Dignity:Liberia
  • Home
  • What is fistula?
    • Liberia: A Nation in Recovery
  • Our Mission
    • Board of Directors
    • Liberia NGO Office
    • Our Partners
  • Get Involved
    • Maternity Waiting Home
    • Past Campaigns and Updates
    • Serve as a Dignity Advocate
    • Healthcare Service Teams
  • Donate
    • Give to Dignity:Liberia
    • Donate Supplies
    • Our Wishlist
    • Meet Our Supporters
  • News
    • Let's Palava
    • Board Access (restricted)
    • Photos
  • Contact

No Longer Untouchable

10/15/2018

2 Comments

 
Picture


Kathy Beth Stavinoha

In September, I was part of the Dignity:Liberia team that traveled to Liberia.  For me, the most memorable experiences from our trip were delivering supplies and donations to the Phebe Rehabilitation Center and interviewing fistula survivors. 

We drove onto the Rehab Center compound in two different vehicles on the morning of September 3rd.  I was in the lead vehicle and was overwhelmed with emotion at the joyous greeting we received.  Women and girls - fistula survivors - came running from their dorm rooms and greeted us with hugs and smiles.  Some of our team had been there in March, so were familiar faces, but all of us received an enthusiastic welcome.  Next, Sao, one of the teachers, joined us playing a saa saa (a musical gourd).  The girls began singing and dancing.  I was laughing with joy and soon clapping my hands to the music.
 
We then unloaded boxes of supplies and took them to the Palava Hut where Sao and an assistant meticulously inventoried every item received.  The boxes contained a number of items for the various trades taught at Rehab (pastry making, embroidering, tailoring, soap making, and cosmetology).  The trade each survivor learns will enable her to earn a living once she graduates and leaves the Rehabilitation Center.  We also provided toiletries and boxes of Depends that the matron, Leemue, had requested.  (Some of the girls are still leaking and will require additional surgery.  These lined panties allow them freedom to move about confidently.)  For months Dignity:Liberia had collected these supplies in anticipation of this trip.  Donors included friends, fellow church members, and even strangers – all answering a call to help.  It was gratifying to witness these supplies reach the intended recipients and to know they will improve the quality of their lives.
 
We spent two and a half days at Rehab.  Much time was spent engaging in various crafts with the fistula survivors and getting to know them.  They looked at pictures stored on our phones and enjoyed hearing about our lives in the United States.  One girl taught me how to say hello in Kpelle: “Ya-tuah!”   
 
On the second morning, I interviewed 12 fistula survivors, whose stories will be posted on our web site.  During the interviews, I finally fully grasped the depth of pain and despair these women and girls have experienced.  They all spoke of the shame they felt from being constantly wet.  They spoke of being shunned by friends and family.  They have lived in isolation for years, and could no longer go about in society.  No wonder they welcomed us with such joy!  We see them as the beautiful human beings that they are.  They are no longer untouchable.
2 Comments
Ruth Shipley
10/16/2018 07:18:31 am

I would love to read the interviews with the survivors that you have written. Are they posted yet? I went with Dignity: Liberia in 2017. Amazing at so many levels

Reply
Kathy Beth Stavinoha
10/16/2018 11:42:37 am

Hi Ruth, the first one will be posted tomorrow (Oct. 17th).

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Categories

    All
    Dignity Advocate Teams
    In A Fistula Survivor's Voice
    Trips

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017

    RSS Feed


    Visit our photo gallery >
 
Bringing restoration and hope to women with fistula and their communities 
through healing, education, and prevention.

Let's  end fistula together

Follow. Like. Share.
Dignity:Liberia is a 501(c)3 not for profit corporation. 
Donations made to Dignity:Liberia are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
© 2020  Dignity: Liberia
Web Design + Development by The Brave Creative