In October 2021, I interviewed fistula survivor Mercy Benson who spoke candidly about the physical and emotional pain of an obstetric fistula. I can hear her downcast voice as she said:
“We are in a rural area. Before the ambulance could leave from Monrovia and reach to
our place and put me down to Monrovia, the time was already late.”
Since then, my husband and I moved to Brenham, Texas from Austin. Brenham is considerably smaller than Austin and while it doesn’t have all the problems of a big city, it doesn’t have all the amenities either. I have Graves’ Disease, more commonly referred to as hyperthyroidism. It is typically managed by an endocrinologist. Brenham does not have an endocrinologist. The closest one is a 50-minute drive from where I live. Since my illness is well managed, the lack of a specialist in Brenham is not an issue. However, my eyes are now open to Mercy’s predicament: she lives in a rural area. By the time she could get to a specialist, it was too late for a safe delivery.
Last year Dignity:Liberia completed House of Hope and Dignity, a maternity waiting home located in rural Liberia. Two licensed midwives work at the home, where the women who visit will receive expert care.
We are now focused on building a dedicated fistula clinic on our 6-acre compound. Once it opens, women suffering from obstetric fistula can come to us to have their injury repaired in one of two operating rooms. Additionally, women staying at our maternity waiting home will be able to have C-sections should it be necessary. Until then, women needing a Cesarian will be taken to a nearby hospital.
Please continue to support our endeavors. Tell your friends, churches, co-workers, and others about this injury and what we are doing in Liberia. Financial support is always appreciated as well. You can donate by check, credit card, Pay Pal, or make a gift of stock. All the details can be found on our giving page.
Exciting things are happening in Liberia – and you are a part of it! Thank you!
“We are in a rural area. Before the ambulance could leave from Monrovia and reach to
our place and put me down to Monrovia, the time was already late.”
Since then, my husband and I moved to Brenham, Texas from Austin. Brenham is considerably smaller than Austin and while it doesn’t have all the problems of a big city, it doesn’t have all the amenities either. I have Graves’ Disease, more commonly referred to as hyperthyroidism. It is typically managed by an endocrinologist. Brenham does not have an endocrinologist. The closest one is a 50-minute drive from where I live. Since my illness is well managed, the lack of a specialist in Brenham is not an issue. However, my eyes are now open to Mercy’s predicament: she lives in a rural area. By the time she could get to a specialist, it was too late for a safe delivery.
Last year Dignity:Liberia completed House of Hope and Dignity, a maternity waiting home located in rural Liberia. Two licensed midwives work at the home, where the women who visit will receive expert care.
We are now focused on building a dedicated fistula clinic on our 6-acre compound. Once it opens, women suffering from obstetric fistula can come to us to have their injury repaired in one of two operating rooms. Additionally, women staying at our maternity waiting home will be able to have C-sections should it be necessary. Until then, women needing a Cesarian will be taken to a nearby hospital.
Please continue to support our endeavors. Tell your friends, churches, co-workers, and others about this injury and what we are doing in Liberia. Financial support is always appreciated as well. You can donate by check, credit card, Pay Pal, or make a gift of stock. All the details can be found on our giving page.
Exciting things are happening in Liberia – and you are a part of it! Thank you!
 | 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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