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Irene’s Story: From loss to survival to dream job

Liz Gillespie

There was no doctor at the health center when Irene Ainyo arrived in the midst of a very difficult labor. Nurses there realized she needed a C-section to safely deliver and referred her to the closest regional hospital — almost a two-hour drive from her village in Eastern Uganda. Once again, she was greeted with the same news. No doctor to help her. She would have to travel to yet another hospital.


By the time she made it to her third stop, the mother of two was bleeding heavily and writhing in pain. Her uterus had ruptured and had to be removed. She almost died. She lost her baby. And soon she realized she was leaking urine constantly. It was the beginning of Irene’s agonizing journey with obstetric fistula.


Because of the odor caused by the leaking, Irene said, “My husband could not stand me and he chased me away from his home. I went back to my parents and even back at home there were some people who abandoned me. I isolated myself from society and couldn’t even work to earn income. My life had become so worthless.” 


Despair gives way to hope



Listening to the radio one day, Irene heard about a grassroots group working to break the silence about obstetric fistula and connect more women to treatment. This was back in 2016, before Terrewode Women's Community Hospital opened its doors — so they sent her to the regional referral hospital in Soroti, where she got fistula treatment and began the healing process.


“Terrewode showed me love. They brought for me soap, sugar, money for general upkeep, and even gave me transport to return home after treatment,” Irene said.


Like many fistula survivors, Irene struggled even as she healed. Nothing about life felt normal, or anything close to how things were before. Then Terrewode invited her to take part in their Reintegration Program for counseling, education, and other support that helps fistula survivors build back a sense of belonging in their community as they heal.


From isolation to solidarity


Irene found strength through counseling and connecting with women who had gone through similar experiences. A few years later, when Terrewode Women's Community Hospital opened, Irene was invited join the staff as a caretaker. She didn’t hesitate. She knew it would be a dream job, and it has been ever since.



Since 2019, Irene and other caretakers on staff at Terrewode Women’s Community Hospital have looked after children as their mothers receive fistula treatment. Caretakers also provide emotional support to patients, serve meals and tea, accompany them on walks about the hospital grounds, and encourage them on their healing journey.

“I feel this experience is empowering for me even. It is very rewarding. I find comfort in knowing that I’m playing a crucial part in the healing process for my fellow sisters.”

— Irene


A calling for caretaking


Many caretakers at Terrewode Women’s Community Hospital are fistula survivors, but not all.


Margaret Arienyo has never experienced any childbirth injury, herself, but shares a profound sense of purpose about her role taking care of patients and their children during their hospital stay.


“Every day that I come to work, I am given the chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the vulnerable mothers here by caring and loving them. I love them all wholeheartedly, regardless of their story.”


Margaret learned about the opening on Terrewode’s caretaking staff from an auntie, a fistula survivor who was supporting Terrewode’s community awareness and advocacy work. She’s worked as a Terrewode caretaker for five and a half years and feels a deep sense of fulfillment about her job.

“I am there for the babies when the mothers are unable to be because of their health. They feel like they can trust me and focus on healing. I feel fulfilled because of this. My constant prayer is for their full recovery so they can reconnect with their children.”

— Margaret

 

More than 1,400 women and girls have received holistic, life-changing treatment for fistula and other childbirth injuries since Terrewode Women’s Community Hospital opened in August 2019.

 

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