Lizata
Burkina Faso
For two long years, Lizata lived with the pain and isolation of obstetric fistula. After a difficult labor and emergency cesarean section in the Ivory Coast, she lost her baby — and soon after, began experiencing uncontrollable leakage. Despite months of hospital visits, no solution came. Her condition forced her to stop working, strained her marriage, and left her feeling abandoned by her community.
But Lizata’s story didn’t end there.
When she returned to her hometown of Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso, a relative connected her with a hospital where she met a representative from ARENA Medical Center. With their support, she traveled over 360 kilometers to Ouagadougou to receive care. There, she was welcomed with compassion and understanding — and for the first time in years, she felt hope.
Just one week later, Lizata received life-changing reconstructive surgery.
Today, she is healed. She’s able to return to her daily activities, reconnect with her community, and looks forward to the future. “My life has completely changed,” she says.
My life has completely changed thanks to reconstructive surgery, I c[an] carry out my daily activities, and I also hope to have a child soon.
Lizata is deeply grateful to the team at ARENA and to everyone who supports their work. Thanks to their care, she has reclaimed her dignity—and her dreams.
