After losing her baby Salifu lived with the shame of an obstetric fistula for eight months. Her life was filled with hardship, ostracism and isolation until she found hope at Kivulini. This is her story.
Salifu is from a rural area in northern Tanzania. She has six children, but her seventh passed away during labour. Salifu was in labour for two days before she was able to get to a hospital – a devastating reality for many women in remote communities, where access to maternal healthcare is limited. Tragically, Salifu’s baby had already passed away by the time she could get help.
She delivered by Caesarean section, but her ordeal did not end there. In the weeks that followed, Salifu remained on a catheter as she continued to leak urine uncontrollably. A hole had formed between her bladder and birth canal. Salifu had developed an obstetric fistula.
When she returned home, life became more difficult. Salifu’s husband mistreated her, often forcing her to sleep outside and go without food. At times her children were also left hungry, so Salifu did what she could to sell vegetables and get enough money to feed them. She lived with shame and heartbreak, while struggling to provide.
Eventually Salifu heard about fistula treatment at Kivulini Maternity Centre in Arusha. When she arrived, she met other women living with the same injury. For the first time, she realised she was not alone. In fact, there are currently more than one million women in Africa living with a fistula.
Salifu was able to be treated through specialist surgery, along with 31 other women.
At the intensive fistula camp, women also learned more about their condition – that a fistula is not a curse, not their fault, and can be healed. Salifu also took part in classes focused on business and entrepreneurship. These programs are an important part of recovery, helping women rebuild confidence, independence and hope for the future.
Today, Salifu hopes to grow her vegetable business and sell cooked snacks, so she can support herself and her children with greater independence.
Healing is about more than surgery. It is also about restoring dignity, confidence, and hope.
Fistula injuries are preventable through basic midwifery and obstetric care. Your support can ensure women like Salifu can access maternity care when they need it most.
Together, let’s prevent more women from suffering with a preventable birthing injury.