Ethiopia 
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Netherlands You have helped restore health and dignity to over 70,000 Ethiopian women. Thank you.
While enormous progress has been made, more than 31,000 women in Ethiopia still live with an untreated obstetric fistula injury. And every year, another 1,000 new fistula cases will occur.
Through Project Zero we’ve made it our mission to bring this number down to zero, by focusing on identification, prevention, and education.
Join us as we roll out this life-changing project across the country and make Dr Catherine Hamlin’s vision of a Fistula-Free Ethiopia a reality.
Restoring Health and Dignity
At Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation, we are dedicated to restoring the health and dignity of women who have survived a horrendous – and preventable – childbirth injury: obstetric fistula.
65 years ago, Drs Catherine and Reg Hamlin, started their extraordinary journey to Ethiopia, providing a lifetime quest of world-best treatment for women who suffered from an obstetric fistula. An internal injury caused by a prolonged, unrelieved obstructed labour, which leaves women incontinent, humiliated and cut off from their communities.
With a healthcare network of over 550 Ethiopian staff servicing hospitals, a rehabilitation and reintegration centre, the Hamlin College of Midwives and over 90 Hamlin-supported midwifery clinics.
The Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation raises funds for Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia. We have one purpose and one purpose only: eradicating fistula. Forever.
Ensure future generations of Ethiopian women live free from obstetric fistula
Leave a gift in your Will to continue Catherine’s journey.
The Tragedy of Obstetric Fistula
Imagine you are in labour, giving birth at home with no medical support. You are praying things will go well. They don’t. After four long days of excruciating obstructed labour, you give birth to a stillborn baby. On top of this grief, you find yourself unable to control your own body waste.
This is the tragic reality for too many Ethiopian women. Obstetric fistula is a nightmare.
Empowering Women
Nothing shows the impact of our work better than the stories of women who have had their dignity and life restored, thanks to the support of people like you.
See the impact of your support
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Towards a fistula-free Ethiopia
The Hamlin Model of Care
Dr Catherine Hamlin had unending love for Ethiopia’s women. Based on her core values, the Hamlin Model of Care is grounded in a fundamental respect for every patient and a commitment to provide complete and compassionate care.
Treating Patients
An obstetric fistula can usually be repaired with a single life-changing surgery. The Hamlin clinical team is globally renowned for its fistula-repair treatment technique, training surgeons from all over the world.
Future Prevention
The key to a fistula-free Ethiopia, lies in preventative measures. The Hamlin College of Midwives trains and deploys midwives to work in remote areas of Ethiopia – preventing fistula injuries in the first place.
Rehabilitation
Fistula leaves physical and emotional scars. Surgical treatment at Hamlin is supplemented with physiotherapy and counselling to help recovering patients regain their physical and mental health.
The Hamlin Shop
Discover our gorgeous range of ethical gifts. When you make a purchase at the Hamlin Shop, you are supporting Fairtrade artisans and Ethiopian women with fistula.
Read our Hamlin Blog
Happy 100th Birthday, Catherine!
Our entire global Hamlin family acknowledged Dr Catherine Hamlin’s 100th birthday on On 24 January 2024.
23 January, 2024
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Visit extraordinary Ethiopia with us in 2025 and 2026
Have you ever thought about visiting the hospital by the river? Why not join us for the adventure of a lifetime to Ethiopia? Our 13-day small group trips are the perfect way to explore this extraordinary country, with a Hamlin representative and an expert local tour guide ensuring you enjoy the best possible travel experience. […]
6 January, 2025
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Hamlin Midwives are saving lives
Hamlin Midwives save the lives of thousands of mothers and babies every year and prevent countless obstetric fistulas. They are the key to eradicating obstetric fistula in Ethiopia. “If these poor women who come to us had only had access to a trained midwife early in labour they would have recognised something was wrong and […]
6 January, 2025
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Etch in Memory
Giving in memory is a powerful way to cherish the special memories of your loved one whilst helping to restore the health and dignity of women in Ethiopia who have suffered terrible childbirth injuries. Why not recognise your loved one by etching their name on a plaque that’s added to our dedicated In Loving Memory […]
6 January, 2025
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Thank you for your kind messages to our patients!
Our patients love receiving your kind messages of love and support. Knowing they have your care and support from across the world gives them strength and courage during their recovery. Whether you send your messages to us in the post or online when making a donation, each one is delivered and attached to a beautiful […]
6 January, 2025
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A letter from a Hamlin midwife
Your incredible support of our Christmas Appeal will give more women in remote areas of Ethiopia access to skilled, timely, life-saving midwifery care from Hamlin Midwives like new graduate, Hanan. She is pictured to the right at her graduation ceremony in October 2024 with Sister Marit, Vice Dean of the Hamlin College of Midwives. Hamlin […]
6 January, 2025
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