Never give up

Salimatu, though she is partly paralysed feels she must walk or die. She said to Helen, “If you just sit, you will not walk again. Please, please help me walk.” So Helen took her arm and they walked round and round the courtyard. But that wasn’t enough, she also had to walk round the outside courtyard several times, three times the size.

Salimatu, like one in four other fistula patients developed paralysis of her lower leg muscles because of the squatting position during delivery that lasts several days, and needs support to walk properly (if at all). On top of this she had severe anaemia, her blood being 1/3 of normal (4.5 Gm%). She also has an undiagnosed fever each day, that makers her feel very unwell. But she never gives up.