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International Women’s Day 2022: Break the bias on fistula
As part of International Women’s Day 2022, Hamlin is reflecting on the importance of breaking the bias that obstetric fistula patients face....
March 27th, 2023
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Tag: Desta Mender
The next chapter at Desta Mender
Catherine Hamlin's Desta Mender, meaning ‘Joy Village’ in Amharic is looking ahead to the next chapter. ...
March 2nd, 2023
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Groundbreaking initiative places women’s empowerment first, as Dr Catherine Hamlin’s ‘Joy Village’ turns 20 years old.
MEDIA RELEASE A ground-breaking initiative in Ethiopia is aiming to empower women who have faced years of social isolation and suffering due to devastating fistula injuries, and therefore struggle to make an income independently. The Women’s Empowerment Program at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s Desta Mender (founded by pioneering Australian Dr Catherine Hamlin) is training survivors of […]...
October 27th, 2022
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20 years of Desta Mender
2022 marks 20 years since Catherine established Desta Mender, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre....
October 14th, 2022
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International Women’s Day 2022: Break the bias on fistula
As part of International Women’s Day 2022, Hamlin is reflecting on the importance of breaking the bias that obstetric fistula patients face....
March 4th, 2022
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Hamlin’s Rehabilitation and Reintegration Program FY21
“They are all precious to me. For every patient that comes to us we try to give them all the love, care and expertise that we have to help them to get better and back to a normal life.” – Dr Catherine Hamlin Rehabilitation and reintegration in FY21 The team at Hamlin’s Rehabilitation and Reintegration […]...
December 20th, 2021
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Hamlin’s Exciting New Women’s Empowerment Program
Empower women, empower communities Dr Catherine Hamlin believed that treating an obstetric fistula patient isn’t just treating a hole in the bladder, but rather the whole woman with love and care. In 2002, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia opened Desta Mender, Hamlin’s Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre, where long-term fistula patients undergo education classes and learn income-generating skills to […]...
September 16th, 2021
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A Life Restored: Wubanchi’s story
The tragedy of obstetric fistula One of the worst things that can happen to a woman or girl is an obstetric fistula, an internal injury caused by an obstructed labour during childbirth that leaves her incontinent and shunned by her community. The physical consequences of this childbirth injury are debilitating. The hole between the birth […]...
September 2nd, 2021
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Elfinesh’s Life After Fistula
Elfinesh has been running her shop for the last three years, where she sells a wide variety of products needed for life in a rural town in northwestern Ethiopia. You could find just about anything you need in her small shop – from spices to soap, cooking oil to safety pins. Hanging from the roof […]...
August 31st, 2021
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International Women’s Day 2021: Empowering Leaders
For this year’s International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the inspiring women who are building a more equitable and safer world. Notably, we are choosing to spotlight women who inspire and support other women to rebuild and lead, as well as those women who are emerging as leaders in their communities. From inspiring patients to […]...
February 23rd, 2021
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Hamlin’s Rehabilitation & Reintegration Program FY20
“To send women home to experience a normal life, after all they have suffered, is the greatest reward we can have.” – Dr Catherine Hamlin Rehabilitation Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia’s Rehabilitation and Reintegration centre, Desta Mender, embodies the Hamlin Model of Care, which is grounded in a fundamental respect for women with obstetric fistula injuries and […]...
December 10th, 2020
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Fairtrade Fortnight
Behind Fairtrade products are stories of individuals, families and communities across the world who receive a fair price for their commodities. Fairtrade Fortnight commences Friday 7 August and concludes on Thursday 20 August. The fortnight celebrates the empowerment of individuals to control their livelihoods and build a brighter future. The Hamlin Shop promotes unique artisan products and their […]...
August 7th, 2020
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