Due to the ongoing COVID pandemic, Dignity:Liberia is not leading a team of Dignity Advocates to Liberia this February.  What a difference from February 2020.  Last year’s team taught over 173 individuals, mostly women, how to sew reusable menstrual pads.  We coordinated a menstrual cup distribution day with the United States Peace Corps.  We selected the land for our maternity waiting home, House of Hope and Dignity, and signed paperwork toward its purchase.  I also had the honor of interviewing a number of fistula survivors for our series, In a Fistula Survivor’s Voice. 
 
This pandemic has caused a lot of plans to be altered, but it has not stopped Dignity:Liberia from moving forward in building House of Hope and Dignity.  Board president, Kathi Gutierrez, and board member, Becky Mueller Huner, left for Liberia on February 3 in order to finalize the purchase of the land.  They will make arrangements to clear the land and meet with an architect.  There will be a ground-breaking ceremony which we’ll share with you at a future date.  Kathi and Becky will, of course, visit the Phebe Rehabilitation Center as well.  Oh, how I wish I could be there!
 
Although I am not physically in Liberia in February 2021, I am reliving my memories from February 2020.  On that trip I also interviewed Emma Kennedy Katakpah, Clinical Coordinator for Fistula with Liberia’s Ministry of Health.  Last April I posted part of her interview, in which she shared Survivor Success Stories.  I thought you would enjoy hearing more of what she had to say as part of this month’s blog.   

Like many Americans, my husband and I include our pets in our Christmas celebration, hanging stockings, and giving them presents.  This year, however, our dog, Russell, wasn’t feeling well on Christmas Day.  We thought he just had an upset tummy and took him to our veterinarian the next day.  She directed us to an emergency veterinary specialty hospital, as Russell had pancreatitis and gallbladder problems.  She first called a hospital near our house, but being the day after Christmas, there was no one to do the ultrasound, so she sent us to one that was farther away.  After he was discharged from the hospital and returned home, I couldn’t help but think how fortunate we are to have these options.  It made me think that many people around the world don’t have access to the same level of care that Russell had.
 
Many women in rural Liberia turn to a traditional tribal midwife (TTM), who lacks medical training, to assist in their delivery.  By the time they or their family or the TTM realize the birth isn’t going smoothly, it has become an emergency.  Unfortunately, rural Liberians often don’t have the option of going to a nearby hospital.  They have to travel a great distance for assistance. 
 
“Farther away” for us was about a 30-minute drive in our car over smooth roads (maybe 40 minutes in heavy traffic).  For the rural Liberian woman, transportation is a big expense.  “Farther away” can be several hours over unpaved roads and paved ones gouged out with potholes.  Travel may be on a crowded bus, in a wheelbarrow, or on the back of a family member.   
 
Once the family arrives at the medical facility, there’s the matter of payment.  Before Russell was treated, we were required to pay 75% of the estimated cost in advance.  For us, it was a matter of providing credit card information.  This wouldn’t be the case for the family arriving at the clinic or hospital.  Cash payment would be required and would likely be a significant percentage of the family’s income.  Even returning for follow-up care is a challenge for the rural Liberian woman.
 
Per the American Veterinary Medical Association, Americans spent $95.7 billion on pet services and products in 2019.  Per PetBusines.com, the average American dog owner spends $153.08 per month on their dog.  If you are one of those Americans, please consider making a donation of just 10% of that amount to Dignity:Liberia for our maternity waiting home, House of Hope and Dignity.  Proper pre-natal care and education is key to preventing a routine birth from becoming a medical emergency that can result in the loss of a child and a fistula. 

Kathy Beth Stavinoha
Kathy Beth lives and works in Austin, TX.  She graduated from high school in Monrovia, Liberia in 1977.

Christmas will be here in just 10 days.  I admit that on Christmas Day, I tend to focus on the exchange of gifts with my husband, but during Advent, I love to hear the prophesies of a Savior and read about the Holy Family. 
 
According to scripture, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to be counted in a census.  I imagine it was very difficult for Mary, who was far along in her pregnancy.  To make matters worse, there was no place for them to stay, so she and Joseph ended up sleeping in a stable, which was also where Mary gave birth.
 
My husband and I have a variety of Nativity sets displayed around the house.  Some depict a very clean and sanitary setting with a smiling Jesus surrounded by animals.  If you’ve been around cows and horses and chickens, you know the stable couldn’t have been that clean. 
 
