Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation

About Us

The Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation has one purpose and one purpose only: eradicating obstetric fistula in Ethiopia. Forever. 

Obstetric fistula is virtually a thing of the past in Australia. But in rural Ethiopia, where women have little or no access to maternal healthcare, they will be in agonising labour for days if their birth is obstructed. They almost always lose their baby and suffer horrific internal damage that leaves them leaking urine, faeces and sometimes both.

Often, their husbands leave them. They are ostracised from their community and condemned to a life of shame and isolation.

We raise funds and awareness for Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia's Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, five regional fistula hospitals, more than 50 Hamlin-supported rural midwifery clinics, the Hamlin College of Midwives and Desta Mender, Hamlin's rehabilitation and reintegration centre.

Hamlin employs 550 Ethiopians, many of whom were trained by Catherine and all of whom continue towards her vision of a fistula-free Ethiopia, which is now within reach. Funds are used for:

1. Identification, surgical treatment and rehabilitation of women suffering from obstetric fistula injuries

2. Prevention of obstetric fistula through training and rural deployment of Hamlin midwives

3. Research into the causes, treatment and prevention of obstetric fistula.

The generosity of Australian donors has enabled Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia to restore the lives and dignity of over 60,000 women since 1959. Today, they are still funded entirely by the generosity and kindness of people like you. 

Whilst enormous progress has been made, it is estimated up to 31,000 Ethiopian women still live with an untreated obstetric fistula injury. Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is working hard to locate them in remote areas of the country and repair their injuries. In addition, each year around 3,000 new fistula cases occur in Ethiopia.

Our goal is to increase total fistula repair surgeries at Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia from 60,000 to 100,000 and eradicate fistula from Ethiopia once and for all.    

Thank you for your support.