Aisha is a young woman who came to a fistula camp in Tanzania earlier this year. At first she was quiet, extremely shy and her eyes were full of sadness.
As a girl, Aisha loved school. However after primary school, her father refused to allow her to continue on to secondary school. Instead, she had to work as a housemaid and later married when she was 19. She soon fell pregnant.
Aisha experienced labor pains for two days before being taken to a nearby health clinic, who then referred her to the closest government hospital. There the doctors, after attempting a vacuum delivery, eventually performed a C-Section. Sadly, Aisha’s baby had already passed away.
Two days after the surgery, Aisha began leaking urine so the hospital kept her on a catheter, thinking it would heal on its own. While in the hospital, Aisha also developed a serious infection (sepsis) from the C-section wound, and her stomach swelled. Aisha underwent another operation, and her recovery was long and painful.
When she finally went home, Aisha had to have her wound cleaned daily at the local health clinic.
During this challenging time, her husband abandoned her and refused to help with medical bills. His family also rejected her, saying she was too sick to remain in the marriage. Instead, Aisha’s mother cared for her and paid for the bills, but Aisha lost hope and confidence in herself. Her husband remarried and Aisha’s mother had to make sure Aisha didn’t harm herself.
All this time Aisha continued to leak urine. She sought treatment at another hospital, where a gynaecologist explained that her condition, a fistula, could be treated at Kivulini Maternity Centre in Arusha. Her transport fares were covered and she was able to get to Kivulini for treatment at a fistula camp with Dr Andrew.
Aisha is hopeful about her recovery and looks forward to living a normal life again. She dreams of getting married in the future and starting a small business, such as making soap and cooking snacks to support herself, her mother, and her siblings.
Thank you for supporting young girls like Aisha to have their dignity and their hopes restored.