Eliza’s Story
As a young woman, Eliza worked in a tea shop in a northern area of South Sudan near the Nile. It was there she met and fell in love with a fisherman.
They were soon married, despite financial challenges, and began building a life together.
Throughout their marriage, Eliza was pregnant five times, however only two children survived. During her most recent pregnancy in 2018, she recognised the signs of labour and went to the local clinic. The staff knew she needed to go to a hospital, but the family couldn’t afford transport. Eventually, after two days of labour, she delivered a stillborn baby.
Eliza returned home, still weak, and soon realised she couldn’t stop leaking urine. She had an obstetric fistula – a devastating birthing injury usually caused when a woman can’t access emergency care during labour. Eliza returned the clinic, where they referred her to Sudan for treatment. Eliza and her husband saved as much as they could. It took years, but eventually they made the journey to Khartoum in Sudan. Tragically, war broke out and they were forced to flee – making the long journey back home without treatment.
Eliza and Sarah together while recovering from surgery.
Scroll down to read Sarah’s story.
With their savings now gone, they gave up hope.
Eliza managed as best she could, but she withdrew from daily life. Her workmates kept their distance because of the smell. She would use lots of cloths to protect herself and would hurry whenever she was out at the market, not stopping to talk to people. She no longer met with friends or stayed through church, because her clothes would soak through. She lived like this for five years.
Then, after becoming seriously unwell, Eliza returned to the clinic. This time, she was referred to Juba in South Sudan. With roads closed due to fighting, the Lutheran church helped arrange a flight.
At last, Eliza reached care.
Thanks to the support of our donors, Eliza received surgery at a fistula camp with Dr Andrew Browning AM and Dr Lado. Her treatment came at no cost to her family.
Eliza is recovering well and can’t wait to be able to join in church again and visit with her friends. Her future is finally full of hope and joy again. She can’t wait to go home to her family and share the good news.
While at the camp, Eliza met another patient, Sarah. The two quickly formed a close friendship.
Read Sarah’s Story below.
Sarah’s Story
Sarah is from a small town in South Sudan. As a child, she enjoyed going to school and dreamed of becoming a doctor. However, she left before finishing primary school to care for her younger siblings while her mother worked in the fields.
At 19, Sarah married and later gave birth to three children at a nearby health clinic.
Complications arose during her latest pregnancy. After two days of labour, the clinic referred Sarah to a mission hospital seven hour’s drive away. By the time she arrived, the baby had passed away. Sarah had also sustained huge internal injuries and had developed a fistula.
After two months of staying at the hospital, still leaking, Sarah was referred to our supported fistula camp in Juba in March.
When she arrived at camp, Sarah quickly began making friends with other patients. She also enjoyed helping with needs around the hospital.
At fistula camps, women like Eliza and Sarah receive more than just surgery. They find others who truly understand what they’ve been through.
Thankfully, we are expecting a full recovery for both Sarah and Eliza. They are returning home not only with their dignity restored, but with new friends for life.
This healing is possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters.