Fistula Hospital

My dear friend, Tsion, who shares her name with my daughter, took us to visit the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital (link), located just outside the city. It is a lovely and peaceful place, where girls who have suffered greatly are given a second chance at normal life. A fistula can happen to a young girl (sometimes as young as Nebeyou's classmates who read this blog) when she gets married very early and has a baby before her body is ready to have one. It is something that makes her leak urine all the time, so she smells bad. Because of this, she ends up having to stay away from people, and lives a very sad and lonely life. This hospital fixes fistulas, and trains these girls to do new jobs so they can support themselves after they leave. They have a midwife school on the compound, where girls can learn to deliver babies.  Since there are not enough doctors and hospitals in rural Ethiopia, this is a wonderful way to help women.

Tsion and Kebi look at map of where midwives will serve.

some of the new midwives

Years ago, I read the book Hospital By the River (link), by the hospital's founder, Catherine Hamlin, and have wanted to visit ever since, so this was an unexpected treat. She has another book out as well, now, Catherine's Gift (link), which I would also like to read. Tsion told me that Dr. Hamlin was granted honorary Ethiopian citizenship for the work she has done for these girls.

We spent the afternoon taking walks and eating and drinking coffee while enjoying the peaceful surroundings. Nebeyou and Tsion's girls practiced their photography. Here are some of Nebeyou's photos. I think he has talent!

Tsion's girls

path to worker's housing

hill nearby, the hospital has a dairy and chicken farm

I also shopped for handicrafts made by the girls who have been helped here. This young lady made a scarf that I plan to wear this winter.

Not surprisingly, Nebeyou found some new friends and played soccer, and a game where you throw eucalyptus seed pods in the air, and rolled around on the grass mimicking crow sounds (quite convincingly) with the other kids.

kids by offices, midwife training center ahead

Tsion, Kebi and Hermon show Nebeyou the seed pod game

fast friends

I also found a few interesting things to photograph. All in all, wonderful afternoon with good friends at an inspiring place.

strange seed pod with red beans, from a tree

nest found by Tsion's girls

always practicing

angel guardian