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The Fistula Foundation
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April 27, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
Aira Hospital in Ethiopia received financial support from The Fistula Foundation to provide free surgical treatment of women with obstetrical fistulas. The support has had an imediate and profound impact on our fistula service, a tremedous help for the hospital and the suffering women with fistulas.
The Fistula Foundation has a straight forward and no nonsense approach without a lot of red tapes. A God sent NGO!
The Fistula Foundation and its dedicated staff has my most profound respect.
Dr Erik Erichsen
Senior surgeon
Aira Hospital
Ethiopia
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Ethiopia
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Change nothing
2 people found this review helpful
April 23, 2011
2 people found this review helpful
I contacted The Fistula Foundation in 2010 to enquire about working together in Bangladesh with my organization- Hope Foundation for Women and Children of Bangladesh - to help women suffering from fistula. My experience when contacting the organization has been nothing short of extraordinary. The staff, especially the director, was welcoming, responsive and after explaining our experience and capability in Bangladesh, the Fistula Foundation welcomed our application to award a grant. In 12 years of existance this is the first time we received a grant wish such efficiency, as a result we were able to start working on the project without wasting any time. I am very impressed at the way The Fistula Foundation interacted with our organization. Having dealt with several donor organizations in the past, it is my experience that Fistula Foundation deals with grantees most respectfully, expeditiously and effectively. Also, the Foundation has been very quick and courteous about providing suggestions and guidance when needed. They also funded and sent a renowned Fistula surgeon to our hospital in Bangladesh from WAHA International, France to operate on 15 cases in just few months after the grant was awarded to our organization. I believe this partnership with The Fistula Foundation opened a new opportunity for us to serve many unfortunate women who are suffering from this dreaded condition and help them to see a new meaning of life, that is without shame and embarrasment, free of endliess pain and suffering, help these women to be finally happy. There is a tremendous need in Bangladesh and we aim to continue with a long partnership with The Fistula Foundation.
Photos
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Bangladesh
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Help to spread the word about the good work that this foundation does.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
How did you find this group?
On-line reasearch
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
March 31, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
The Fistula Foundation is a non profit whose work far exceeds a charge to do good; this is a charge for change on a global stage. When you learn about fistula, you cannot forget it. It haunts you. It pulls at your soul, to take up the charge and help in the fight to heal and regain dignity and to be alive in the world again.
Have you heard the story of Mahabouba Mohammed? In 2003, Nicholas Kristof, wrote about Mahabouba in his New York Times article:”Alone and Ashamed.” Today, I saw Mahabouba’s story through the eyes of Dr. Sr. Priscilla Busigye at the Maternal Deaths & Fistula Multi-Religious Forum:Faith Securing Maternal Health hosted by Religions for Peace and the United Nations Foundation. I listened with tears in my eyes to a child’s story of horror and an unbreakable spirit. I then reached out to the Fistula Foundation to become educated on this dreadful illness and they provided me with expert advice and a charge to help them in their efforts to eradicate this dreadful suffering.
As the executive director of the Salus Foundation, (a nonprofit founded to educate and help poor girls and their families) I learned through the conference and most importantly through the education of the Fistula Foundation about this dreadful suffering. Fistula which reduces the poor to the lowest unimaginable depths, must and should be eradicated.
The Fistula Foundation is world class in their commitment and work to work to eradicate this curable suffering. They must and should be supported by all of us.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Through pictures and testimonials of those who are dedicated to the eradication of Fistula and those who have suffered.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would provide them with all the resources needed to eradicate Fistula in world wide.
March 29, 2011
Having worked in international development for obver 30 years - and seeing the debilitating impact of fistula on women in developing coumtries, it was a great privilege to join the Board of the Fistula Foundation when I retired 3 1/2 years ago. The organisation has grown dramatically in that time, moving from providing assistance in only one country to now helping hospitals and clinics in 11 countries in Africa and Asia. The small. yet dedicated and capable staff are committed to alleviating the terrible suffering of women with fistula and have developed important partnerships with other likeminded organisations. Their commitment to accountability to our donors and partners, as well as the women we serve, has resulted in consistently high recognition from charity watch groups like the BBB and Charity Navigator. I have witnessed the light come back into a woman's eyes, and new hope in her heart after she has received the surgery necessary to heal her fistuila. Along with the gift of healing, she has gained back her dignity. Therefore, I strongly encourage anyone interested in making a difference in even one woman's life to support the work of the Fistula Foundation. At a personal level it is a way that I can respond to the biblical directive - much is expected from those to whom much has been given. I am so grateful to be able to participate in and support the work of the Fistula Foundation.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Ethiopia
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
only want to see it grow so that it could reach even more women with the knowledge and healing they need.
March 28, 2011
I read an article in the paper about the Fistula Foundation and was bothered by the lack of medical treatment for many woman. I was upset for several days when I would think of the isolation and the loneliness these woman must feel. I also thought how lucky I have have been living in the United States with great health care. Having health care options when delivering my children as well as great after care is something I took for granted for myself and had never considered it would be different for woman around the world. As a woman I feel I must contribute to other woman in our world that are less fortunate than I.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have read about the results of this organization, but have been lucky that I live in a country that provides great woman's health care
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would not change anything.
