Overview

I am a 64 year old mother of nine, widow, and fistula survivor. For seventeen years I lived with a leaking, painful fistula, and suffered a lot with my family and society shunning me because of my leaking and smell. My husband died and I am raising our children alone.

My goals are to start a small farming business. I will grow crops to feed me and my family and sell the excess at the market to pay for my children's school fees.

I need $300 to lease a plot of land and buy maize seeds. This will get my business off the ground.

Meeting this need will help me because I am solely responsible for caring for my nine children. I need a steady income, and now that I don't have a fistula anymore people will do business with me instead of shunning me like before. All I need is the money to lease land and buy seeds.

Validated

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

Esther lived with her fistula for seventeen years - an incredibly long time. She persevered despite stigma and isolation from her family and community. Still Esther has the heart and skill to provide for her nine children. She completed our farm skills program and is ready to earn for her children and reenter society now that she is dry. Beyond Fistula will continue to support her with follow-up help as she starts her business.

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