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A change-agent 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. 

When Kelemi and her husband found out she was pregnant, they were very happy. Like every woman in her remote village, Kelemi planned to give birth at home but after three excruciating days in labor, it was clear something was very wrong. Her family made the long journey to the nearest hospital. 

Tragically, Kelemi’s baby was stillborn and she sustained an obstetric fistula, leaving her incontinent. When she returned home, Kelemi became very depressed and spent the next seven years suffering in shame and isolation. 

Kelmei 2 | Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation | Together we can eradicate obstetric fistula in Ethiopia.

Your support finally brought hope and healing to Kelemi

Kelemi made her way to Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital with another woman with obstetric fistula from her village. Kelemi received free life-changing surgery and returned to her community determined to educate women about the importance of visiting a health center during pregnancy and childbirth. 

“The [Hamlin] staff helped me heal psychologically. 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.” - Kelemi 

When Kelemi became pregnant for a second time, she regularly visited her local health center. She returned to Hamlin’s Yirgalem Fistula Hospital for the safe cesarean delivery of her beautiful baby. 

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All rights reserved 2024 Catherine Hamlin Foundation (R) (ABN58159647499)
Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation is fiscally sponsored by Myriad USA (formerly King Baudouin Foundation United States - KBFUS) (EIN582277856) and Myriad Canada (RCO769784893RR0001)

Photography credits to Cameron Bloom, Nigel Brennan, Mary F. Calvert, Kate Geraghty, Amber Hooper, Joni Kabana, Johannes Remling and Martha Tadesse.

Patient names have been changed to protect the identities of those we help.