Overview

I am a 38 year old mother of three and fistula survivor. I developed a fistula in 2014 when I gave birth to my second child. I had been running a shoe business to support myself, my three children, and my mother, who is mentally ill. I couldn't work anymore when I got the fistula. Now I have had surgery and I am healed.

My goal is to sell woven Kiondo bags to supplement my shoe business income. I learned to make the bags in a workshop with an organization called Beyond Fistula.

I need $300 to buy supplies - the fibers of the sisal plant are the material for the Kiondo bag.

Meeting this need will help me because once I have supplies I can use my new skill to make money quickly and get my shoe business restarted. Then when that reliable income is back up and running I can pay for my children's food, uniforms, and school fees, and my mother's medications for her illness.

Validated

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

I met Noel when she completed our Kiondo bag weaving class. She is someone who has known heavy responsibility since she was born. As a child she started caring for her sick mother, and now she also cares for her three children. Noel is serious and driven to provide for her family. I have no doubt that she will be successful selling the Kiondo bags, and then restarting the shoe business she had to abandon when she got the fistula. And we will be supporting her along the way.

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