9 Amazing days in Ethiopia

I have been in Ethiopia for 9 days and what a welcome and surprise. I have enjoyed beautiful landscapes, friendly animals and the hustle of the city.

The Fistula hospital was our first stop and at first they were overwhelmed by a large group of photographers descending upon their home.  We adjusted and each of us were able to visit with different ladies from various wards. 

I made my home in the maternity.  I was welcomed by 7 ladies who had previously had fistulas and had healed.  They were now pregnant once again and back at the fistula hospital to ensure a safe birth which means no complications or skilled people at hand to swiftly deal with whatever may come up so NO FISTULAE will occur.

The ladies were happy to be in safe hands and enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship of the other ladies who have shared similar experiences to them.  

I met with two wonderful women, one happy to be an expecting mother with many hopes for future and the other lady who had already given birth and a proud mother, looking forward to going back to her family.

I will share more of their stories on my return.   


Above is one of the expectant mothers , who had just received her new blanket for the baby.  Each blanket is unique and all the women's excitement seem to grow as we looked at all the  variety of shawls,  I think looking forward to their new arrival.


More soon.....

3 Hours till Ethiopia

I am off to Ethiopia!  I will stay in touch.  There is still time to contribute.  Please support me! Take a look at my site and give what you can, it will be appreciated!

Thank you!

http://www.indiegogo.com/Antoinette-to-Ethiopia

On my way!

I am in London doing a repack of my suitcase and getting excited for my departure tomorrow!!!
I am ready to start my trip! Let's Go!!!!


There is still time to contribute go to my link and give what you can.  Thanks!
http://www.indiegogo.com/Antoinette-to-Ethiopia

I leave tomorrow!

I am nearly packed. Just off for the last minute errands.  Please take the time to contribute with the link below.  Help me reach my goal!!! As Indiegogo say DIWO (Do It With Others)


THANK YOU TO ALL MY SUPPORTERS THUS FAR!!!!!!! 


http://www.indiegogo.com/Antoinette-to-Ethiopia

And More tights!!! Thanks GP & Hubby!!!!

I hope to get a picture of your tight being made into rugs!!!

Tights have arrived!!! Thanks HB & GP & Hubby!!!

Thank you for my the tights above HB.  I have more on the way from Georgie too.  Thanks so much Ladies.  The bright colors and interesting patterns that you gave will hopefully make for interesting rugs!
Yeah!!!

LOVE, LABOR, LOSS: Documentary Film on Obstetric Fistula

I got my Visa!!!!

I received my visa for my trip yesterday!  So I am all set with all my documentation and vaccinations.


I also reached my $3000.00 target today so my goal of 5K draws closer!  Keep on supporting!!


Thanks to everyone who has supported me so far I REALLY APPRECIATE it!!!!!

From Nicholas D Kristof, New York Times Columnist

"Just about the worst thing that can happen to a teenage girl in this world is to develop an obstetric fistula that leaves her trickling bodily wastes, stinking and shunned by everyone around her."

Fundraising: I am half way to my goal!!

I am really excited about this project to meet the fistula patients and tell their story to you.   
I love to take pictures and meet people and find out their stories, I do not on the other hand enjoy writing! 


So the prospect of blogging and putting together the webpage was a daunting one but I knew it would support my goals. Thus...the fundraising website Indiegogo has been  a great tool to make this project happen.   It is a great platform where all my supporters known and unknown can contribute and pass on my project to others.

It has been exciting to see how each day who has contributed, who has referred my project onto others and to receive the warm support. This encouragement keeps me moving forward with my project!


Now I am over the half way mark I need less than 22 donations of $100 or 44 donations of $50.... to reach my goal.  So keep spreading the word and THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT!!!!


To contribute visit http://www.indiegogo.com/Antoinette-to-Ethiopia

Vaccination Time!

I got my vaccinations today: Yellow Fever, Meningococcus, & Hep A.  So I only need to pack and get traveler's insurance now.  Nearly there!!!

Local SF peeps your tights please.

Helloo Everyone,
Thank you so much for all your support and contributions so far.  it really has been great and much appreciated.  If you are looking for different way to support the women here it is.


Yes your pantyhose and tights can help too!  They are essential items for the women waiting to have surgery. See the direct request from the hospital below:

"These items are your old tights (pantyhose) with holes or runs in them – no matter… we use them.

The patients still leaking and going home use the top ends for holding pads in place, they have no underwear.....

The leg parts we also use, in the past we said cut off the legs (of the tights not the ladies!) and post them, now we use the legs too. We braid them into rugs!

So this is a cry for your help – tights, pantyhose, stocking, any color, holes or no holes"

SO EMAIL ME IF YOU HAVE PANTYHOSE OR TIGHTS TO DONATE AND I WILL COLLECT THEM AND TAKE THEM WITH ME!

If you would also like to contribute to my project to help the women with Obstetric fistulas please go to:

http://www.indiegogo.com/Antoinette-to-Ethiopia

Thanks!

Flights Booked!

I have booked my flights and so I just need to get my jabs!  23 days to go!!

A big plan to reduce Fistulas in Ethiopia

Hospital begins Midwifery Training to Help Prevent Fistula

Many supporters of the Hospital ask how they can help prevent fistula. This is an issue near and dear to Dr. Hamlin's heart, from the early days of the Hospital. Indeed, she and her late husband Reginald originally came to Ethiopia to start a Midwifery program and Dr. Hamlin is now committed to starting such a program in conjunction with the Hospital. 


Her goal, and that of midwives Annette Bennett and Ruth Kennedy, is to help place midwives in villages near the five mini-hospitals to help women in labor, thus preventing fistula and other childbirth injuries. This is an exciting step forward.


The Hospital has started the building of classrooms, skill laboratory and refurbishment of dormitories for students, also a canteen and common room.


The goal is to open the college for BSc level midwives in the fall of this year. The initial intake will be about fifteen and then twenty each year afterwards. The clinical and classroom tutors have been employed and a visiting Professor, Dr. Ann Thomson from Manchester UK, has helped the team to develop an up to date curriculum. 

Fundraising for the Trip has started!!!

http://www.indiegogo.com/Antoinette-to-Ethiopia?c=activity

I am off to Ethiopia in one month now, just 30 days to go. Time is moving swiftly!  


So...... please take a look at the link above and see why and how to support my project.  The link has all the info but if you have any questions, just let me know.

Ps. If you have friends or family who you think might be interested in contributing to my project PLEASE forward.

Thank you!

Why I am going?

When I signed on with Salaam Garage to go to Ethiopia, I was not sure absolutely why.  

Of course I wanted to go to Africa and this would be my first visit.  I was excited.  At the same time I was concerned how I/we would be received.  

So......I finally watched "A Walk to Beautiful"and this made it crystal clear.  I am going to help the women with Obstetric Fistula (please see the section to your right for a description this condition).  I know it seems obvious but I was not sure how I would be able to help.  I found out that help in all shapes and forms are desperately needed, so whichever way I could help, I was now sure would be beneficial.

The film really bought home to me the intimate story, of one women who goes about her daily life dealing continuously with incontinence.   Continuous incontinence??.....  in roaring hot temperatures, dealing with being cast out by your family and friends because of the stench from the urine and feces.  The visual picture brought home the reality of life with Obstetric fistulas.


Take a look at my HOW To Contribute page and see how you can me help them.


Watch the Movie...

A Walk to Beautiful (watch instantly on netflix with this link or the link below on youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w-fOmovijc&ob=av1e