A brighter future for Chuni’s family

Chuni lives in a small rural village in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. When she was newly married she became pregnant and was excited to welcome her first child. But after three days of labour at home, the pain became unbearable. 

By the time Chuni arrived at a hospital far from her village it was too late. Her baby was tragically stillborn.

With a shattered spirit, Chuni returned to her village. Heartbroken by the loss of her baby, Chuni also found herself leaking urine. When visitors arrived, Chuni’s mother-in-law hid her at the back of their cottage. 

Chuni felt trapped, helpless and hopeless.

Dr Catherine Hamlin’s gift to the world was to open our eyes to the plight of women like Chuni who are suffering from obstetric fistula. 

A gift in Will is the ultimate gift for future generations

Leaving a gift in Will (or bequest) to a charity like Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation helps improve maternal healthcare for future generations of women in Ethiopia.

Even a small percentage of an estate, like 1%, can help finish what Dr Catherine Hamlin started over 65 years ago and achieve her vision of eradicating obstetric fistula in Ethiopia through:

❣️ Finding every woman with an untreated obstetric fistula injury across all 1,000 woredas (districts) in Ethiopia and transferring them for immediate treatment at a Hamlin hospital and rehabilitative care

❣️ Preventing future birth injuries and improving maternal healthcare by establishing Hamlin-supported midwifery clinics across Ethiopia staffed by Hamlin-trained midwives 

❣️ Increasing community awareness on the importance of medical care during pregnancy, safe delivery methods and treatment options for women with birth injuries.

A year after receiving life-changing surgery at Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, Chuni became pregnant again. Chuni and her husband returned to the hospital for the safe caesarean delivery of their beautiful baby girl.

The impact of a charitable bequest

“When I held my beautiful daughter in my arms, all my past pain faded away. Words could not express my happiness. I am deeply thankful to all the staff and supporters who have supported my recovery and helped me bring my healthy child into the world.” – Chuni

This is the impact a charitable bequest can make.

Chuni and her family are looking forward to a bright future together, made possible by someone like you who kindly left a gift in their Will to Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation.

Learn more about leaving a gift in your Will or download your free Gifts in Wills guide here.