Affecting change in her community: Kelemi’s story

Mother. Educator. Believer.

These are what Kelemi has become since receiving life-changing surgery at Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital. But it was a long journey to get here…

Kelemi lives with her husband in a rural village in Southern Ethiopia. When they found out she was pregnant, they were very happy. During Kelemi’s pregnancy, she saw a health extension worker once but no follow up took place.

Like every woman in her remote village, Kelemi planned to give birth at home. Her excruciating labour lasted more than three days. It became clear something was very wrong so her family made the long journey to the nearest hospital.

Kelemi’s baby was delivered by caesarean section but was tragically stillborn. The long labour Kelemi had endured had caused an obstetric fistula, leaving her incontinent of urine.

Happiness turns to sadness

What was supposed to be one of the most joyous moments of Kelemi’s life turned into a seemingly unending nightmare. When she returned home, Kelemi separated herself from her community and had no social life. She became very depressed.

Kelemi spent seven long years suffering in shame and isolation with this devastating condition.

For more than six decades Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has focused on the treatment and prevention of obstetric fistula – one of the most horrific childbirth injuries imaginable. 

Today, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is a healthcare network of over 550 Ethiopian staff servicing six hospitals, Desta Mender rehabilitation centre, the Hamlin College of Midwives and more than 90 Hamlin-supported midwifery clinics.

Hamlin is the reference organisation and leader in the fight to eradicate obstetric fistula around the world, blazing a trail for holistic treatment and care that empowers women to reassert their humanity, secure their health and well-being and regain their roles in their families and communities.

Finding hope

When staff at Kelemi’s local hospital told her that life-changing treatment was available for her condition at Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital, she was so happy to hear there was hope for her. Kelemi told another woman with fistula in her village about the hospital and took her with her.

Kelemi told us: “The staff respect me. The care of the staff has helped me to heal psychologically. Before I came here, I was sleeping in a bed with no blankets and no linen because of the incontinence. At the hospital they welcomed me and gave me blankets to sleep on.”

Kelemi was cured of her fistula injury and returned to her community determined to educate the other women about the importance of visiting a health centre during pregnancy and childbirth. She told us: “I live freely in my community. I am happy and stable. Before this I knew nothing about health services. Now I am teaching others about it.”

A second chance at joy

She practiced what she preached. When she became pregnant for a second time, Kelemi received lots of support through regular visits to local healthcare workers.

When the time came to deliver her baby, Kelemi’s husband took her back to Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital where her baby was safely delivered by caesarean.

Learn more about how Hamlin’s life-changing holistic treatment is changing women’s lives.