Hawa Awil Yusuf, a 20-year-old woman from a rural village in Bakool, Lower Shabelle State, endured unimaginable hardship at a young age. Married at just 15, she faced her first pregnancy without any medical care or assistance.
During labor, a non-skilled midwife used excessive force to assist her delivery. After seven agonizing days of pushing, Hawa delivered a stillborn baby. The traumatic birth caused severe injuries to her bladder, leaving her with a vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF). From that moment on, she lived with uncontrollable urine leakage, a condition that brought relentless physical pain and emotional suffering.
“For years, I felt trapped in my body,” Hawa recalls. “The constant leakage and the smell made me avoid people. I was ashamed, lonely, and hopeless.”
For five years, Hawa sought help at local clinics, undergoing multiple attempts at conservative management. Despite her efforts, her condition remained unresolved. The stigma she faced from her community only deepened her isolation, plunging her into severe depression and loneliness.
Hawa’s life took a turn when she learned about a fistula surgery campaign at the National Fistula Centre in Dayniile Hospital, Mogadishu. Funded by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) and implemented by Physicians Across Continents (PAC) in collaboration with UNFPA Somalia, the campaign offered her a glimmer of hope.
Motivated by the possibility of recovery, Hawa made the challenging journey to Mogadishu. At Dayniile Hospital, she was assessed by a team of trained medical professionals who confirmed the presence of a vesico-vaginal fistula. Recognizing the urgency of her case, the team performed a successful surgical procedure to repair her injuries.
“I cannot describe the joy I felt after the surgery,” Hawa shares with a smile. “For the first time in years, I didn’t feel the constant leakage. I felt like I could breathe again. I am so grateful to KSrelief and everyone who made this possible.”
The impact of the campaign extended beyond the operating room. PAC ensured that Hawa received comprehensive emotional care through the Psychosocial Support and Counseling Centre at Dayniile Hospital. Here, she found a safe space to share her struggles and gain tools to rebuild her confidence and cope with life’s challenges.
“Counseling helped me see that I am not alone,” Hawa says. “It gave me the strength to believe in a better future.”
Hawa’s story is one of resilience and transformation, made possible by KSrelief’s unwavering commitment to improving lives. Through its generous funding, KSrelief has enabled thousands of women like Hawa to access life-changing surgeries and emotional support.
The ongoing partnership between KSrelief, PAC, and UNFPA Somalia continues to address the devastating impact of obstetric fistulas across Somalia. These efforts not only restore women’s health but also their dignity, empowering them to reclaim their place in their communities.
“KSrelief gave me back my life,” Hawa says. “I will forever be thankful for their kindness and support. They have turned my pain into hope.”
