When we ask supporters how they first heard about our charity, they often tell us that they read Dr Catherine Hamlin’s incredible book, The Hospital by the River. That was the case for Rachel Ahyong, one of our amazing community fundraisers. She told us:
“I read The Hospital by the River many years ago with tears streaming down my face. I'd had ‘easy’ births with my children and couldn't imagine the ordeals the fistula patients endure. I consider a safe birth a human right like clean water and sanitation. The Hamlins’ dedication and especially their care which inspired the Hamlin Model of Care healing the whole woman really struck me.”
Rachel has been supporting Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation for a while but had been thinking about how she could do a charity fundraiser to help women with obstetric fistula injuries in Ethiopia. She recalls:
A charity walking challenge
“I decided to stop thinking and start doing! I chose the charity walking challenge because of its connection to the journey the patients take to get to a Hamlin hospital and I love getting out in nature for a walk. I loved seeing some great locations around my area and beyond and sharing my adventures with friends on Facebook. One friend said the highlight is the ‘scroggin’ I bring on each weekend walk (trail mix including an M&M mix!).”
Rachel’s goal was to walk 15.5 miles a week. She was sometimes worried where the next donation would come from, but she showed her supporters she was being consistent, keeping going and challenging herself. She called it her ‘quest’ - something that takes a while to achieve and is a bit difficult, too.
When we asked Rachel to share some of the highlights of her community fundraising walk, she told us:
Spreading the word
“Sharing the work of Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation and the terrible plight of the patients before they get to treatment. It really effects people who hear about it. I think many people don't realize the length of time the women suffer before finding help and the fact that it’s not just a physical injury but it affects them socially and in other physical ways.”
What is Rachel’s advice to anyone who is considering fundraising for Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation?
“Choose something you like to do that's a bit of effort but takes others on your journey. There is so much information about the Hamlin work to share with others, it makes it easy to find something that will connect with people.”
Thank you to Rachel and all our community fundraisers for your amazing efforts to support women suffering with obstetric fistula.
Why not challenge yourself and walk in solidarity with Ethiopian women?
Join a fun run or simply walk with your friends and family when it suits you, set a goal and fundraise for Hamlin. Your support makes a big impact on the lives of Ethiopian women suffering from devastating childbirth injuries.
Click here to learn more about our fundraising ideas!
