Jasmila Celina Kalama Charo is a 35-year-old lady residing in Malindi. Before speaking to her, I spoke to her caregiver who was very warm. When Jasmila comes to the phone, she sounds frail and tired but agrees to proceed with the interview. Hers is a special story. Jasmila lived a normal, fulfilling life until 2017 …Read More
Category Archives: VVF
I am excited to resume my social activities in the community
Elina Shida Sultan is a 43-year-old mother of eight living in Kasangu, Kilifi County. She is very calm and composed during the interview. She successfully received corrective surgery on 28th March 2022 and is satisfied with the results so far. In October 2020 Elina underwent a myomectomy. This is a surgical procedure to remove fibroids …Read More
My husband kept telling me I am dirty during sexual intercourse
Joan Ndungu is a 46-year-old mother of six. She sounds very happy and energetic during the interview. She successfully received corrective surgery on 25th November and is happy with the results so far. In December 2015 Joan delivered her last child. It was a hospital delivery. She had been in labour for three days. During …Read More
I Was Too Embarrassed To Share My Condition With Anyone
Mary Nyawira is a 65-year-old mother of three. She developed fistula in 2001 while delivering her first child. During her delivery, the attending doctors had to cut her to allow for an easier delivery. She suspects that at the time of suturing her, the doctor may have not completed the job. She, however, is not …Read More
I Was Frustrated. What Had My Life Become?
Immaculate Wambura is a 48-year-old mother of four. Her eldest child is 21 years old while her youngest is 10 years old. She sounds very lively and full of life over the phone. On 13th October 2021, Immaculate’s life changed. She discovered was passing urine through both her rectum and her urethra. She felt like …Read More
I Look Forward To Resuming Church Activities
Wanjiru Mwangi is a 65-year-old mother of seven. Of the seven only five are living. To speak to her, we had to use a translator because she only speaks her vernacular language, Kikuyu. She sounds a bit frail but gives us her consent to proceed with the interview. In 2018, Wanjiru’s life changed. She realized …Read More
My Children Abandoned Me
Celina Nekesa sounds tired, frail even. It could be from anxiety. She is just about to be wheeled into the theatre for her corrective surgery. Celina is a 63 -year old single mother of nine living in Kituni village in Bungoma County. She has sadly lost seven of her children and does not have a …Read More
I Delivered A 4 Kg Baby At Home
Gladys Masiembe is a 52-year-old woman. She comes off as very confident and open. She narrates that she is married and has eight children. She first suffered fistula in 1995 after having her first child. Gladys had prolonged labour and delivered a generally heavier than average baby. The baby was four kilograms heavy. She laboured …Read More
I Took Over The Counter Medication As I Could Not Afford Treatment
Caroline Naliaka Wafula is a 30-year-old mother of four living in Sikanga village in Bungoma County. She sounds aloof but agrees to proceed with the interview. Having dropped out of school in class five, Caroline got married at an early age and resultantly bore children while still young. She had her first child in 2011 …Read More
I Got Fistula As A teen, Lived With It For 33 Years!
Caren 47-year-old Caren is a ball of energy and confidence.You can tell from her speech. Life has, however, not been a bed of roses for her. She gave birth to eight children unfortunately, she has only four living children. Caren has been living with fistula for the past 33 years. She was 14 when she …Read More