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History in the Making:
The Danja Fistula Center Opens Its Doors
This week is a historic one both in the history of the Worldwide Fistula Fund and also in the lives of thousands of west African women suffering from (or at risk of) the indignity and devastation of obstetric fistula. This week marks the dawning of a new hope for mothers, aunts, sisters, grandmothers and children across Niger and its neighboring countries. This week shows the impact that thousands of donors and years of dedicated work can make.
For this is the week that the Worldwide Fistula Fund opens the Danja Fistula Center -- a full-service, state-of-the-art fistula hospital serving one of the most
marginalized populations in one of the most marginalized countries in the world. The Danja Fistula Center will not just offer clinical care for fistula patients, but also a full roster of social reintegration, prevention outreach and surgical training initiatives to address this issue from several different angles.
 | | Patients and Family Members |
We are overwhelmed and ecstatic about what our donors' generosity and unwavering support has allowed us to achieve. Don't doubt for a second how important this is. Before the hospital even opened, there were 42 women waiting for the surgery that would restore their lives. One woman, who has had a fistula for 15 years, journeyed to the facility a week too late to be treated in August. She promised herself that she wouldn't miss the chance again and left her home in late December to come to Danja. It took her a month to travel roughly 600 miles. Her food and money ran out on day five. But her dream didn't. She made it. Her determination for a better life got her to our doorstep. And your support is what allowed us to say, "Welcome to the Danja Fistula Center. Please come in so that we can help you."
Thank you for getting us here. Those of us who work in fistula truly feel that we are on the cusp of finally eradicating this horrific condition. With your help, we know we'll get there. Please stay tuned to our blog for more news out of Danja, stories of the women we've served and updates on our progress.
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