The Mother's March

Why I am fundraising

As a mother of two wonderful girls, a registered nurse, and a passionate advocate for health equality, I am deeply moved by the mission of the Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation. This September, I'm taking my conviction a step further by completing the Hamlin Barefoot Walk. My professional and personal experiences have shown me the profound impact that accessible and equitable healthcare can have on a woman's life. The Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation supports Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia, an organization dedicated to treating and preventing obstetric fistula. While virtually unheard of in Australia, this devastating childbirth injury is common in Ethiopia where many women lack access to emergency medical care. The foundation serves these women—who are often marginalized and ostracized by their communities—by providing free, compassionate care through its hospitals, clinics, and the Hamlin College of Midwives. The 25-kilometer distance of this walk reflects the average journey many women in rural Ethiopia must make, often barefoot, to receive the care they desperately need. I'm doing this walk because I believe no woman should have to suffer in silence when a cure is within reach. The funds we raise have a tangible and life-changing impact. Just AUD$1500 can cover the cost of a life-changing fistula repair surgery at one of Hamlin's six hospitals in Ethiopia. By contributing, you're not just providing a medical procedure; you're giving a woman a path to recovery, hope, and social reintegration. You're helping her return to her community with dignity, free from the physical pain and emotional shame she may have endured for months, years, or even decades. The funds also help train midwives, creating a sustainable solution to prevent this injury from happening in the first place. Please help me do it for her. Every little bit helps!