Rosette Tushabe, from Rakai District, Central Uganda, developed a fistula while giving birth. After her repair surgery, TERREWODE helped her become a proud survivor. It is unimaginable to Rosette what her life would have been without her participation in the reintegration program at Terrewode Women’s Community Hospital (TWCH).
Early Difficulties
Rosette’s suffering began early. Her mother died, and her alcoholic father denied her an education and married her off at 14 to an elderly man. After multiple miscarriages, she finally gave birth to a daughter, and barely a year later, she gave birth again through a cesarian section at Rakai Health Center IV, but sadly, the baby was stillborn. Rosette’s surgical wound became septic quickly, and Rosette’s uncontrollable urine flow began.
Following this tragic experience, Rosette stayed with her father who heard on the radio about the fistula surgical camp at Mubende Regional Referral Hospital. With logistics and costs coordinated by TERREWODE, the doctors there completed a successful fistula repair for Rosette. However, she had to cross an important bridge—from her difficult birth, her newborn dying, surgery and the shame of living with a fistula—to a healthy, confident life.
In Rosette’s Own Words
“At first, I didn’t know what it [social reintegration] was all about! But the team from TERREWODE visited me at Mubende Hospital where I was receiving treatment for fistula; they also promised to invite me for reintegration training. I went back home and prepared my mind to attend the 14-day intensive program. The dances, the fun moments and the knowledge I received during the program have been valuable.”
Reintegration Training Accomplishes so Much
Most TERREWODE clients take advantage of the reintegration training. And after her healing process, Rosette joined a new enrollment group of other survivors, many former fellow fistula patients. Their comprehensive program, which included literacy education, so essential to their futures, also explored maternal health and safe motherhood, obstetric causes of fistula, treatment and family planning. The participants left the program with skills and knowledge in human rights, gender equality, leadership, advocacy and entrepreneurship. They improved their capacity to earn personal income, create community support groups, and effectively manage savings and credit groups. In essence, the program equipped Rosette and her fellow enrollees to start a new life of dignity.
Staying connected with these forward-thinking participants, TERREWODE continues mentoring and supporting them in connecting with government poverty alleviation program opportunities, such as the Parish economic model, Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Project, Northern Uganda Social Action Fund and Operation Wealth Creation plan. Many, like Rosette, go on to serve in their communities as volunteer fistula ambassadors. It is very sobering and effective for other women and girls to hear from a peer/neighbor about the potentially tragic consequences of a labor and delivery gone horribly wrong.
Rosette Sees a Hopeful Future
“This training has made me think of a new beginning for myself. I have been cultivating maize and beans that I partly sell to earn a living. Now I am going to use this knowledge I received to start a daily business of selling pancakes.”