Leaving a Legacy

Healing and hope for future generations of Ethiopian women

Naming 'Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation Fund' in your Will (also known as a legacy) is a simple, powerful and flexible way to make an enduring commitment to Ethiopian women.

A gift in your Will - or living trust – will transform the lives of future generations of Ethiopian women through the prevention and treatment of devastating childbirth injuries. 

A gift in your Will can allow you to make a bigger impact than you ever thought possible. Whether large or small, your gift will ensure sustainable funding for our life-changing work - and it is greatly appreciated. 

Here’s how your planned gift could help Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia into the future.

• $36,000 could restore the lives and dignity of 40 women through standard fistula surgery
• $100,000 could restore the lives and dignity of 40 women through complex fistula surgery

Maree is proud to leave her legacy gift

Maree has been supporting Hamlin for many years and is Mom to a son and daughter and Nannie (grandmother) to two beautiful grandchildren. She thinks it’s a ‘no brainer’ that a gift in her Will can make such a monumental difference in women’s lives.

“The thought of any woman experiencing this devastating injury and the life lead because of it is simply horrifying. If my simple gift contributes to a better life for her and, by extension, her community, I’m thrilled to be a small part,” says Maree.

“I know my family, particularly my daughter, are more than happy to know I’ve left a gift in my Will which will help improve mothers’ lives.”

“We are a global community. Women are the backbone of communities when they are strong and healthy. We need to look beyond our borders and contribute to the benefit of everyone,” says Maree.

How to leave a legacy gift

You can bequeath a specific dollar amount, property to be sold, or a percentage of your residual estate. Your estate will receive an estate tax charitable deduction for the amount of the gift from KBFUS.

KBFUS can provide you with sample language to include in your last Will and testament to make a charitable bequest to your existing legacy fund or to establish a new legacy fund at KBFUS.

If you are based in the US or Canada and are interested in leaving a bequest to Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation or would like more information, please email [email protected].

Please also email us if you have already named Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation Fund in your Will. By letting us know, we can thank you, record your planned gift and ensure you receive regular updates about the programs your gift will support.

Your legacy gift can empower families like Leyat's

Leyat sustained serious obstetric fistula injuries during the birth of her third child. Sadly, her baby did not survive. 

Leyat and her husband Amarech spent everything in search of a cure. She eventually received complex diversion surgery at Hamlin’s Addis Ababa fistula hospital and completed skills training at Desta Mender, Hamlin’s rehabilitation and reintegration center.

Today, Leyat and her family run their own successful business and are living comfortably in a new house. “You brought happiness back to our home and I can’t thank you enough,” says Amarech.

Email for more information

“Bequests help to ensure that future generations of Ethiopian women and girls who suffer   the debilitating effects of obstetric fistula will receive the treatment they need.  Thank you for considering Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation in your Will.”

Dr Catherine Hamlin