Fistula Survivor’s Name: Wonseh Darbee
Interview Date: September 4, 2018
Interview Location: Phebe Rehab Center, Bong County, Liberia
Interviewers: Kathy Beth Stavinoha and Kathi Gutierrez
Wonseh Darbee was born and raised in Nimba County, in 1982. Her pa died but she still has her ma. She has two brothers and one sister. She is the big sister in the family. When she was a child, she played soccer, told jokes, and cooked. She was about 10 years old when she started cooking. She went through the 8th grade in school and loved studying science and history. She also loved math. She is unmarried.
Wonseh went to a clinic* to deliver her baby and was in labor for four days. She delivered her baby on the 5th day, but the baby had died in her womb. The following day, “the pee pee started coming.” She had her fistula for 2 years. She has had three fistula repair surgeries but is still leaking a bit. She wants a fourth surgery, but the doctors said she needs to rest, then return for the operation.
She would tell her friend, when she gets pregnant, to go to the hospital when she is ready to deliver. The midwife** causes the problem to come – the pee pee and poo poo problem.
The worst thing about having a fistula is that you can’t go among your friends. A fistula is shameful to women who have them. No friends would come around. Her brother helped her but he was the only one besides Dignity:Liberia.
She likes to bake. At the Phebe Rehab Center, she studied pastry making. She likes baking bread. She can also make bar soap. When she returns to Nimba, she will do everything! Her #1 skill is pastry.
Wonseh will tell her friends and parents that she is a fistula survivor! And she is! Hear her story in her own voice.
Interview Date: September 4, 2018
Interview Location: Phebe Rehab Center, Bong County, Liberia
Interviewers: Kathy Beth Stavinoha and Kathi Gutierrez
Wonseh Darbee was born and raised in Nimba County, in 1982. Her pa died but she still has her ma. She has two brothers and one sister. She is the big sister in the family. When she was a child, she played soccer, told jokes, and cooked. She was about 10 years old when she started cooking. She went through the 8th grade in school and loved studying science and history. She also loved math. She is unmarried.
Wonseh went to a clinic* to deliver her baby and was in labor for four days. She delivered her baby on the 5th day, but the baby had died in her womb. The following day, “the pee pee started coming.” She had her fistula for 2 years. She has had three fistula repair surgeries but is still leaking a bit. She wants a fourth surgery, but the doctors said she needs to rest, then return for the operation.
She would tell her friend, when she gets pregnant, to go to the hospital when she is ready to deliver. The midwife** causes the problem to come – the pee pee and poo poo problem.
The worst thing about having a fistula is that you can’t go among your friends. A fistula is shameful to women who have them. No friends would come around. Her brother helped her but he was the only one besides Dignity:Liberia.
She likes to bake. At the Phebe Rehab Center, she studied pastry making. She likes baking bread. She can also make bar soap. When she returns to Nimba, she will do everything! Her #1 skill is pastry.
Wonseh will tell her friends and parents that she is a fistula survivor! And she is! Hear her story in her own voice.
*Most likely a local, traditional clinic
**A tribal birth attendant who is not medically trained
**A tribal birth attendant who is not medically trained
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