1,000th Fistula

Marie Bangura underwent the 1000th fistula operation of the Mercy Ships centre since its start almost 3 years ago. Little celebration occurred, as admin staff were tired from a lot else that was going on. Representatives from our main funding agency were visiting. Also the minister of health with an entourage came that day, which you can read about in the press. http://awoko.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=1803&

Marie had a bad birth experience during the civil war in 1992. After 2 days labouring at home she went to a hospital, but there was no doctor and the baby died. Nurses delivered her with forceps which was terrible experience. During the delivery rebels attacked the hospital, and Marie’s husband evacuated her to the bush, where she almost died. He took her to a small church where a missionary was able to help. Afterwards she was leaking urine.

Once things had settled down the missionary took Marie to a hospital where she had her first ‘fistula’ repair. Unfortunately again the rebels attacked, forcing all international staff to leave and again her treatment was cut short. Her urine problem was unchanged.

Over the next 15 years Marie said that she cried often; she felt shame and sadness for her husband and children. She is grateful for her husband who stayed with her and helped her so much. There were times when she felt so bad that she attempted suicide drinking caustic soda. At last a Mercy Ships team came to Yele, her village and brought her to Freetown for surgery.

Marie’s op was complicated as one uretur was blocked by a stitch and she had to go back to theatre for correction the next day. After that all went well and the day she went home she gave us the biggest hugs ever!