Tremendous Commitment

A message from Carolyn Hardy: Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation

It is almost one year since Healing Lives was published telling the untold story of the inspiring friendship between Mamitu Gashe and Catherine Hamlin. Mamitu was by Catherine’s side for 50 years. These two formidable women, together with the dedicated Ethiopian clinical team at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, made great progress in the fight to eradicate obstetric fistula from Ethiopia. 

Over the past very difficult 12 months, Mamitu and the Hamlin Clinical Team continued that fight with tremendous commitment. Hamlin’s new Patient Identification Program is systematically finding women with untreated fistula injuries and connecting them to Hamlin hospitals for treatment. We have already seen a large increase in the number of surgeries at Hamlin. The 2022 program year forecasts yet another increase. 

Hamlin’s new Women’s Empowerment Program also launched this year, providing the opportunity for former fistula patients who need help to return to Desta Mender, Hamlin's Rehabilitation and Reintegration Center, for an intensive three-month vocational training program which aims to support them into employment. 

Last month, a new class of midwifery students commenced their four-year BSc in Midwifery at the Hamlin College of Midwives. Next month, Hamlin will welcome the first class of midwives returning to commence Hamlin’s new ground-breaking MSc in Midwifery made possible by your support. 

I hope you enjoy reading this newsletter about the progress your support has enabled. 

Thank you for all you do to help Hamlin. 

We hope you are keeping well and staying safe. 

Carolyn Hardy
Chief Executive Officer
Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation