Here's to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. May we raise them.
- vernonme21
- Mar 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 10
Hello friends, family, and newcomers. Welcome back or welcome to my blog where I am sharing all things leading up to my first humanitarian mission in Eldoret, Kenya. I want to take today to celebrate International Women's day and shine a light on the amazing, strong, resilient women at GynoCare and Beyond Fistula.
IWD honors womens acheivements, advocates for equlaity, and calls for action to end violance against women. The UN first celebrated International Women's Day 50 years ago.
Today, we honor and celebrate the women of Africa. The horrors faced by many women in Sub-Saharan Africa are beyond comprehension. I've spoken with some of the remarkable leaders of the organizations we will support, and the stories they share about how some women came to them, what they endured, and how they lived broke my heart. These women labor for over three days at a time, losing their babies, suffering from unimaginable obstetric fistulas, abscesses, stool exiting from their vaginas, urine incontinence, and more. Some women are brought to the hospital in wheelbarrows, expelled from their homes, and forced to live in sheds. I don't share these stories to sadden anyone but to highlight their reality, because understanding their journey requires knowing where they came from. I share them because when you see photos and videos of these women living their lives post-surgery, you wouldn't guess they've endured the unthinkable, been treated so poorly, or carried such burdens. When you see the photos and videos that I will share below you will see light, you will see radiance, you will see hope and happiness. You will see women learning new skills, returning to school, caring for their children, and reintegrating into society. These women are a testament to resilience, they are the beauty in life, they are strength, courage, and bravery. They are why we celebrate days like today and why we honor women. They inspire our continued fight for women's rights, our efforts to end violence against women, and our commitment to sharing stories and raising awareness. Every opportunity to learn more leaves me with chills. I am certain these women will change my life, and I feel deeply honored to be a small part of their care and journey, as they become a part of mine.
Thank you to Azucena at Beyond Fistula for providing me with the photos you see below, and thank you to the women for agreeing to let me share them.
Next, I would like to introduce Debbie, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Beyond Fistula, previously known as "a little 4 a lot". To remind you, Beyond Fistula is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping obstetric fistula survivors heal and rebuild their lives post-surgery. They offer counseling, vocational training, and scholarships for the women. Debbie visited Gynocare in 2011 and identified a need for post-fistula services. Initially, she funded several women to return to school, as that was their goal after recovering from fistula repair surgery. The initiative gradually expanded from six women to twelve, and so on. The nonprofit has now supported 830 women in going through the program, acquiring new skills, completing their education, and reintegrating into society. The work they do to help these women recover and have a chance at a better life is truly commendable. Speaking with Debbie, hearing her story, and listening to her experiences with the women was remarkable. Thank you, Debbie, Carole, Irene, Sharon, and the rest of the Beyond Fistula staff, for your dedication to the program and the incredible women. Without you all, Beyond Fistula would not be where it is today.
Finally, I want to give a big shoutout to all the women involved in the campaign. From our surgeons and nurses to our social workers, administrative staff, and IT team, you are all incredible. Thank you for volunteering your time and giving back. I am honored to work alongside each of you. I am especially honored to embark on this trip with my colleagues from the clinic. These two women exemplify strength, courage, determination, and grit. Although there are moments when I feel a bit intimidated by them—kind of, but not really—I know that being with them challenges me and makes me a better nurse. Women in medicine always have to work extra hard to prove ourselves and show that we belong. I have the opportunity to learn from the best, be around the best, and share these life-changing moments with the best. Blessed doesn't even begin to describe it. Thank you for all you guys do, are doing, and will do.
Countless incredible women and their inspiring stories deserve recognition. Today, we celebrate them all. As Michelle Obama famously stated, there is no limit to what we as women can accomplish. By uniting, we can keep breaking barriers, supporting communities, and striving for a healthier, more promising future. Wishing a Happy International Women's Day to women everywhere.
All Love,
Meg
Below are the websites associated with Gynocare and Beyond Fistula. Sharing the incredible work of these facilities is crucial. You can explore their history in detail and consider making a donation if you wish.
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