Overview

I am a 30 year old wife and fistula survivor. Two years ago my husband and I lost our baby during childbirth that was prolonged and obstructed. It is also how I got a fistula. I have had four unsuccessful fistula surgeries to repair me. I am in counseling and still have some hope that one surgery will work. My husband earns money for us with casual jobs but sometimes he can't get work and we don't eat for a day or two. He is unkind toward me because of my fistula, just like the rest of my family.

My goals are to start a grocery business so I can earn my own money. I need my husband to respect me if I want to be safe.

I need $300 to buy supplies for my grocery business - some inventory, like produce, and coolers for transport.

Meeting this need will help me because I am determined to be independent. I need my own money so I can be safe and still hope to have surgery to fix my fistula.

Validated

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

Stella has sadly suffered a lot. After she and her husband lost their child, he began treating her very poorly. She still suffers with her fistula, which we are helping her to seek additional treatment for, and with depression because of her situation. Stella is very strong and continues to go to counseling to help move herself forward. I have hope that she can make her grocery business successful with our continued support.

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