Not all fistula patients are teenagers and women. Some of them are children, such as Aynababa, age four. Although child marriage is illegal in Ethiopia, many ancient cultural practices support this tradition, which is one situation that can result in fistula due to the young girl’s body not being fully developed to be able to handle childbirth. Other situations, such as rape, does occur, however it is infrequent due to the gentle nature of most Ethiopians.
Educating the rural community about fistula is vitally important to the Hamlin Fistula Hospital organization. Each midwife is trained to perform education outreach to the most remote areas of Ethiopia.
Although Aynababa suffers from fistula, one can see how the Ethiopian spirit cannot be easily broken. Each person she meets is greeted with an infectious smile and a degree of expressed happiness I rarely see in my own country.
I fall in love with the Ethiopian spirit again and again and again.
