Facing Fistula

For nearly a decade, Beatrice has been living with a devastating childbirth injury. It has left her incontinent, shunned by her husband, and outcast within her community. Beatrice struggles to care for her homestead and her five children until, one day, the discovery that she is not alone in her suffering sends her on a journey toward hope and healing.

Running time: 8 min 30 sec

Obstetric fistula is a little-known condition, yet it ranks as one of the most debilitating injuries in the world. From day one, our goal for Facing Fistula has been to close the awareness gap about obstetric fistula by sharing the story of one woman’s experience.

When we found Beatrice, she had been suffering needlessly with fistula for eight years. She was open and honest with us about the toll it had taken on her life, and we learned that she had been abandoned by her husband and was struggling to take care of her five children. She was dejected; surgery was her only hope. We created this film to bring attention to the plight of all women who live with obstetric fistula today. We hope that by documenting Beatrice’s story, we will move audiences to feel the truly life-transforming impact that surgery has on women who suffer from this condition.

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Habiba with Beatrice when she was first identified

George and Habiba in West Pokot for filming

Mercy and Vincent on the first day of filming

Habiba with the Jeep when the film crew got caught in a flash flood

Habiba and Beatrice on the first day of filming

Beatrice and her friends

Habiba with Beatrice and her family

Film crew at Beatrice's homestead

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