Heart bleeds for mothers-to-be in Ethiopia

THREE local sisters are rallying together to make safe births a family affair.
Motivated by their own experiences, Natasha Myers, Melissa Shulze and Melinda Shulze have joined forces to support mothers-to-be in remote Ethiopia to have safe and healthy births.
“At the young age of 16, I became a mother of a beautiful baby boy. Luckily, I live in Australia where I have access to doctors, midwives, hospitals, ambulances, blood transfusions, medicines and lots of support,” Melissa said.
“But my heart goes out to these young mothers in Ethiopia who suffer through dangerous childbirth alone, in excruciating pain and with no help. I cannot imagine a place without any available doctors, midwives, hospitals, medicines and transport.”
The local sisters intend to raise funds for a charity in Ethiopia, The Hamlin Fistula charity, which helps women to give birth safely and also works to eradicate a common birth injury.
“Fistula is the medical term for a particular birth injury where there is a hole between the bladder and the birth canal and sometimes even a second hole into the bowel,” Natasha said.
“It is the common outcome of prolonged, obstructed labour which causes permanent internal damage and incontinence. The consequences for the women are horrendous; they often become social outcasts and are forced to live in huts some distance from their families.
“Their suffering is lifelong if left untreated, and the shame of their condition and the lack of any hope of living a normal life can lead many to despair.”
The Hamlin Fistula charity was founded by Dr Catherine Hamlin and has delivered free surgical treatment to over 45,000 women in Ethiopia.
The sisters are busy raising $15,000, a required donation for anyone who wishes to visit the charity, through crowdfunding and a community charity auction so that Melissa and Natasha can visit the charity in November.
“We are hosting a free community charity auction at the Tewantin Noosa Cricket Club grounds on Saturday 9 July from 10am until midday,” Melissa said.
“There will be a lot of family fun including a barbecue, fairy floss, face painting, jumping castle, coffee van, African bazaar, lucky door prizes, raffles, silent auctions and more.
“The items up for auction include restaurant vouchers, gym memberships, golf rounds, jewellery, homewares and tickets to coasts attractions and amusements, just to name a few.”
All funds raised at the auction will go towards the charity.
While Natasha is able to self-fund the additional travel costs, Melissa will aim to raise an additional $8000 via local crowdfunding site www.unityaid.com.