Vivian's Story

V i v i a n ' s S t o r y

Magu, Mwanza, Tanzania

Vivian and her husband Lawi Musa have five children—three boys and two girls. All their children are studying – the eldest at university in Arusha, and the youngest still in primary school.

When Vivian gave birth to her youngest, complications in her labour and birth meant that she developed obstetric fistula – an internal injury which causes the uncontrollable leakage of urine and/or faeces. It is a condition that causes women to self-isolate from family and community, and through myths it causes communities to ostracise women.

“I clearly remember it was when we had our youngest,” says Lawi Musa. “That’s when the issue began. At first, many people said it was witchcraft or some kind of curse.”

“Honestly, it was a very difficult time. It was a huge challenge for my family.”

Vivian was referred to a local hospital by the midwife who delivered her son, when she came on a home visit and saw the issues Vivian was facing. At the local hospital, they were told of the Amref-supported programme for fistula survivors which would cover all the expenses—from transport to surgery, food and recovery—for Vivian to get fistula repair surgery.

Vivian managed to receive care quickly and with dignity, but that is not always the case for women with fistula. The stigma around the condition, and the associated myths, mean that women are frequently hidden or hide themselves away from society and suffer in silence.

"When Vivian came back home after treatment, we knew that the condition was treatable."

"We started encouraging one another to find others who might be going through the same challenge and let them know that it is treatable."

“We found a woman living in a nearby village. We connected her with a fistula ambassador (Amref-trained community members who find and support women living with fistula) who was able to reach her, support her to get treatment."

"So we did not just keep the good thing that was done for us to ourselves.”

As the saying goes: "A good thing is meant to be shared".

Healing opened the door to stability and growth for Vivian and Lawi Musa. After her free obstetric fistula surgery and recovery, they moved out of a rented single room and into a house they built themselves. They also expanded the small home‑based tailoring venture they once ran into a separate business centre in town.

Vivian credits the no‑cost treatment package, covering surgery, food, transport and other essentials, for sparing the family crushing medical debt and letting them focus on rebuilding their lives. The psycho-social support provided through the Amref programme helped survivors to rebuild their lives after surgery; connecting back with their family, communities and finding work to earn an income.

With that head start, Vivian and Lawi Musa built and expanded their own business, creating a steady income that has supported all their children through school and university and enabled them to build their own home and a bright future for their family.

“

Your help with the services I received when I was sick has been very special. We know surgery is very expensive. So with our livelihood back then, I don’t think we could have managed those costs.

So we’re very grateful for that help. Because the treatment I received was free. All my other needs were provided for free—even the transport to the health centre.

Vivian Nandi, Magu, Mwanza, Tanzania

“Honestly, it was a very difficult time. It was a huge challenge for my family.”

"When Vivian came back home after treatment, we knew that the condition was treatable."

As the saying goes: "A good thing is meant to be shared".

Coumba Aw

Beyondthe Stories