First of all, the weekend was great!

Secondly, #HappyMonday y’all, we kick off this brand-new week by focusing on the powerful impact of a strong support network.

Obstetric Fistula not only impacts the woman but deeply aches the hearts of those within her immediate circle as well.

31-year-old Emily Awuor is a fistula survivor from Kalalani village, Busia County, the mother of two and form one drop-out has been through hell and back, battling uncontrollable leakage of urine and the loss of her marriage marked the most difficult periods of her life.

Emily’s life had a drastic turnaround when she met our field officer- Fatuma Ramadhan. She was successfully repaired at Gynocare Women’s Hospital, our psychosocial support team was on top of her case, following up on her to ensure her overall well-being. She was linked to a support group and later joined our rehabilitation and reintegration program.

The aspiring hairdresser shares, “Not everyone stuck around during the journey. While I still don’t understand why some walked away, especially my closest siblings, I am grateful for those who drew close and the unexpected arrivals of support that I received from WADADIA-they did walk every step of the way with me. I thought I would be alone forever, joining the support group and meeting other women on the same journey and with similar stories to mine brought me healing and was a game changer.

I always look forward to our support group sessions that entail counseling. Sitting with others and watching their determination and resilience to fight inspires me each day. I am so grateful for those who open up their hearts with us sharing their journeys, praying with us, encouraging us, and giving us tips along the way. Every time I listen to the story of other fistula survivors, I feel like we heal a little more, too. They are bold and amazing humans.

These experiences are why I choose to share my story out loud. I want others to know that it is ok and very liberating to share vulnerable moments in your journey. If there’s another women out there suffering in silence, it is helpful for them to hear my experience. It’s been very helpful in my healing to share my experience, I am humbly grateful to WADADIA and Fistula Foundation for coming to my aid, I sure am very privileged to be dry and normal and it makes me want to share my story even louder”.

Are you eager to give back and make a meaningful impact to promote wellness and mental health? Consider a donation to https://wadadia-nonprofits.org/donate/ and be part of a cause that transforms lives.