Hamlin Fistula UK

09/10/2026

Thinking about writing or updating your Will?

Through our partnership with the National Free Wills Network, you can have a free simple Will written by a reputable solicitor local to you.

There’s no obligation to leave a gift to charity, but if you do choose to leave a gift to Hamlin Fistula UK, your legacy could help train midwives and ensure more women in Ethiopia can give birth safely, with skilled healthcare by their side.

Find out more and register your interest:

An up-to-date Will is the best way to help our loved ones after we’ve passed away. We’ve partnered with the National Free Wills Network to help you write your Will at no cost to you.

05/10/2026

Would you like to learn more about how we find and treat women living with birth injuries in Ethiopia?

On Thursday 22 October at 12:30pm, we'll be hosting a special lunchtime webinar where you can find out more about our work and the life-changing surgery we provide.

Hamlin Fistula UK CEO, Helen Marriott, will be joined by:
Hewete Haileselassie, Hamlin Fistula UK Trustee
Tolera Adamu, Patient Identification Officer
Dr Biniyam Sirak, Medical Director and Surgeon

Don't miss this opportunity to hear directly from our team, find out more about mission and see the impact your support makes. Sign up for free today.

Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams

29/09/2026

Over recent weeks, ongoing security challenges in parts of northern Ethiopia have created difficulties for humanitarian activities.

This poses real risks for vulnerable women travelling from rural areas to Hamlin Fistula centres in Tigray and Amhara regions. It is impacting local communities already affected by extreme weather and drought patterns. The safety and well-being of our patients and dedicated healthcare staff remains our highest priority.

Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia is actively monitoring local conditions. We are adapting operations to ensure that essential clinical care and patient services can continue. Our leadership team in Addis Ababa is providing operational and psychological support to all regional staff.

We will share further updates with Hamlin Fistula UK supporters when we can.

Over recent weeks, ongoing security challenges in parts of northern Ethiopia have created difficulties for humanitarian activities. This poses real risks for vulnerable women travelling from rural…

28/09/2026

Last week, we attended The Saltways' annual Charity Film Festival as we had been nominated for Best Campaign Film. We were absolutely delighted to take home the award.

The film tells the story of Iman, a young woman in Ethiopia whose life was changed by an obstetric fistula caused by prolonged labour. While surgery can successfully repair the injury in the vast majority of cases, sadly, this is not always possible.

For women in this situation, the choices can be incredibly difficult. They may have to live with the pain, stigma and emotional trauma of the condition, or undergo irreversible surgery to have a stoma fitted.

We made Iman’s Story to shine a light on her experience and the realities faced by women living with obstetric fistula, and to help ensure their voices are heard.

Winning Best Campaign Film was a huge honour and a wonderful recognition of everyone who helped bring Iman’s story to life.

A huge thank you to The Saltways for hosting such a wonderful and inspiring event. It was a privilege to see so many powerful charity films celebrated, and we were truly inspired by the incredible work of all the nominees. We would also like to thank Fat Rat Films, Maheder Haileselassie and everyone else involved in making Iman’s Story.

“I know living with this bag is going to be hard, but I don’t have a choice. I am happy that I got the treatment and have a chance to live a better life.”

25/09/2026

When a woman arrives for fistula surgery, she is often scared, cold and alone. Your gift can help make her feel welcomed, loved and valued.
For just £33 you could give her a fresh start.

Please, donate today: https://hamlinfistulauk.org/give-freshstart

21/09/2026

We'd like to wish the Association of Stoma Care Nurses UK a fantastic conference! We hope you have a wonderful time sharing knowledge, learning, connecting with colleagues and celebrating the incredible work of stoma care nurses across the UK.

You can find out more about stomas and the difference they make on our website:

When repair is impossible, urinary diversion surgery and a stoma may be the only way to restore comfort, confidence and independence.

18/09/2026

“When it came time to deliver, my labour lasted for four painful days at home. Our house is only a 30-minute walk from the local health centre, so we walked there with my family. From the health centre, I was referred to Bedesa Hospital, where I had to deliver my baby through a C-section. Tragically, my first baby passed away."

There are far too many heart-breaking stories that begin like Mefituha's in rural Ethiopia. Fortunately, our work changes how many of them end.

Read Mefituha's full story in her words.

Mefituha is from Boke in the West Harar Zone of the Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Here she tells her story in her own words. “When I was 15, I married out of my own choice. Six months into our marriage…

14/09/2026

There's just one month to go until our next blanket collection week! It's our last one of the year, so if you're knitting a blanket for the women in our care, please aim to get it to us between 12-16 October.

We have very limited storage space, so please avoid sending it to arrive outside of these dates.

You can find all the details about where and how to send it on our website, as well as some labels you can download and include so we know where each blanket has come from.

Knit a handmade blanket for women recovering from childbirth injuries in Ethiopia. Join Hamlin Fistula UK’s Knitted with Love volunteers today.

11/09/2026

Melkam Addis Amet!

Today, Ethiopia celebrates Enkutatash, the Ethiopian New Year.

Enkutatash means "gift of jewels" in Amharic. It's a very happy period of renewal and thanksgiving. Families and friends exchange flowers and small gifts, children sing New Year songs, and loved ones gather around the table to share traditional meals of injera and doro wat.
The Ethiopian New Year begins in September when the rainy season comes to an end and the land turns green with bright yellow flowers blooming.

For the women in our care at Hamlin, New Year is more than a holiday. It's symbolic of hope and a fresh start after life-changing surgery.

From all of us at Hamlin Fistula UK: Melkam Addis Amet (or Happy New Year)!

08/09/2026

We are so proud to see Iman’s Story recognised as a finalist in the Charity Film Festival, it's an honour to be short-listed alongside so many inspiring charity films.
Our film tells the story of Iman's decision to undergo irreversible urinary diversion surgery, supported by specialist nurse Sister Tigist from Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia. At the heart of the story is a lifelong promise made by the charity to women who will require medical care and supplies for the rest of their lives.
We would like to thank all those involved, including Iman, Sister Tigist and Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia , Fat Rat Films and Maheder Haileselassie for their valuable input and collaboration.
Watch Iman's story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nik2vu8gAwc