Hellen
Uganda
In March 2025, Hellen’s life changed forever. After an emergency hysterectomy following complications after the birth of her fifth child, she was left with a devastating childbirth injury — a vesicovaginal fistula.
Dismissed by doctors and unsure where to turn, Hellen overheard a fistula survivor speaking about treatment options. That moment of connection led Hellen to Terrewode Women’s Community Hospital (TWCH), where she received surgery, but her healing wasn’t only physical.
Through Terrewode’s reintegration program Hellen gained financial literacy, counseling, and small business training. She reflected on her previous fish business and realized it wasn’t sustainable. “I realized that the problem with my fish business was the low demand for it at my location. I also had challenges with record keeping of money to know if I got profit,” she shared. With new skills and confidence, Hellen created a business plan for cattle farming instead. She began purchasing cattle from her community and selling them at weekly markets in three neighboring districts.
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“I sell at three markets and for each cow or bull I get UGX 200,000–UGX 300,000 [$50-80 USD] of profit. I then use the money to buy more cows and save some,” she said proudly.
Today, Hellen is supporting her family and sending her children to school — all because of her own determination and the care and knowledge she received through WFF’s partner program. Hellen’s story reflects the full circle of care that WFF believes is the key to ending preventable childbirth injuries — from survivor-led outreach and quality surgical treatment to economic empowerment and lasting reintegration.
