Fistula Foundation

MISSION

We are dedicated to ending the suffering caused by the childbirth injury of obstetric fistula. We believe that no woman should have to suffer a life of shame and isolation for trying to bring a child into the world.

Fistula Foundation will adhere to the highest standards for solicitation, granting, and accountability of its funds.

WHERE YOUR SUPPORT GOES

To successfully treat fistula, three elements are needed: a patient, a trained surgeon and a properly equipped facility.

Yet, each of these elements are deceptively simple. Patients often hide their condition out of shame or don’t know that their injury is treatable, making them difficult to find. There are not enough surgeons available to treat the growing backlog of patients, and other types of fistula care providers are also in need of more extensive, specialized training. Many facilities lack even the most basic equipment.

THE RESULTS

Fistula Foundation was founded in 2000 as an all volunteer organization to support the pioneering Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia. Our success between 2004 and 2008 enabled us to dramatically expand our mission to fight fistula globally. As a result of this rapid expansion, we have now supported fistula treatment in 32 countries at sites on two continents, Africa and Asia. We fund more obstetric fistula surgeries globally than any other organization in the world that is not taking government funding.