THANK YOU, for all you do to support our mission to protect and restore women’s lives by preventing and treating childbirth injuries! Here’s the latest mission progress from our partners:
Burkina Faso
Dr. Itengre and ARENA’s 2023 annual goals with WFF funding:
- 100 fistula surgeries & 90 fistula survivors trained in small business/vocational skills
- 60 community events organized and 150,000 reached with prevention messaging
- 70 community leaders, 100 health workers trained in prevention and patient outreach
2023 progress to date:
- Dr. Itengre has been accredited as an International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) Trainer for fistula surgeons!
- Dr Itengre trained local urologists and a general surgeon in simple fistula operations
- 50+ surgeries and 55+ women completed individual reintegration training
- 80+ community leaders and health workers trained; Approximately 80,000 reached with prevention and treatment awareness messaging
Kenya
Sarah Omega & Let’s End Fistula Initiative 2023 annual goals with WFF funding:
- 543 women in 28 Solidarity Groups (SG) will successfully manage 84 Group and 1,026 Individual Income Generating Activities (IGAs/small businesses)
- 23 Groups will conduct Safe Motherhood outreach education and pregnancy tracking
- 9 Young Champions Fistula Clubs (YCFC) with 108 teacher & student members will conduct fistula prevention outreach and advocacy
2023 progress to date:
- 528 women in 27 Solidarity Groups (SG) run 61 group and 889 Individual businesses
- Businesses valued at 12, 078,113 Kenyan Shillings = $118,412 (animals, crops, etc.)!!
- 11 groups teaching Safe Motherhood & 12 more in training; School Clubs reaching younger audience with prevention and treatment messaging
Niger
Danja Fistula Center’s 2023 annual goals, objectives for WFF funding:
- Fistula surgeries for 170 women
- 100 fistula survivors trained in small business/vocational skills (Reintegration)
- 10,000 community members educated through fistula prevention outreach
2023 progress to date:
- 48 surgeries to date (while Dr. Porter away in training and in US)
- In Tanzania, Dr. Porter completed a 6-week FIGO training course expected to yield a Level 1 fistula surgeon certificate!
- New Prevention Manager (May) has visited 55 clinics to educate 500+ women!
Uganda
Alice Emasu and Terrewode’s 2023 annual goals with WFF funding:
- Surgeries for 150 women (100 at TWCH, 50 at partner facilities)
- 50 fistula survivors trained in small business/vocational skills (Reintegration)
- 120 Solidarity Group members trained after completing individual reintegration
- 25 new Obstetric Fistula Awareness and Advocacy Network (OFAAN) members trained
2023 progress to date:
- 92 surgeries (42 at Terrewode Women’s Community Hospital and 50 at Partner hospitals) with physical therapy included in their treatment package
- 33 survivors received individual vocational skills training
- 80 Solidarity Group members trained for advocacy, group economic empowerment
Ethiopia
Drs. Zehara and Mohammed, the final members to graduate (February 2024) of the current Urogynecology Fellowship class, continue work on their research projects. WFF is planning our first post-war trip to Ethiopia: a team will assess program status, reconnect with partners, Mekelle University & Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, and recommend next steps.
I love connecting with supporters like you to deliver progress reports personally. Please email info@wffund.org with questions or to schedule a time at your convenience!
Sincerely,
Soja Orlowski
Executive Director, Worldwide Fistula Fund
