Donate to help a woman
Emnet lost her baby - and almost her own life - during childbirth.
She was left paralysed, incontinent and grief stricken...until someone like you restored her life.
After an agonising, obstructed labour at home in rural Ethiopia, Emnet was carried to the nearest hospital in a coma. Doctors saved her life but her baby was stillborn.
Emnet sustained a horrific childbirth injury called an obstetric fistula, which left her leaking urine uncontrollably. Emnet was also paralysed.
She was transferred to Hamlin’s Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital for specialist treatment and care, free of charge. After rehabilitation and surgery, Emnet was dry and regained movement in her legs.
The Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital was the first hospital was established by Dr Catherine Hamlin and her husband, Reg in 1974 to cater for the thousands of women arriving for the Hamlin's life-changing obstetric fistula repair surgery. Catherine believed in holistic care and treatment that empowers women to reassert their humanity, secure their health and well-being, and regain their roles in their families and communities.
By donating, you're helping to heal, bring hope, and the restore of dignity to Ethiopian women.
Dr Catherine Hamlin AC
Dr Catherine Hamlin was a pioneering surgeon whose work for women with obstetric fistula in Ethiopia continued uninterrupted for more than half a century.
This debilitating injury is caused by a prolonged, obstructed labour because many Ethiopian women live in remote villages without access to emergency medical care during childbirth.
Although the condition is almost entirely preventable, it is still a huge public health issue. Without an understanding of the complication and its causes, a woman is frequently blamed for her condition.
Catherine and her husband, Dr Reg Hamlin went about dramatically transforming the maternal healthcare landscape for the women of Ethiopia. Today there are six Hamlin Fistula Hospitals, the Desta Mender Rehabiliation Centre, Hamlin College of Midwives and 90 Hamlin-supported midwifery clinics.
Catherine passed away in 2020 but her vision continues. Our goal is to ensure every woman in Ethiopia is able to deliver her baby safely and to reduce the number of obstetric fistula injuries to zero.
"I got cured. My legs walk normal. They treated me beautifully and I am ready to go home beautiful. I always thank them [Hamlin staff] for the rest of my life.” - Emnet
Where modest contributions can yield transformative results
Seeking to inspire others, Chrysos Chair Rob Adamson has laid down a challenge to the team by pledging to donate 30% of his 2024 annual Director fee towards both organisations (pro-rata from the commencement date of the relationships for 2024, and then 30% of his annual fee each subsequent year), underscoring a personal and professional ethos of giving back and engaging with communities to achieve meaningful positive results. This gesture, Mr Adamson hopes, will serve as motivation for every member of the Chrysos community to consider contributing to causes larger and more significant than the challenges they themselves may face on a daily basis.
Our alliance with the Catherine Hamlin Fistula Foundation exemplifies our commitment to addressing often overlooked health issues. Obstetric Fistula, a devastating condition resulting from childbirth complications, not only inflicts physical harm but also social exclusion. By supporting the Foundation, Chrysos contributes to a critical, yet easily remediable, healthcare gap. Our support embodies a commitment to healing, hope, and the restoration of dignity to countless women.
Our engagement with these charities mirrors a core belief: that we all possess the power to make a difference. Situated in the heart of communities affected by these pressing issues, Chrysos is uniquely positioned to effect positive change. Our support is strategic, focusing on areas where we can achieve the greatest impact, underscoring our commitment to responsible corporate citizenship.
Our generous supporters
Rob donated
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