In 2012, I returned to Liberia for the first time in 34 years. It was an emotional trip for me. Much had changed. The country was recovering from two brutal civil wars: its infrastructure was in shambles, Monrovia’s population had exploded, and the streets I had once walked as a teenager no longer looked familiar.
I was traveling with the newly formed nonprofit, Dignity:Liberia, to offer what support I could to women and girls with obstetric fistula, a preventable birthing injury that results in urine and/or stool incontinence. We got to know fistula survivors and those awaiting fistula repair surgery and tried to lessen their sense of shame, but our long-term goal is to end fistula in Liberia. Thirteen years later, I am amazed at what has been accomplished! We’ve touted those accomplishments as they happened, but I recently compiled a list and was astounded to see that we have…
Look over the list. Do you see one of your contributions? Did you sew dresses? Have you served as a Dignity Advocate? Did you tell someone about us? Do you pray for us? Have you donated money? Are you an in-kind donor? Did you raise money through a birthday fundraiser? Maybe you convinced a business to give provisions. Perhaps you gave medical supplies. Did you help fold business cards or pack a container? We have accomplished so much with your help.
This month we begin Phase II of our 3-phase building project: the construction of a fistula clinic with 2 operating rooms that will be used for fistula repair surgery. Women who suffer from fistula in this rural community (or who travel from elsewhere), will have their injuries repaired, restoring their sense of dignity. When necessary, delivery by C-section will also be done in the clinic. In April, we will build a public restroom on the compound for visitors to use.
Thank you for blessing us with your continued support as we build our clinic in this rural area of Montserrado County.
I was traveling with the newly formed nonprofit, Dignity:Liberia, to offer what support I could to women and girls with obstetric fistula, a preventable birthing injury that results in urine and/or stool incontinence. We got to know fistula survivors and those awaiting fistula repair surgery and tried to lessen their sense of shame, but our long-term goal is to end fistula in Liberia. Thirteen years later, I am amazed at what has been accomplished! We’ve touted those accomplishments as they happened, but I recently compiled a list and was astounded to see that we have…
- Held immunization clinics and distributed reading glasses in Charles Luke Town and provided them with funds during the Ebola crisis
- Donated medical supplies to numerous hospitals
- Started a scholarship, provided supplies and other support to the Phebe School of Nursing
- Donated educational supplies, dresses, sandals and other necessities to fistula survivors at the Phebe Rehabilitation Center
- Constructed a Palava Hut at the Phebe Rehab Center
- Dug a well in Cooper’s Town
- Participated in “End Fistula” campaigns sponsored by the UNFPA
- Distributed menstrual cups in collaboration with the Peace Corps
- Held workshops on sewing reusable menstrual pads in partnership with the Ministry of Health and in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Monrovia, which resulted in some participants taking their newly learned skills into their own communities and the Liberian prison system
- Built a modern maternity waiting home, House of Hope and Dignity, that opened for business in January 2025
- Installed/built a generator house, a kitchen, a Palava hut, a borehole well, a public water station, and a septic system on our 6-acre compound
- Employed two nurse-midwives who are traveling to nearby communities and cultivating relationships with the villages’ Traditional Tribal Midwives and residents.
Look over the list. Do you see one of your contributions? Did you sew dresses? Have you served as a Dignity Advocate? Did you tell someone about us? Do you pray for us? Have you donated money? Are you an in-kind donor? Did you raise money through a birthday fundraiser? Maybe you convinced a business to give provisions. Perhaps you gave medical supplies. Did you help fold business cards or pack a container? We have accomplished so much with your help.
This month we begin Phase II of our 3-phase building project: the construction of a fistula clinic with 2 operating rooms that will be used for fistula repair surgery. Women who suffer from fistula in this rural community (or who travel from elsewhere), will have their injuries repaired, restoring their sense of dignity. When necessary, delivery by C-section will also be done in the clinic. In April, we will build a public restroom on the compound for visitors to use.
Thank you for blessing us with your continued support as we build our clinic in this rural area of Montserrado County.
 | 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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