A Film Fights Fistula Update

Remember last month when we posted an article about an organization that’s using film screenings to fight fistula? Healing Hands of Joy

is using an ingenious multimedia approach to help women in Ethiopia prevent and recover from a debilitating condition that can cause women years of serious health problems and social isolation.  When people sponsor a film screening of the Emmy Award winning Documentary, A Walk To Beautiful and raise $350, 100% of that money goes to the community of a fistula survivor in Ethiopia to fund an educational film screening/community event called Fistula is not a Curse. 

 This screening provides an opportunity to educate other women in her community about fistula and giving birth with a skilled attendant so they can more effectively prevent fistulas. Here’s an update Healing Hands of Joy sent from one of those screenings.  The fistula survivor, Birhan, has gone from being a patient to being one of the most inspirational women in her community.  

Tonight we went to Birhan Gabrihat's village Felagala Selam to screen "Fistula is Not A Curse". Birhan is a Safe Motherhood Ambassador.  Birhan brought 83 women to the Health Center for safe skilled deliveries who otherwise would have delivered at home. Birhan and representatives from the local health bureau and Mekelle Fistula hospital spoke to the crowd of a few hundred village elders, women, teens and children. Birhan is pictured below along with Safe Motherhood Ambassador Beriha Redda.