For years Dignity:Liberia has worked with fistula survivors. We have taken teams of volunteers who have done a number of activities and socialized with survivors of all ages. Year after year we met new survivors, and sadly, saw many familiar faces when we returned to the Phebe Rehab Center on subsequent trips. World renowned fistula surgeon, Dr. John Mulbah, has repeatedly stated that obstetric fistula is a preventable injury, provided a woman has access to proper prenatal care and delivery in a clinical setting.
Dignity:Liberia wants to prevent obstetric fistula from occurring in the first place. For years we dreamed of building a maternity waiting home in rural Liberia to lessen the likelihood of this birthing injury. Once all the questions of where to build, who would build, how the home would be operated, etc. were answered, we raised funds, engaged an architect, purchased building supplies, hired workers, ran the project on a daily basis, and dealt with setbacks. Project oversight from across the Atlantic took time.
The Liberian Daily Observer described House of Hope and Dignity, the completed maternity waiting home, as a modern facility where expectant mothers will receive “critical care and support.” We celebrated our delivery with a grand opening which was well-attended by many dignitaries and honored guests, many of whom were vital to the success of our project.
We have long planned to have a dedicated fistula clinic where women will be able to deliver babies by C-section, should it be required, and doctors will be able to perform fistula repair surgery on women and girls who suffer from this injury.
We were expecting for a while, but now, we have delivered! We invite you to watch the video, which includes a view of where our fistula clinic will be built. We are still basking in the glow of having completed our home and ask you to celebrate with us once more, before we ask for future donations. This could not have been done without your help! We are humbled and grateful for your ongoing support.
Dignity:Liberia wants to prevent obstetric fistula from occurring in the first place. For years we dreamed of building a maternity waiting home in rural Liberia to lessen the likelihood of this birthing injury. Once all the questions of where to build, who would build, how the home would be operated, etc. were answered, we raised funds, engaged an architect, purchased building supplies, hired workers, ran the project on a daily basis, and dealt with setbacks. Project oversight from across the Atlantic took time.
The Liberian Daily Observer described House of Hope and Dignity, the completed maternity waiting home, as a modern facility where expectant mothers will receive “critical care and support.” We celebrated our delivery with a grand opening which was well-attended by many dignitaries and honored guests, many of whom were vital to the success of our project.
We have long planned to have a dedicated fistula clinic where women will be able to deliver babies by C-section, should it be required, and doctors will be able to perform fistula repair surgery on women and girls who suffer from this injury.
We were expecting for a while, but now, we have delivered! We invite you to watch the video, which includes a view of where our fistula clinic will be built. We are still basking in the glow of having completed our home and ask you to celebrate with us once more, before we ask for future donations. This could not have been done without your help! We are humbled and grateful for your ongoing support.
Kathy Beth Stavinoha
Kathy Beth graduated from high school in Monrovia, Liberia in 1977. She retired from St. Edward’s University in 2022 after 21+ years of service. She lives in Brenham, TX with her husband and cat.
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