March 28, 2011
Since I have been back to work, my volunteer time has been cut back, but that doesn’t mean that my concern regarding this issue has declined.
It has always been a point of pride that I was able to volunteer for such a stellar entity addressing a fundamental concern for women. The opportunities to help -- whether with mailings, analyzing conference data, or gift fulfillment-- each was a welcome option to contribute.
Knowing the stringent adherence to donor wishes, and having participated in fulfilling donor desires regarding gift fulfillment, it has always been clear to me that the Fistula Foundation treats donor requirements for donations with integrity. There also is never any issue as to where the funds are going….they are going to the grantees in a timely fashion.
So thanks for the opportunity to contribute, whether time, talent, or funds, to an entity that deploys those contributions responsibly.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
As a volunteer, fulfilling donor gifts, and processing mailings; also have provided feedback when asked by Exec Director for various campaign ideas.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Would increase campaigns so that there is one at least every quarter.
March 28, 2011
I came in contact with the Fistula Foundation when I called in the office to ask if the organization could come and give a presentation to a room full of JSAers (Junior Statesmen of America). My experience with the Fistula Foundation was a very good one. They were extremely nice and good people, and they ran an incredible organization. After our meeting at the Fair they kept in contact and are today a great friend of mine.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Jsa Political Fairing
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
not make any changes
March 28, 2011
Three years ago while reading Dr. Catherine Hamlin’s book, The Hospital by the River: A Story of Hope, I was moved by the terrible circumstances women with a fistula have to face. When my friend introduced me to the work of the Fistula Foundation in 2010, I was thrilled to learn they support Dr. Hamlin’s work along with many other hospitals worldwide that offer the life changing fistula repair. Soon I became a donor and joined the Circle of Friends program as a volunteer. All my interactions with the staff at the Fistula Foundation have been incredibly rewarding. Although small, it’s clear the staff is hardworking, helpful, prompt, pleasant and creative. Their four star rating from Charity Navigator (five years in a row!) clearly demonstrates they are accountable and go the extra mile for those suffering with a fistula. I find the website very user friendly and I especially like the One Woman’s Story feature, highlighting stories of women who have had fistula surgery and received a chance to regain their health along with new life and new hope. It’s very powerful. As a mother of a child adopted from Ethiopia, I feel this is a great organization to team up with to help women in my child’s country of origin as well as other women around the world who suffer from this terrible condition.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
…my volunteer work for the Fistula Foundation’s Circle of Friends Program. My friend created the Circle of Hope which I joined soon after. One of our goals is to create awareness of the fistula issue. The Fistula Foundation has been incredibly helpful to us by efficiently supplying all of the materials and support we need. Educating others about fistulas has been a great deal easier with the support of the Fistula Foundation.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I can't think of any changes needed - just more of the same!
March 24, 2011
I began to contribute to the Fistula Foundation in 2003, after I read an Op-Ed piece by Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times. The article moved me deeply. So often, we get so caught up in our own lives that we become oblivious to the suffering of others in other parts of the world. This article and the movie "A Walk to Beautiful" led me to help alleviate the suffering of women afflicted with fistulas. As a donor, I appreciate the ease with which I can contribute (monthly by a charge to my credit card) and look forward to the newsletters, which bring me up-to-date on the Foundation's activities. I also appreciate the fact that this organization is committed to maintaining a low overhead, so that as much money as possible can go for the Foundation's mission. I would highly recommend the Fistula Foundation to potential donors as an effective and efficient way to alleviate suffering of people who have no one else to advocate for them.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
reading the newsletters and the website published by the Fistula Foundation.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
be hard pressed to know what to recommend; they're close to perfect!
March 24, 2011
I have been an active Circle of Friends volunteer with the Fistula Foundation since the October of 2010 and it has changed my life. Girls and women with fistula are ostracized and cut off from society. At best they are existing rather than truly living. There hopes and dreams are lost. It is such an honor to raise funds for girls and women worldwide who are suffering from fistula so they can have access to free life-changing and hope-restoring surgery. Doing this along with the Fistula Foundation gives me the confidence that our donations will reach those in greatest need, that I will always be kept current about this issue through organization updates, and that through my efforts lives will be changed. The Fistula Foundation's passion is apparent in all they do and this organization makes serving these deserving girls and women pure joy! It is my hope that I can serve with the Fistula Foundation until fistula is eradicated!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
my work with the Circle of Friends program. Our group (Circle of Hope) has received help and encouragement from the Fistula Foundation on numerous occasions that has enabled us to share the story of fistula sufferers with clarity and passion. This has resulted in numerous donations for life-changing and hope-restoring surgery and continuous hope that we have a strong and capable organization behind us as we serve these girls and women who have lost all hope.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
duplicate everyone so more could be done with the same passion, quality, fiscal responsibility and heart! This is one amazing organization!
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