Together: Our 2024 Winter Newsletter.
We are so pleased to share our latest Winter Newsletter. Read uplifting news and updates, all possible thanks to the kindness and generosity of our supporters.
Newsletter highlights: find out more from our partners’ projects
Strengthening maternal health
Obstetric fistula | Alima's story
Alima was one of the women treated by our partner Hope of Light in 2024.
Without access to antenatal care, Alima delivered her first two babies at home. But her last delivery ended in tragedy. She laboured at home for two days, until it was clear her family urgently needed to reach help at the nearest health centre. But it was too late. Alima’s baby was stillborn.
Her prolonged obstructed labour had caused an obstetric fistula, a hole between her birth canal and bladder. Alima lived with incontinence for six months. She thought she was the only person with such a problem, and didn’t believe anything could be done.
Until, in her despair, she went back to the health centre, who referred her to Hope of Light, at Jimma Fistula Centre. She was so surprised to meet other women there with the same problem and happy to see cured patients waiting for their family to travel back home.
Alima’s surgery was successful and two weeks later, her catheter was removed. She cried with happiness and shared her heartfelt appreciation to the healthcare professionals who had cared for her, and to the donors whose kind support meant she was able to be cured.
All 25 of the women treated at Jimma Fistula Centre received a new dress and shawl in 2024, not only as a practical means of replacing their often worn-out and urine-soaked garments, but also to symbolise the end of their difficult illness. We have seen for ourselves that this creates a sense of immense joy and hope in our treated patients.
Support for women and girls
30 years of action
This year, our partner APDA celebrated their 30th anniversary!
Over the past 30 years, APDA have supported the Afar people and their unique way of life through projects ranging from education and healthcare to protecting access to water, livestock and livelihoods. They also deliver vital emergency support in times of crises such as conflict and drought.
Women’s rights are a fundamental part of APDA’s work and they are dedicated to ending harmful practices including female genital mutilation and child marriage. Girls and women are the key to long-term change.
To mark this significant occasion, they have made a short documentary film about their work.
Emergency and recovery
Maternal Health: rebuilding after conflict
The incredible support for our summer appeal is helping to restore maternal health services in Tigray, bringing vital care to women like Tsega.
“Some days, I kept on asking myself what would happen if my labour starts while I am at home, will I be able to travel all this distance? This thought got me worried.”
20-year-old Tsega lives in the Tigray region, 12km away from a recently restored health centre. Throughout her pregnancy she has been travelling there and back for her antenatal appointments, but she was anxious about going into labour, so far from help.
“During my last antenatal visit, after seeing how I was exhausted, my nurse suggested that I stay for two weeks in the new maternity waiting home until delivery. Before, I had no idea about the maternity waiting home, but the nurse explained that recently a new maternity waiting home has been established which is well-equipped. She mentioned the availability of a bed at the waiting home and I promptly accepted, feeling greatly relieved by her suggestion.
The room was very clean and I met with other pregnant women, we discussed different topics and shared experiences. We also attend activities like pregnancy conferences in the health facility. The health professionals regularly measure our blood pressure and check the status of our pregnancies. The care provided is exceptional. I hope to give birth soon. Thank you for the service you are providing.”
Improving access to education
Dignity Period resumes work in Tigray
We are so pleased to share that our partner Dignity Period has restarted their project in northern Ethiopia – we know so many of you were passionate about supporting this work.
Most of the schools in the region were devastated beyond imagination during the conflict. Many became emergency shelters. The team adapted to provide emergency support with whatever was most needed for people who had to flee their homes.
But now, schools are starting to re-open, and the local Mariam Seba Factory has restarted production of reusable period packs.
During the conflict, so many girls missed out on their education. Now it’s safe for girls to return to class, the dedicated Dignity Period team is once again travelling out into rural areas to distribute period packs.
It’s more important than ever that the packs reach these girls to ensure they aren’t held back even further from learning.
Supporting health and welfare
"Making a pair of shoes saves a life - I had no idea" - Bantayeyehu
Bantayeyehu was trained by our partner to produce custom-made shoes for people with podoconiosis.
He also earns extra money through making shoes for sale and repairs. Bantayeyehu’s workshop employs four shoemakers, including one person living with podo.
APIDO are working to eradicate podo by training local health workers to spread the message of the causes and symptoms, and by raising awareness of prevention and the importance of wearing shoes.
We had such an amazing response to our autumn appeal. This support will help APIDO reach over 2,600 people with shoes and self-care kits, to reduce symptoms and alleviate pain.
THANK YOU.
By supporting our work, you are an essential part of incredible, life-transforming change.
Download your copy of our 2024 Winter Newsletter in full:
