|PIC1|Gary Regazzoli CEO of Mercy Ships Australia says, "Our goal in 2008 was to raise $250,000 to fund 500 fistula surgeries, asking 5000 Australian mothers to give $50 to help 500 suffering mothers. The final total was $350,000. This allowed us to increase the number of surgeries from 500 to 700. On behalf of those 700 mothers, thank you for your generosity."
"This year, we dare to dream of funding 800 surgeries. This means we need 8000 Australian mothers giving $50 to reach our goal of helping 800 suffering mothers. You can help. Please join us this Mother's Day as we mend the broken bodies and heal the broken hearts of our distressed sisters in the developing world."
The story of Memuna reflects the plight of one of the estimated two million women in West Africa who live in shame year after year because of an injury during childbirth. Most of these women are destitute, ostracised by their community and surviving by begging for crumbs of bread and bits of food. The lucky few like Memuna will receive corrective surgery so they can return to a normal life.
At 18, Memuna was preparing for the delivery of her first child. In her small village, everyone anticipated the arrival of new life. Memuna went to a maternity clinic nearby, but something went terribly wrong. The delivery was not progressing. For three days Memuna laboured trying to push the baby out. Those at the clinic were not able to help her, and the infant did not survive the trauma of the delivery.
While still grieving the loss of her child, Memuna discovered that she was not able to control the flow of urine from her body. Thinking this was just a side-effect of the delivery, she lay very, very still in bed for several days trying to give her body time to heal. Soon, though, she also discovered that she was not able to control her bowel movements. It is not unusual in these circumstances for the victim to be ostracised from their community. This had been a way of life for Memuna now for 12 years.
Memuna was greeted with smiles and tender touches as she was met by Mercy Ships volunteers prior to receiving free corrective surgery. The bright smile on Memuna's face reflects the happiness she feels as she celebrates the complete success of the second surgery. The final entry in her medical chart states, "Patient went home with husband." A mended body brought about a healed heart.
Onboard the Mercy Ship Africa Mercy and at a dedicated land-based clinic in West Africa, Mercy Ships performs free fistula repair surgeries for affected women. The healed patients are given new outfits and headdresses as symbols of their restored life. For further information on the 2009 Mercy Ships Australia Mother's Day appeal, go to www.mercyships.org.au.