Overview

My name is Mary and I am a 48 year old wife and mother of seven children (ages 31, 29, 27, 25, 23, 21, and 13). When my first child was born the labor was difficult and I developed a fistula. It made me leak urine and feces and feel ashamed. After 31 years, this year I had surgery to repair it and now I am dry and healed for the first time since I was 17. I was trained as a teacher but my fistula prevented me from keeping that job.

My goal is to lease a plot of land to farm. I already have one acre and I need more to farm enough to contribute to our household income so that I can help my children go to school and live better.

I need funds ($200) to lease land to farm on. I will grow crops to feed my family, and with the extra land I will have enough food to sell the excess at market and earn income.

Meeting this need will help me because I have been trapped by fistula for most of my life. Now I am healthy and free. I have farming skills and the motivation to work, and once I have enough land I can generate my own income to support my family.

Validated

Validated by Debra from Beyond Fistula (What does this mean?)

Mary is a true survivor. She has 7 children and lived with an obstetric fistula since the birth of her first child 31 yrs ago. Her husband remained with her, which is admirable as most obstetric fistula survivors are abandoned by their families. She is finally strong enough to work and wants to lease a small plot of land to expand her existing small plot of farm land. She is resourceful and motivated. Beyond Fistula will be supporting her and following up with her.

About Debra

I am the co-founder and Executive Director of Beyond Fistula. I founded the nonprofit in 2012 after seeing how much these young Kenyan women needed help rebuilding their lives after recovering from a childbirth injury known as obstetric fistula. I am endlessly motivated by their hope and tenacity… Read more