Comments on: Highlighting the Fistula Foundation

By: Sei

Sei — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:51:37 +0000

Thank you so much for posting this.

In my work, I deal with refugee issues, and the stories women tell of the long-term physical effects (mostly fistulas and secondary infections caused by the fistulas) of rapes they’ve experienced or from childbirth after infibulation…well, they’re enough to give me nightmares.

By: Katherine Kramer

Katherine Kramer — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:09:14 +0000

I know of this hospital and hope to volunteer there in the next few years. I did several medical missions, mostly in the caribbean and did get to fix fistulas there, among other things.

By: Aunti Disestablishmentarian

Aunti Disestablishmentarian — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:05:57 +0000

A few years back, I read about Mamitu Gashe, an Ethopian woman who became one of the most skilled fistula surgeons in the world, training medical students in the procedure, and performing thousands herself. She was from a small village, and was illiterate. Turns out she works (worked?) out of the same hospital Dr. Hamlin set up. I've heard little else about her, other than N. Kristof's NYT article, and a few humble mentions of her in the FF newsletter, some recognition within the Etheopian medical community, and am wondering why more people have not heard of her; A case of Kristof's manufacturing an underdog feel-good story, racism within FF? Other factors? From outside the situation, we will not have a clear picture, but I wanted to draw attention to Mamitu Gashe's inspirational achievements and contribution to women's health.

By: Cooker

Cooker — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:57:53 +0000

Wow. That is amazing. At work we are going to do a donation raffle instead of exchanging re-gifted crap for the holidays this year. We’re going to sell scraps of paper for a buck a pop to staff and for each scrap they get to write the name of an organization they support on it. Then whoever is wearing the most absurd festive ensemble will get to draw the winning organization and they get the pot. I will definitely buy a scrap for the Fistula Foundation.

By: Chally

Chally — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:58:30 +0000

Thanks for the info, lilacsigil, including about the colonialist overtones, I will have to find out more :S.

By: lilacsigil

lilacsigil — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:10:19 +0000

I donate monthly, and it's also tax deductible in Australia if you donate more than $2. While I sometimes feel uncomfortable with the strong colonialist overtones of some of the things Dr Hamlin says, the work that the hospital does is so vital, and so vastly under-resourced, that I donate. Thanks for posting about this.

By: James Martin

James Martin — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:26:39 +0000

One interesting way to donate to the Fistula Foundation would be to buy this book, doing so would send all profit to the Fistula Foundation. “One Dimensional Woman”, by Nina Power. It is from Zero Books and can be purchased from Verso or Amazon. The book was just released and it asks many interesting questions about Feminism and it’s co-optation by Sarah Palin, etc.

By: Spilt Milk

Spilt Milk — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:02:14 +0000

Dr Catherine Hamlin is one of my personal heroes. Every time I read about obstetric fistulas I want to cry – this time I shall donate instead. What a worthy issue to bring to wider attention Chally.