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A new chapter in her story

Fetenech has a smile that beams.

The 28-year-old has her own coffee house, which has prospered since she started it three years ago. “I am born again and want to focus on my bright future ahead,” she says.

But her future wasn’t always so bright. In her teens, Fetenech had complications giving birth. She suffered unimaginably for three days with an obstructed labour before her baby was stillborn.

To heap tragedy upon tragedy she suffered a double fistula which caused her to become incontinent of both urine and faeces. It was an embarrassing, uncomfortable and isolating condition that she suffered for seven years. For Fetenech, the turning point came when she was referred to Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital.

The condition was successfully treated. And as part of her rehabilitation, Fetenech received business skills training. Finally, no longer living in the shadow of her injuries, her coffee house is now thriving.

Our thanks to everyone who supported our rehabilitation appeal this year and empowered more women to write a new chapter in their stories.

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