One Woman Stories
Vihemba was in labor with her sixth child, but after two days, the baby’s arm came out as well as the umbilical cord. Vihemba’s family took her to one hospital, who sent her to a second hospital where they did a c-section. After that, her urine was running out by itself. Her family told that her husband would leave her. But her husband wanted to help and took her to Tchincombe farm where they met Dr. Steve Foster. They were delighted to hear that CEML hospital could treat Vihemba’s problem…[Read more]
With her first baby, Maria was in labor for 3 days. She had a cesarean section, but it was too late to save the baby. She noticed that she could no longer control her urine. A nurse told Maria to go to CEML, and here she said that she found hope…[Read more]
Wuanumina overheard two women chatting at the Humpata market. “At Dr. Estevão’s hospital, everything gets cured!” Immediately she thought, “Everything? Even this?” Twenty-three years before, she had lost control of her urine after being in labor for 4 days and finally having a c-section. Her family tried to discourage her as they knew CEML was a private hospital. “Think of the cost!” Undeterred, Wanamina made up her mind and came…[Read more]
We met Josefa during our March 2023 trip to Angola. Josefa was an answer to prayer. Josefa was an answer to hope. Josefa was an Ambassadora, but her journey there was not an easy one…[Read more]
Rosa’s life was changed by the Aftercare program at CEML Hospital in Lubango, Angola. Rosa was about fifty years old when she arrived, and she had lived more than half of her life leaking both urine and feces. She heard about fistula surgeries at CEML from another fistula patient and decided to make the journey…[Read more]
By the age of 17, Maryam was expecting her first baby. Despite trips to multiple facilities when her labor failed to progress, she labored for six days and was left with a fistula. Maryam visited several hospitals over the years. Finally, at age 60, one of her neighbors told her that there was treatment for her problem…[Read more]
Married at 20, Bayarmaa quickly became pregnant, but had a difficult labor. After four days of desperate travel, an unconscious Bayarmaa underwent a cesarean delivery and a stillborn baby was delivered. Bayarmaa was told she would always be incontinent. Nearly ten years later, a Female Community Health Volunteer (FCHV) from their village told Bayarmaa that free treatment was available…[Read more]
Naneka was a 60-year old fistula patient who arrived at our partners in Surkhet, Nepal unwell and poorly nourished. After some time and rest, she gained weight and was more physically ready for her operation. Naneka also knew two other fistula patients who she planned to refer to the program. As for Naneka’s surgery…[Read more]
Mwiani first made contact with the Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) Program administered by our partners, World Relief, in the DR Congo. A widow, she had lost ten children over the years before falling victim to kidnapping and repeated assault. Through the SBGV Program, Mwiani found hope…[Read more]
Twenty-year old Promesse was in trouble when her labor ran longer than usual. With both her wellbeing and the life of her child in danger, Promesse turned to the Wellness Clinic in Goma, DR Congo. Because of the maternal health fund, Promesse received the care she and her baby needed…[Read more]
18-year-old Leocadia labored for three days. The first two health posts she visited were unable to provide her with the care she needed. It is truly a miracle that her baby is alive. After she began to leak, she arrived at Central Evangelical Medical Center of Lubango (CEML) in Angola for fistula treatment…[Read more]
After losing her first baby, Milja’s resulting fistula was repaired and she was dry! Due to the high risk of fistula recurrence, in her next pregnancy, she was advised to deliver differently…[Read more]
Binsa developed a fistula from a birth in 2018. Having eventually been healed from fistula, she delivered her most recent baby via planned cesarean delivery. Binsa has shared her experience with her FCHV and her community…[Read more]
18-year-old Gloria lost both of her parents to the atrocities of war in her village. While living with her uncle, Gloria was raped and became pregnant. With no one to pay her hospital fees, Gloria found the needed resources…[Read more]
Tena is a fistula survivor. She came to our partner hospital from the province of Bie with her cousin, who also had a fistula. After her successful fistula repair surgery, she wanted to become an Ambassadora…[Read more]