Vicky
Uganda
A Fistula at 14 years old
In the Kasese district of Uganda and at the tender age of 14, Vicky became pregnant by her then 20 year-old boyfriend. Vicky and her peers lacked women’s health or sex education. Her friends said skipping periods was normal. After her first trimester, a test confirmed Vicky’s pregnancy. Her boyfriend told her to have an abortion and then abandoned Vicky upon learning of her parents’ intention to have him arrested for “defilement.”
I disclosed only to my closest friends … and they brought me herbs to abort… but all in vain. I had to inform my parents who were too disappointed in me.
At home, Vicky’s parents would shame her in front of her sister: Don’t be like Vicky. At school, her growing belly made her the object of ridicule and Vicky dropped out. Vicky attended only a few antenatal appointments before beginning 24 hours of obstructed labor at home. Rushed to the hospital, the baby was delivered using forceps because Vicky’s 14-year-old pelvis was not ready to pass a full-term baby alone. Her baby girl survived.
After delivery I started passing stool and urine through the birth canal without control… the nurse…said that if I sit in warm water, it will be fine.
Nothing was fine. For the next nine (9) years, Vicky leaked urine and stool. She tried to conceal her fistula with heavy sanitary pads and strong perfumes. Then, Vicky heard Terrewode’s radio announcement of their fistula camp at nearby Kagando Hospital. Terrewode determined she had dual fistula, and her surgery was successful!
I am so thankful that Terrewode…supports women like us to get treatment…I will be going through a reintegration training in various skills at Terrewode so that am socially and economically empowered… thank you for always calling to follow up on me to see I heal very well and counseled…
Vicky is now 24 and hopes to become a fashion designer.