I’ve interviewed a number of fistula survivors and many of them also gave birth in unhygienic settings.  Others, after being in labor for 4, 5, even 6 days, tried to make the difficult journey to a clinic to give birth.  Sadly, I met these women because their prolonged labor and delivery resulted in a fistula. 
 
Dignity:Liberia plans to make room for pregnant women to stay in close proximity to professional medical support where they will receive prenatal care and nutrition.  That “room” will be our maternity waiting home, House of Hope and Dignity.
  
The home will need to be stocked with supplies for the women who stay there.  Many of these items can be found on our Amazon wish list.  This Christmas, if you are able, please consider making a purchase from this list. 
 
In closing, I would like to include a few lines from one of my favorite carols, In the Bleak Midwinter, based on the poem by Cristina Georgina Rosetti:
 
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what can I give Him?
Give Him my heart.
 
Merry Christmas!

 
Kathy Beth Stavinoha
Kathy Beth lives and works in Austin, TX.  She graduated from high school in Monrovia, Liberia in 1977.

I think we all can agree that 2020 has been a challenging year.  I have had my moments of being stressed, being depressed, and being unable to sleep.  Yet, despite this, I have been blessed this year and am thankful. 

As an organization, Dignity:Liberia has been blessed as well.  We give our thanks to all of you for your ongoing interest and support.

I recently received an email from my friend, Dignity:Liberia secretary Linda Thornsberry, who wrote that she and Kathi had packed 4 boxes for shipping.  The items they packed were made by ladies at her church who are part of the First Baptist Church Lee’s Summit Crafter’s Group.  The group’s leader, Jane Pritchett, organized a group of 10 – 15 women who generously shared their time, talent, and resources to make the following items:

• 22 dolls
• Items for feminine hygiene kits:
  • 58 bags
  • 114 shields
  • 300 cloth pads
• 30 baby blankets
• 20 pillowcases
• 30 maternity dresses

Martha Griffin, with whom I served in Liberia this past February, was a great consultant to the Crafter’s Group.  She also sewed, embroidered, and provided labels.  We are so grateful to these caring ladies.  We give thanks for them and for all of you who have supported us by making us your charitable organization on Amazon Smile, by making a purchase from our wish list, by making cash gifts, by donating medical supplies, by praying for us, by serving as Dignity Advocates, by liking us on Facebook and sharing our posts, by donating talents, such as updating our website, and working behind the scenes.

Our friends in Liberia celebrated Thanksgiving earlier this month.  Next week, we celebrate in the United States.  Yes, we give thanks, and we have prepared a short video to express our appreciation.  Happy Thanksgiving! 

Several years ago, a friend told me that in order to get airline points, she charges everything she buys and pays the full balance each month.  Soon after, I started doing the same and have since taken many a “free” trip!  
 
During the Covid pandemic, I’ve started doing more of my shopping online, much of it on Amazon.  I recently noticed that in all of 2019 I placed a total of 29 orders on Amazon, but in the past 6 months I’ve made 44 purchases!  Each order has added airline points to my account.  One day I’ll be able to travel again and the points will come in handy! 
 
But did you know that these purchases have also benefited Dignity:Liberia?  That’s right!  Amazon smile donates 0.5% of the price of each eligible purchase to the charity of my choice, which happens to be Dignity:Liberia!

In fact, all of my purchases over a number of years have resulted in Dignity:Liberia receiving $35.34.  The purchases of all of the people who support Dignity:Liberia comes to $1,068.72.  We receive a check every quarter.

Would you like to get in on the action?  Here’s how: on your first visit to smile.amazon.com, select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping.  We are listed as Dignity Liberia (without the colon).  It is that simple!!!  You can even get the Amazon Smile App if you use your phone to shop.
 
But wait!  There’s more!  We recently updated our Amazon Wish List, Containers of Hope Supply Needs.  It includes numerous items that will help healthcare providers address the treatment and recovery needs of women and girls with fistula.  We also are accepting items for our maternity waiting home, education and general assistance.   The item you purchase to help in Liberia, will also generate a cash gift for Dignity:Liberia!  Our next container will be shipped this month, but we accept items year-round. 

