Home - Hamlin Fistula® Relief and Aid Fund

'A Walk to Beautiful' screenings
St Alban's Anglican Church, Lindfield. Click here for more information.

Supporting Events
Walking the Talk - Fundraising Walk from Land's End to John O'Groats
Three friends Frances Watson, Yvonne Buckley and David Buckley are walking from one end of the UK to the other in order to raise money for the Fund and awareness of the issue of obstetric fistulae. For a copy of the itinerary of the walk and updates on their progress refer to the website www.walkingthetalk.com.au

Donations may be made via the Fund’s office. Please specify that it is in support of the “Walking the Talk” fundraiser.

Fundraising Dinner and Auction - Victoria
Join us for a night of live entertainment, a 4 course smorgasboard and fundraising auction to raise money for Hamlin Fistula Relief and Aid Fund
Where
Cuckoo Restaurant
508 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd Olinda (Mel 66 J8)
When Sunday 30th August 6.30 – 10.30
Cost $70 Adults $30 Children
Contact Emma Ham for tickets 03 97510831 (Limited to 110)

Anyone wishing to donate items for the Auction – please contact Emma Ham at the above number .

Interviews with Dr Hamlin
Dr Catherine Hamlin AC was recently interviewed on both the ABC's Talking Heads with Peter Thompson and the Sunday programme with Ellen Fanning. Click here for the interview on Talking Heads or here for the interview on Channel 9's Sunday program.

The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, co-founded by Dr Catherine Hamlin AC, treats 2,800 women suffering obstetric fistula every year. This Australian Fund supports this work to help some of the most destitute women outcasts in one of the poorest countries in the world.

BACKGROUND
It is estimated that throughout the world, one woman in every twenty will have difficulty in childbirth. In the 19th Century, the death of both mother and child was not uncommon.

Modern medical care and treatment, with easy access to Hospitals and doctors, has eliminated this threat in our western civilisation.

But this is not so in developing countries. The joy of parenthood is frequently marred in the aftermath of obstructed labour. Days in obstructed labour can cause a hole or fistula to the birth passage, the bladder and sometimes the rectum. As a result, the woman leaks urine constantly. She then has an offensive odour. Her husband will leave her and her family and friends will avoid her.

Many a young girl with fistula injuries has suffered a fate worse than death, experiencing a life of rejection, separation, loneliness and "shame".

In 1959, two Australian doctors Reg and Catherine Hamlin, went to Ethiopia to train midwives. Seeing the plight of these poor women, they became determined to help them.

They developed a delicate surgical technique that, in most cases, will result in a complete cure. Then they built the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. Since then more than 30,000 women have been treated and cured. The Hospital now trains doctors from other developing countries. The effect of their work is spreading world-wide, restoring new life and dignity of thousands of young women.

To hear more about the work of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital click here to read an interview with Dr Hamlin with Monica Attard on ABC Sunday.