2009-10
Since February 2009 the Fistula Foundation has been focused on fighting fistula worldwide.  The Foundation is one of the largest privately funded nonprofit organizations supporting fistula treatment globally.  While the Foundation remains the largest funder of the Hamlin Fistula Hospitals in Ethiopia, the Foundation's new mission is to raise awareness of and funding for fistula treatment, prevention and educational programs worldwide.

In March 2009, the Fistula Foundation made its first grant to fight fistula outside of Ethiopia with a $50,000 grant to the Panzi Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In June 2009, the Foundation's board approved a second grant to the Panzi Hospital of $150,000 and new grants to the CURE International Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan and to the Central Evangelical Medical Center in Lubango, Angola. The additional support for the Panzi Hospital makes the Fistula Foundation one of the largest supporters for the Panzi Hospital's inspiring work to treat victims of fistula in D.R. Congo. The new grants in Angola and Afghanistan will help expand the fistula treatment capacity at these two countries.

At the Foundation's November Board meeting, the Foundation strengthened its partnership with Direct Relief International (DRI), by approving grants to supply hospitals in Liberia, Kenya and Tanzania.  In addition, the Foundation is partnering with DRI to construct a new fistula treatment facility in Somaliland at the stellar Edna Adan Maternity Hospital.  This will be the first fistula treatment facility in Somaliland.

In 2010 the Foundation plans to expand its grant-making to well-respected institutions in order to treat more women with fistula in Africa and Asia.  We remain the largest financial supporter of Hamlin Fistula Hospitals in Ethiopia.  The Foundation provided $1.083 million in direct support to Hamlin Fistula Hospitals in Ethiopia in 2009.

2005-2008
In summer 2005, the Foundation Board elected Ethiopian-American, Mr. Kassahun Kebede, as Chair of the Board and hired its first full-time Executive Director, Kate Grant.  New York Times Writer, Nicholas Kristof wrote an inspiring article about the Hospital, and in December 2005, the Oprah Winfrey Show aired another show about the Hospital, this time featuring Ms. Winfrey's visit to the Hospital, titled "Oprah goes to Ethiopia".

Since 2006 the Foundation has consistently earned the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Seal for meeting all twenty of the BBB's Standards for Charity Accountability.  In 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 the Foundation also earned consecutive 4-Star ratings from the charity rating service "Charity Navigator".  This places the Foundation in the top 8% of nonprofits evaluated by Charity Navigator.  The Foundation completed annual audits and published its financial statements and tax returns on this website.  In 2007 the Foundation was awarded a "Google Grant" from the internet powerhouse Google, providing the Foundation with free advertising on the Google network.

In 2006-8, the Fistula Foundation furthered its mission by funding a variety of programs and projects at Hamlin Fistula Hospital, becoming the largest financial supporter of the Hospital's operations.  The Foundation funded the following:

Capital Projects:

• The construction, building and furnishing costs for the new Fistula Hospital in Harrar, Ethiopia, serving fistula victims in an underserved region and providing emergency obstetric care to women at high risk of obstructed labor.
• The building of Nurses Quarters near the Bahir Dar Fistula Hospital and maternal health unit upgrade
• The construction, building and furnishing costs for Nurses Quarters near the Harrar Fistula Hospital
• The Construction of primary buildings for the Hamlin Midwifery School
• Incinerator for the Bahir Dar Fistula Hospital
• Expansion of new mini-hospital at Bahir Dar
• Physiotherapy Center at AAFH
• Incinerator for the Bahir Dar Fistula Hospital

Running Costs:

• Over $2.2 million USD in Operating Support of the Hamlin Fistula Hospital to help fund life-restoring surgery for thousands of patients
• Yearly running costs for the new Harar Hospital ($170,000)

Equipment/Supplies/Training:

• Medications and medical supplies required for fistula care at the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa
• Advanced Medical training for Fistula Hospital Senior Surgeon
• Medical conference for Addis Ababa Hospital Senior Staff
• Advanced Medical training for Fistula Hospital Senior Surgeon
• Computers and Software to help Hospital streamline its financial system
• 4 Wheel Drive Vehicles for use at the Hospital and the Midwifery College
• Incinerator for the Bahir Dar Fistula Hospital
• Six vehicles for AAFH

Founding and Early Years:
The Fistula Foundation was founded as American Friends Foundation for Childbirth Injuries in 2000 by Richard Haas and his daughter Shaleece. Mr. Haas was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ethiopia and returned with his daughter to visit the East African country in 1999. The Haases visited the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and were moved by the oasis of healing created by Dr. Catherine Hamlin and her late husband, Dr. Reginald Hamlin. They returned to California and established a US-based non-profit dedicated to supporting the treatment and prevention activities of the Fistula Hospital.