What a deal!  I like getting as much “bang for my buck” as possible.  By buying an item from our wish list, I support my favorite organization with supplies and a cash gift and I get airline points!  I hope you can help as well.
 
Go to Dignity:Liberia’s Amazon Wish List to donate to our Containers of Hope.  For more information about our medical supply needs, please contact us.
 
Thank you so much!

A few years ago, as I tried to read the list of ingredients on a can of cat food, I groused to my husband, “Well if they want you to be able to read this, why don’t they make it bigger?”  It wasn’t too long afterward that it occurred to me that I might need reading glasses.  The next time I was in a discount store, I stopped by the display of reading glasses and bought a pair.  Problem solved.  I’ve actually purchased readers of different strengths for needle work and computer usage and have a pair in almost every room of the house.  While my deteriorating vision is frustrating, it is easily rectified.
 
While going through pictures for the May 14th blog, Sewing Reusable Menstrual Pads, I ran across the above picture of a lady reading a pamphlet.  I asked Kay Green about it.  She told me that there were always some students who could not see to thread their needles.  The teachers watched out for them and advised her when they noticed a student struggling. 

Kay had a supply of reading glasses and used the only thing she had, which was a Daily Bread devotional, to determine what strength the lady needed.  She had her read the largest text, then medium, then at the very bottom of the page where the smallest text appeared.  They would try various pairs of glasses until they could see the text at the bottom.  One of them could not read, but said she could identify letters. This went on at each of the three sessions that was held.  Kay wrote that this definitely was a needed ministry, and she would not travel again on a mission trip without a supply of reading glasses. 

The need for glasses is a minor inconvenience for me.  It’s more a reminder that I am getting older than anything else.  In Liberia, the need has a far greater impact on a person’s life and not just in rural communities.  Not being able to read without corrective vision can end an education.  A severe vision impairment can impact the type of work a woman can do.  The ability to see clearly can change that. 
 
Kay found it both fun and gratifying to help the ladies who took the sewing classes, adding that they were so grateful.  Her foresight to be prepared with reading glasses and a way to test vision may have a far greater impact than she realized! 

Kathy Beth Stavinoha
Kathy Beth lives and works in Austin, TX.  She graduated from high school in Monrovia, Liberia in 1977. 

As mentioned in the July 16th blog, Steven Stauffer, Gender Coordinator for Peace Corps/Liberia, joined Dignity:Liberia to hold a menstrual hygiene cup demonstration and menstrual hygiene awareness activity on February 27.  The event was held at Effort Baptist Church in Paynesville. 
 
Prior to conducting the event, Steve was kind enough to give me an interview.  He started with the U.S. Peace Corp in 2005, first serving in Burkina Faso.  In 2007, he transferred to Ethiopia.  He had been in Liberia since September 2019.  [Note:  the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated his return to the United States.  He continues to work with his partners in Liberia through teleconferencing.]
 
Menstrual hygiene is one of core areas that Peace Corps/Liberia is working on to make sure that girls have all of the knowledge, the skills, and the attitudes necessary to keep them in school.  One of the reasons why girls drop out of school is that they do not have proper menstrual hygiene products. 
 
Peace Corps Liberia partners with a number of organizations, such as Dignity:Liberia, which helps them achieve their goals.  They want to give girls a sense of dignity so they can stay in school and don’t have to drop out of class for 3 to 5 days a month because they’re having their periods.
 
Steve worked with Girl Up Clubs and the Big Sisters Program to get the word out about the distribution we held.  These organizations had previously gone through the menstrual hygiene awareness activities and there was some built-up demand for the menstrual cup distribution because of that. 
 
We are grateful to Steve and the Peace Corps for working with us.  As he said, when girls stay in school, the whole country benefits. 

Interview audio:

During the fistula survivor interviews, you may have noticed a number of ladies sporting rhinestone face stickers.  These were applied at the palava hut where numerous activities were coordinated by the dignity advocates.
 
A part of any trip to the Phebe Rehab Center involves arts and crafts projects, as well as other activities with the survivors.  So many of the survivors spoke of their friends (and in some cases, their family members) abandoning them because of their fistula.  In the confines the Rehab Center, they formed new friendships and found acceptance.  Some are healed and some are still leaking “small small.”  Though each survivor’s experience was different, there were common threads in all their stories: the leaking caused by the fistula, of course, the abandonment by others, the shame they felt, and the isolation.
 
