A heartfelt thanks
The last 12 months have been challenging and through it all our team at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia continued to work towards Dr Catherine Hamlin’s vision of eradicating obstetric fistula in Ethiopia, providing surgical treatment and care for the world’s most vulnerable women.
Thank you for supporting them. You reached deep and showed us once again how much you care about Ethiopia’s extraordinary women. It has been over a year since Catherine passed the torch on and there is still much to do as we move forward on the path to eradicate fistula from Ethiopia completely.
Every fistula repair, every baby born, every time a woman returns to her community to start anew is testament to Catherine’s belief that every woman matters. 2021 transpired to bring untold challenges. Catherine would have been proud of the way the Hamlin team have pulled together to deliver patient care and move long-term projects forward in very trying circumstances.
There was joy as we celebrated Mamitu returning to work with the surgical team after dedicating herself to Catherine’s care for many years. We were thrilled to see another class of midwives graduate from the Hamlin College of Midwives as well as welcoming our first cohort into Hamlin’s new Master of Clinical Midwifery degree.
Across the world, we have witnessed the heroic acts of frontline health workers, and the Hamlin Clinical Team is no exception. Thank you for all you did to support our work this year and a special thank you must go to our committed community of Hamlin Regular Givers. We couldn’t do it without you.
Catherine never stopped believing in the power of love and community support.
We wish you a safe and happy Christmas and a bright and communal 2022.
Carolyn Hardy
CEO, Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation
Thank you message from our Board of Directors
2021 has been a year of great contrasts. COVID-19 has continued to present many challenges both nationally and internationally, and we are very mindful that the pandemic has greatly affected both Hamlin staff and patients in Ethiopia, as well as our valued supporters across the world.
It is very pleasing to see that Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia has so far navigated the pandemic through the extraordinary efforts of clinicians and staff, the commitment of the senior management team, and the unwavering support of our donors.
In March 2021, we marked the one-year anniversary of Dr Catherine Hamlin’s passing: a time of great sadness was also an opportunity to celebrate an extraordinary life, well lived. The work of both Catherine and her husband, Dr Reg Hamlin, continues to live on through the Hamlin Model of Care and the best practice midwifery courses taught at the Hamlin College of Midwives.
We are proud to see that the Board, management, and medical team of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia are continuing to ensure that Catherine’s vision of the eradication of obstetric fistula across Ethiopia is pursued with determination and vigor.
Despite the many challenges faced over the past 12 months, your support never wavered for the work in Ethiopia, and we are so grateful for your ongoing care.
The staff at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia continue to prioritize and support the many women who have presented at the hospitals and clinics with fistula through this time. We know they wouldn’t be able to continue with their efforts without the thousands of you who give their time and funds – thank you.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation, I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful festive season and a safe, healthy, and happy 2022.
We are confident that 2022 will see even greater growth for Hamlin as we continue the important work of tackling fistula and childbirth injuries across Ethiopia. We also look forward to a world that is happier and healthier for all.
Thank you again for your support.
Julie White
Chair, and the Board of Directors at Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation
Click here to read more from our 2021 Year in Review Newsletter.
