Haoua, 22 years old, was in labor for 7 days in her Grandmother's house
On the 7th day, family members carried her to the clinic - but it was too late for Haoua and her baby. The infant was dead and Haoua had experienced terrible damage to her body from 7 painful days of unattended labor. Leaking urine from a fistula, Haoua managed to get to the National Hospitalin late November of 2003. In April of 2004, after extensive surgery by IOWD surgeons, Haoua was well again. She stayed in the hospital until June, when Haoua was discharged.
During the time Haoua was at the National Hospital, she made many friends with the fistula women living in the courtyard - it was not easy to leave them. On the day Haoua was to depart, she bathed with the special pretty soap she had been given, sprayed herself with another gift of perfume, braided her hair, put on a new dress and her new earrings that IOWD had presented to her, and came to say goodbye to them and a gracious "thank you" to Barbara Margolies, Director of IOWD. Although a joyous moment for both women, tears flowed freely as their goodbyes were exchanged. And Haoua was on her way to catch the bus to Dosso.
Haoua returned to the Hospital for a follow-up exam. Everything was fine for her medically - but Haoua stayed to visit with her old friends in the courtyard. One particular day, Haoua walked with the doctors as they were doing their rounds - and she gave out lollipops provided by IOWD. As the doctors were handing medications to the women, Haoua promptly took water and gently lifted each girl's head and helped them to swallow the pills. Nobody told her to do this - she just did it!!! Unknowingly, this kind gesture would change Haoua's life! IOWD offered Haoua a job as an assistant in the hospital.
She helps the girls with their medications, she reminds them to drink all day long and she helps them get up and walk. If a patient doesn't feel well, they tell Haoua and she reports the problem to Hassan, the Head Nurse and to Rebecca, the PeaceCorps Volunteer working with IOWD. The Director of the Hospital, Dr. Sabou has given Haoua permission to live in the Hospital - she also has food provided for her by the hospital! When Haoua is not helping the fistula patients, she spends time with Rebecca, learning how to read and write! Ten months after coming to the National Hospital, this pretty, vivaciousyoung girl, is no longer leaking urine - she has a paying job and a brightfuture! We are hoping there will be many other stories like this one in the future.....
Haoua married Babaye in 2005. Babaye designs and creates beautiful silver jewelry for sale in Niamey. With Babaye in complete agreement, Haoua will continue to work for IOWD as a nursing assistant at the National Hospital.
With money that Haoua had saved from her IOWD salary, she was able to purchase her wedding bed! She is so proud of herself - and we are all so proud of Haoua. We wish Haoua and Babaye great happiness and good health in their new life together!
- text courtest of www.NigerFistula.org. For more stories click here.