It is important for the survivors to interact with and be accepted by others.  It is also a joy to get to know these young ladies and for them to get to know us!  Boy did we get to know each other!  In addition to getting their faces decorated, they learned how to make bracelets and necklaces.  The big project that they all seemed to enjoy, was decorating T-shirts with stenciling, jewels and beads.  Some cut fringe around the bottom of their shirts and used beads to weave them together.  Others used stencils to paint them and jewels to further decorate them.  The shirts were quite elaborate and quite beautiful.  The girls clearly enjoyed letting their creative juices flow!  We left them with quite a few supplies to make more shirts.  
 
All this activity was probably a welcome interlude from the boredom of having little to do.  The Rehab Center had not received funding in several months.  Teachers were laid off and there is no material for sewing or soap making or to practice any of the other skills they had learned.  
 
Back at the palava hut, things were happening!

Fistula Survivor’s Name:  Albertha Zerinsaye       
Interview Date:  February 25, 2020
Interview Location:  Phebe Rehabilitation Center, Bong County
Interviewer:  Kathy Beth Stavinoha
Assisted by: Emma K. Katakpah
 
Twenty-year-old Albertha Zerinsaye is from Nimba County.  She has 5 sisters and 1 brother (some of her siblings have different mothers).  She speaks Mano.  She wants to tell God thank you for the help you’ve been giving to us. 
 
Albertha was in labor for one day, but the child was too large to be born vaginally.  She went to E&J Hospital in Ganta where she had a C-Section.  The baby did not live.  The next day, she started pee-peeing on herself.  She has no other children. 
 
She has had her fistula for four years.  She has had 4 fistula-repair surgeries but she is not dry.  Her most recent surgery was during the second fistula campaign in January 2020. 
 
She learned cosmetology at the Phebe Rehab Center.  She also learned soap making, tie-dye, and bread-making.  When she gets her materials, she can go into business.  She plans to return to Nimba, where will live with her parents.
 
When she came down with fistula, she and her boyfriend were together, but he left her when he found out about her fistula.  She felt bad and thought she was the only one who had this sickness.  She cried every day and stayed at the house.  She went to Ganta Methodist Hospital where a doctor told her they had a training center in Gbarnga.  When she came here (the Rehab Center), she made friends and is happy now.   
 
She would tell a pregnant friend that when she is in pain (in labor), she should not go to a midwife (tribal birth attendant) but should go to a hospital to give birth because the midwife will cause the problem (fistula). 
 
When she goes home, she will not be dependent on anyone because she has learned plenty of things at Rehab and she is able to take care of herself. 
 
Albertha Zerinsaye is a fistula survivor.  Hear her story in her own words.

Fistula Survivor’s Name:  Rebecca Garyozon        
Interview Date:  February 25, 2020
Interview Location:  Phebe Rehabilitation Center, Bong County
Interviewer:  Kathy Beth Stavinoha
Assisted by: Emma K. Katakpah
 
Rebecca Garyozon was born in Grand Bassa County.  Now 23, she recalls playing football (soccer) and kickball as a child.  She has one brother and six sisters.  They help their mom around the house.  Rebecca helps with cooking and cleaning. 
 
She speaks only English – no dialect.  She’s been through the 8th grade and would like to go back to school.  Her favorite topic was Social Studies.   
 
Rebecca got her fistula through childbirth.  She was in pain (labor) for one week.  Her mother took her to a country midwife (no medical training).  They “try, try,” but "the baby never came outside" (the baby was stuck). Then she took her to JFK [Hospital], where they performed a C-Section (“did the operation”).  When she went home, she started experiencing the pee pee coming down on her.
 
Having a fistula made her feel bad.  It made her to not go around her friends and made her stay in her house.  Her mom supported her, helping her stay clean.  Her friends didn’t stay with her. They avoided her.  Rebecca told me, “she go far away from me.”  She’s had one fistula repair surgery and is dry. 
 
She learned baking and soap making at the Phebe Rehab Center.  She prefers making soap, which she plans to sell.  She will go back to Red Light and sell things in the market.
 
She would advise someone in labor to go to straight to the hospital.  If she had a friend with fistula, she would support her.  The friends at Rehab are good friends.
 
Rebecca is a fistula survivor.  Hear her story in her own voice: