A woman living God’s mission ...
Dr Catherine Hamlin
Hundreds of us were touched by Dr Catherine Hamlin’s recent presentation here at Pittwater Uniting Church (PUC) showing her work with fistula women. There is no doubt that she is an amazing woman of God who has a huge vision for healing women suffering with fistula and an ambitious plan to help prevent them from occurring.
She was recently called “Australia’s Mother Teresa" by the Sydney Morning Herald and from the standing ovation she received here it would seem we agree! Hearing her speak, however, it is clear that she is a humble, dignified, yet determined woman who we could see felt uncomfortable with such accolades and whose desire is simply to see the women of Ethiopia cured of this debilitating condition.
For those of you who are not familiar with Dr Hamlin’s work, a fistula is caused when a baby’s head is stuck in the birth canal, often for up to five days. The baby’s skull causes a hole in the birth passage, bladder or rectum through which urine or faeces leak. Surgery is required to fix the problem. These women are often shunned by their husbands and families and are ostracized by society because of their offensive smell. It is a life of loneliness, shame and uselessness for these women who have no future or prospects because of their fistula.
Drs Reg & Catherine Hamlin visited Ethiopia is 1959 for a three-year term to establish a midwifery school in Addis Ababa. But curing fistulas in this country turned into their lives’ work. Since the first hospital was built in 1974, over 24,000 women have been treated and cured of their fistula. However, the number of young women with fistula is increasing each year, despite the establishment of extra fistula centres and trained doctors in the provinces.
Catherine’s vision is to have a midwife in each village to assist women with the normal birth of their babies who will identify those women who are at risk of a fistula (about 1 in 20). These women can either have their baby turned, or be taken to a hospital where a caesarian section can be performed and the baby safely delivered. To this end, Dr Hamlin has established a midwifery school where twelve country girls are currently studying a three-year midwifery diploma, so they can return to their villages to help women with their childbirths. It is an ambitious plan, but one which saw the eradication of fistula in England by 1920.
If you are inspired by Dr Hamlin’s vision and determination, there are many ways you can become involved. Read the book Hospital by the River by Catherine Hamlin & John Little. Look up the website at www.fistulatrust.org to find out how to donate by credit card or cheque, or perhaps you’d like to get a free copy of a DVD/video to show a group, or even make a bequest in your will.
At 84 years of age Dr Hamlin’s love and commitment to the women of Ethiopia is as strong as ever.
“I do believe this is a God-given job. I know I'm there for a reason
and I love being there.” Dr Catherine Hamlin AC
