Meet our bequest supporters 

“My parents instilled in me from an early age to care for the needs of others even if I did without. I’m 78 and unable to retire from being a midwife as it’s such a fulfilling career.

I first heard about obstetric fistula in the mid 1970s when I read about the need to establish the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. I began donating there and then.

I travelled to Ethiopia in 2017 and 2018 and spent quality time with Dr Catherine Hamlin over lunch at the hospital. I was so inspired by her stories and lifetime dedication to Ethiopia’s beautiful women. Their lives were doomed until the Hamlins healed their bodies and hearts.

Women with obstetric fistula need all the support they can get to have life transforming surgery. I know the gift in my Will is going to change the world for the women in Ethiopia. The gift of life is immeasurable and it is an honour and a privilege to care for them.”

“I strongly empathise with women suffering from horrific injuries related to obstructed labour that leave them incontinent, shunned and living in isolation and poverty. It is not their fault they lose their babies and get injured during childbirth. They need to be fully supported.

The first time I heard about Catherine Hamlin and obstetric fistula was through her book, The Hospital by the River. Catherine and her husband, Reg sacrificed much and were inspirational for dedicating their lives to eradicate obstetric fistula from Ethiopia.

I went on the 16-day Hamlin Ethiopian Adventure in November 2015. It is heart- warming and uplifting to be able to help women recover from ill health and misery to live productive lives amongst family and community.

We should honour Catherine and Reg’s legacy by continuing their work.”

My husband, Michael and I overcame infertility challenges to have our two lovely daughters, Charlotte and Georgia. Both births were extremely challenging. Our happy and healthy outcome wouldn’t have been achieved without the expertise of an outstanding medical team and innovative facilities here in Australia.

I was moved to tears when I watched Oprah Winfrey’s interview with Dr Catherine Hamlin in 2004. I couldn’t believe so many women were suffering with such a devastating, yet preventable childbirth injury. It broke my heart to hear they often lost their baby, too and were ostracised by their families.

I was inspired to leave a gift in my Will after learning that the Hamlin fistula hospitals treat women free of charge, bringing healing and joy and creating a brighter future.

When I went on the Hamlin Ethiopian Adventure in 2024 I saw first-hand how donations are used at the Hamlin hospitals and clinics. I’m glad the gift in my Will can make a small difference to relieving the suffering of women in Ethiopia.