Reflections on the 2024 Impact Report by Helen Marriott, CEO

As we start a new year, I have enjoyed the opportunity to reflect on the successes of the global Hamlin Fistula family in 2024. As always, I am inspired by the incredible achievements of colleagues across Ethiopia.

In our 2024 Impact Report, you will read about

• tens of thousands of babies delivered by Hamlin midwives;
• thousands of successful surgeries completed;
• hundreds of women learning new skills at our rehabilitation centre;
• and over one hundred BSc and MSc midwifery students at Hamlin College of Midwives.

These numbers are important – they demonstrate the wide reach and life-saving impact of your support.

But far more important than the numbers are the women behind them. In the report you will read about Kelemi, who I met last summer in Yirgalem, southern Ethiopia. She was awaiting the safe delivery of her second child by caesarean. Tragically, her first child was still-born, due to an obstructed labour that caused a fistula.  

I was overjoyed to receive a photo of Kelemi with her newborn a few weeks after our visit. Her beaming smile said it all – you can see it for yourself on page 2 of the report.

I live freely in my community. I am happy and stable. Thank you for your support

Kelemi, patient at Yirgalem Fistula Hospital

Your generous support makes it possible for Hamlin Fistula to treat women like Kelemi. Her fistula was cured and she was offered a free caesarean section thanks to you.

Getting to know you

Another rewarding part of my job is talking to people who support Hamlin Fistula UK through donations, fundraising, knitting or spreading the word about our work in Ethiopia.

I love to find out how you first heard about Hamlin Fistula, what motivates you to support our work and why supporting women in Ethiopia is important to you.  

So I would be really grateful if you would complete this brief online survey.

It should take no more than 5 minutes to complete. It will be valuable, because knowing more about you helps us to send you information and updates that are interesting and relevant.

If you don’t already receive email updates from us, please do consider sharing your email address. We send regular news from Ethiopia, updates on how your support is making a difference and ways you can get involved.

If you complete the survey before the end of February 2025, you will be entered into a draw to receive a copy of ‘Healing Lives’ by Sue Williams. This remarkable book tells the story of Dr Catherine Hamlin and Mamitu Gashe, a young woman cured at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital who went on to become one of the most acclaimed fistula surgeons in the world.

I look forward to reading your responses to the survey, and I hope you enjoy reading our 2024 Impact Report.