My Nonprofit Reviews

NOVA's "A Walk to Beautiful" enlightened me to the tragic problem of obstetric problems leading to vaginal-bowel/bladder fistulas.

Women who marry young and/or have a small stature (e.g. from a diet insufficient in calories to promote adequate growth) are at increased risk of an obstructed labor. This can lead to fistula as the birthing pressure cuts off blood circulation to vaginal, bladder, and/or bowel tissue which can become necrotic. And the walls of these organs may fuse leaving an open passage. Consequently, the woman may lose any bowel/bladder control as feces or urine leak from the vagina.

This becomes a living hell as the lack of sanitation facilities, running water, etc leaves fistula sufferers as messy malodorous social pariahs -- shunned and unwelcome anywhere.

I've been a regular donor to The Fistula Foundation for years and have been kept apprised of their ongoing expansion of facilities and services in many needed locations.

And I add that they have not used my donations to relentlessly hound me for more and more money. They are good stewards.

I'd rank them just below Doctors Without Borders and only because (MSF) works in dangerous and war-torn areas.