Rita Kusimba, now 40, suffered from an obstetric fistula, a debilitating childbirth injury, for 5 years. She endured pain, stigma and social isolation before receiving free reconstructive surgery from a #EndFistula awareness, a Wadadia-supported campaign.
As a person with disability who comes from an underprivileged background, Rita has experienced many barriers from not completing her education, not being eligible for manual jobs to finding extreme difficulties in securing a life partner.
In March of 2021, everything changed for Rita who hails from Bumbo, Uganda- Kenya boarder. During a community outreach led by Wadadia team in the area, Rita’s mother got the message and shared with her. After screening, Rita was referred to Cherangany nursing hospital where she was successfully repaired.
Wadadia puts an emphasis on making her feel comfortable and respected as a member of a diverse and productive workforce. We welcome Rita’s diversity, positively contributing to her overall health.
Rita credits her mother, Cherangany hospital and Wadadia team both staff and fellow trainers for her own successes, saying that she couldn’t have made it as far as she has without their support and patience. Today, Rita is one of the very best tailoring trainees in the department.
Rita says counseling, life skills and vocational training is empowering and reinforces her ability to live independently. She feels secure and better informed about her sexual reproductive health rights and she couldn’t be more happier.
Stories such as Rita’s are reminders that disability is not inability.
