read about the Addis Ababa Fistula hospital. An organization that offers free treatment, surgery and recovery efforts for women affected. And an organization that is training women as midwives to go back to their villages and stop this from continuing to happen. This week, as my birthday approaches, I'm asking that in place of any gifts that everyone donate to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital! Whatever you can give I know will make a measurable and real difference in lives of these women and families.