Desta Mender Archives

Groundbreaking initiative places women’s empowerment first, as Dr Catherine Hamlin’s ‘Joy Village’ turns 20 years old.

Press 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 Read More

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 Read More

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. We want to see a world free of stereotypes and discrimination. A world where access to equitable and holistic healthcare empowers women to determine their own futures. International Women’s Day 2022 The theme […]...

March 4th, 2022 Read More

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 Read More

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 Read More

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 Read More

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 Read More

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 Read More

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 Read More

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 Read More

Complete and Compassionate Care

Ensuring every woman has the opportunity to thrive Each and every woman who arrives at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is provided complete and compassionate care. Based on Dr Catherine Hamlin’s values, the Hamlin Model of Care remains a core part of the organisation today. For 61 years, Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has provided an all-encompassing approach to […]...

July 26th, 2020 Read More

Mazaa’s Second Chance at Life

Hope for her future Hamlin’s rehabilitation and reintegration program is a key part of the Hamlin Model of Care. All women undergoing treatment in a Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia hospital are assessed for their reintegration needs and have access to literacy, numeracy and vocational classes to help them once they return to their communities. One of […]...

July 26th, 2020 Read More

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