2 Causes

Many of you have asked how you can help the people of Ethiopia. Those who haven’t asked, well I am sure you were wondering and haven’t gotten around to it yet. Even if you are not curious, please read on, this entry is full of important stuff.

I visited the Hamlin Fistula Hospital today. Most of you who have ever spent time with me know what a fistula is, but in case you don’t here is a brief explanation. Here in Ethiopia, and in much of the developing world, women often do not have access to, or can’t afford, to give birth with a doctor or trained health worker. This can result in a variety of horrible effects, including death due to hemorrhaging or infection. It can also lead to prolonged birth, lasting for days, and sometimes up to a week. The baby almost always dies and while the labor continues the womb pushes on the bladder or bowels, and can often cause tearing. This hole is known as a fistula, and it causes incontinence, with the woman unable to control her urine or feces. If this weren’t bad enough it is accompanied by a horrible spell, which often leads to women being shunned by their families and communities, forced to live in isolation in the edges of villages. Women often develop physical disabilities due to lack of movement or drop foot. This is where the Fistula hospital comes in. A simple surgery is all that is needed to fix the fistula, but it is something most women in Ethiopia can’t afford. The hospital offers it for free, allowing women to stay for free while they receive the surgery and recover, and even longer if they need more than one surgery. All they ask is that they tell others about the hospital, and they give birth to any further children there, with a trained doctor.

The place is amazing. I’ve heard about it: in school, from Nicholas Kristoff and Oprah (who is a major donor) and it was amazing to see in person. Its set on quite land filled with flowers, with different buildings housing pre-op, surgery, recovery, maternity as well as a school, a physical therapy center and a management of incontinence center (Oprah’s building). While beautiful, the smell is overwhelming and it is still stuck in my nasal memory. While the place is well funded, there are so many women in need of the surgery they are always in need of more. If you are interested in donating, or learning more, check out the website or the website for the fistula foundation which contributes to the hospital here: http://www.hamlinfistula.org.au/ as well as several other equally amazing, but less known ones. http://www.fistulafoundation.org/ . Even better, the Gold’s are sending me a package soon, to contain a dog crate and candy for a starving Canadian-American couple- but it can be filled with more. If you would like to send something to help the women out you can email me and I can give you the address in the U.S. to send it to. What is most in need is baby clothing, as most people don’t realize there is a birthing center. All women’s clothing, including stockings, would be welcome. If, just by chance, there are any super knitters out there, the women knit, so if you have any leftover “stash” please send that along. And I think a baby hat or sweater could be a great activity for a national knitting convention!

Wait, there is more. As I’ve mentioned before, one of the big projects I am working on here is research on the domestic workers. They are an extremely vulnerable and isolated group, often getting paid nothing or next to nothing (i.e. just about slaves) and are usually from rural areas and know no one in Addis. I’ve held several focus group discussions at some night schools that target domestic workers, and the findings have thus far been heartbreaking. Without going into to much detail, several have faced attempted rape by employers, sons of employers or friends of employers. They have to keep working for these people, as they have nowhere else to go. Two of the participants in my group last night were TWELVE! I just kept thinking when I was 12 my biggest concerns were the Kate Spade backpack I wanted and to not wanting to go to Hebrew school anymore, and here were these girls, forced to work in strangers homes for little or no money! Most came to Addis to escape early marriage, or because they were told they could continue school! Once they arrive they find they must work, for relatives or through brokers. And the girls I’ve spoken to may be considered “lucky” because their employers let them attend night school. Many other employers don’t. A coworker and myself have made this cause a top priority, though we aren’t sure just what to do yet. If you have any ideas please send them along. For the time being, there is a discussion of teaming with some local women’s shelters, to provide a safe space for these women (or in many cases girls) who have nowhere else to go. If you do send me women’s clothes, and the shelter, even our own, or others, is happening, I may donate some to that. If you have a preference, please indicate it. And please look forward to a further call for donations to this cause once we figure out exactly what we will be doing (around the holidays, perhaps).

I know it is rude and a bit pushy but so little goes so far here. Its something that we all forget (I do it at home, and even here), caught up in the day to day stresses of life. Its incredible that used clothing or a few dollars could have such value here. Please help me add to that value.