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Dani’s handmade tutu auction

Our supporters will do anything tutu support women with obstetric fistula injuries in Ethiopia!

Meet Dani from Woodend in Central Victoria. She first heard about Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation when she saw her friend comment on one of our Facebook posts.

Dani told us: “I thought it was such a worthwhile cause to support and really liked that you are trying to reduce the incidence of obstetric fistula, not just treating the results.”

Dani is in her early 70s. A stay-at-home Mum to three children (and now Grandma to two grandchildren), she is also a sculptor and a tutu maker.

She has always liked sewing and started making tutus when her daughters started learning ballet at the local dance school. She really enjoyed it and started sewing for other people. Later, Dani taught tutu-making classes and developed sewing patterns that she sold to sewers in 35 countries.

Now semi-retired, Dani sews tutus when the mood takes her. When she started experimenting with new ways to decorate tutus she thought it was an opportune moment to raise money for a good cause and show off one of her new designs.

Dani ran an online auction through Facebook and Instagram, trying to raise as much money as possible through the sale of her favourite new tutu design. Dani’s friend, Vicki from Trinity Luxe Tiaras also donated one of her beautiful headpieces to match her tutu.

This is what Dani wrote on her Facebook page:

“I have been a long-time supporter of the Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation, which raises money to provide treatment for sufferers of obstetric fistulas in Ethiopia. They are also trying to eradicate the cause of the problem by training midwives. As I have a new granddaughter due in May, it makes me even more aware of how lucky we are to live in a country with excellent health care, and that not all women do.”

Dani raised $525! The tutu is now with a dance school in Canada. 

When we asked Dani what advice she would give other potential fundraisers, this is what she told us:

“It was so easy and I was very happy with the amount raised. Just have a go! Every little bit can do so much good. A little to us goes a long way and can help change a woman’s life and maybe save a baby’s life too.”

There are so many easy and fun ways to raise vital funds to support women with obstetric fistula. Create your fundraiser here.

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