Catherine

Catherine was married at the age of 22.  She lived with fistula for 32 years, following a prolonged labour in her first pregnancy.  Not knowing what to do Catherine went to the traditional birth attendant, who was not able to deliver her baby.  She was taken to the hospital a day later and by the time the doctors operated on her she had already had lost the baby.  A week late, after she was discharged from the hospital, she noted she was leaking urine.

Over the years Catherine visited many hospitals but they were unable to help her. Catherine’s husband left her a few years later, as he could not live with her in the condition she was in.  Catherine remarried, to her current husband.  He accepted her the way she was and he was willing to take care of her because he loved her.  They have been together for 20 years.

In Catherine was visited by a patient ambassador who brought her to the centre at the beginning of 2020. Catherine was operated on the same month.

During the 32 years she had fistula she felt so alone, she was not able to move around in her village freely.  People in her village use to talk ill about her and did not want to be near her as they said she smelled.  Her own friends used to laugh at her and this made her depressed.  She felt sad all the time. Now, Catherine is a happy woman, she is free from fistula and living her best life.  She is enjoying doing the things she loved and missed.

“I am very grateful that FCC has cured me from fistula.  I am at peace and living my best life, You have changed my life.  You have transformed me into a new woman. I am grateful for the wonderful welcome I received by every staff at the centre.  I will forever be grateful.”