Meet Rasoanirina from Madagascar

Extremely shy, and embarrassed by her condition, Rasoanirina stopped going to school.

Rasoanirina was in primary school when she became pregnant at the age of 17. Her prolonged obstructed labor ended at a nearby hospital, where she received a C-section to deliver the baby. She began leaking urine almost immediately after the baby was removed.

Extremely shy, and embarrassed by her condition, Rasoanirina stopped going to school. She stayed home instead.

She eventually learned about free obstetric fistula repair surgery being offered by Fistula Foundation partner, SALFA, and sought treatment. But her fistula was complex, and her first surgery was not successful. In August 2017, Rasoanirina returned to SALFA for a second surgery that she hopes will finally leave her dry.