Leticia

Leticia got pregnant at the age of 18. She was forced to drop out of school and her boyfriend refused to take responsibility for her pregnancy.

When Leticia went into labor she was rushed to the nearby health center, where she stayed for 2 days. Leticia had complications with an obstructed labor caused by the baby too big for her to deliver. Leticia was later referred to another hospital where she delivered her baby but unfortunately the complications meant the baby was stillborn.

After she was discharged from the hospital a few days later she noticed she was leaking urine. Leticia went back to the hospital where she was referred to our Fistula Care Centre, but had to wait for 3 months before coming to allow her body to heal from her pregnancy.  Leticia came to the center in October 2023 and had a successful fistula operation. She was discharged on 8^th November 2023.

During her time at the center she participated in various social reintegration activities such as arts and crafts classes, numeracy and literacy classes and cooking classes. She especially enjoyed the cooking classes.

As part of our micro-enterprise initiative, on discharge Leticia received a solar charging station. She is able to charge phones for a fee, light her home and support herself financially. To date (Dec 2023) Leticia has made MK 16,400. On an average day she charges 9 phones and makes MK 200 per phone.

Leticia has invested in a Madasi business with MK 5,000 as capital, making a profit of MK 1,200 each day. She sells her madasi at the nearby school. So far, she has been able to save MK 10,000. Leticia plans to start another business with her profits, selling soap in her village, which is not easy to source.Leticia is also planning to return to school next year after she has fully recovered from her fistula operation and one day hopes to become a nurse.

“I’m grateful being cured from fistula and I’m also grateful for giving me a solar business unit which helps me make money to support myself and my parents.”