Beyond Fistula

Cynthia is a brilliant girl who was orphaned at an early age. She is the first born in her family. She was born with a fistula and was repaired at the age of 12yrs. She wants to become a doctor so that she can help repair people with fistulas. She also wants to take the responsibility of helping her siblings once she is done with school. She feels very fortunate to have the opportunity to be at school.

Juliet was born the second of eight siblings. She dreamed of being a doctor until, at age 13, she became pregnant. She carried her baby to term, suffering injuries during the birth. She learned of a clinic in Eldoret that could help her. There, she found the medical help she needed and she was able to imagine going back to school. She continues to dream of becoming a doctor. Her parents are now caring for her child to allow Juliet to study. She has eagerly returned to school this year at the Pratrician School.

Emmanuel is a young boy whose mother is a survivor of obstetric fistula. This condition made it difficult for her to work, and she and her sons were abandoned by the father. He has his grandparents in his life, but he and his brother and mother are houseless and have periods of surviving on only one meal a day. Emmanuel very much wants to learn. When he is not in school he loves playing with his brother.

Priscillah suffered a severe childbirth injury (obstetric fistula) due to a prolonged labor, resulting in her giving birth to a stillborn child when she was 14 yrs old. The injury was so severe she has needed to undergo multiple reconstructive surgeries and is still not fully repaired. What is special about Priscillah, is her positive outlook and determination to succeed, despite her history and being bullied at school due to her continued leakage of urine. She hopes one day be dry. Priscillah has gone from being ostracized to now being the pillar of hope for her family. She and her family are grateful that she has been given the opportunity to be in school. She hopes to do well and become a doctor, so she can help girls with fistula.

has both parents, was raped by a family member 2 yrs ago leading to internal damage/fistula. She is not safe at home and is being raised by the women in the Beyond Fistula program as her mother doesn't feel she can be kept safe at home.

Phelistus grew up living with ten siblings and her parents. At a young age, she fell in love with a traveling herds boy and became pregnant. Phelistus had a long, obstructed labor that, sadly, ended in her infant dying. She traveled to Eldoret seeking help for her trauma, and had her wounds surgically repaired. A Little 4 A Lot helped Phelistus with tuition fees and she is enrolled at Madira Girls School. She is currently at the top of her class with straight As, dreams of becoming a science teacher, and expects to graduate in 2018.