Inspiration

I often find myself observing my surroundings here in Austin at St. Edward's just marveling at the beauty that surrounds me. Classes are of course difficult but it is rare than I am not inspired in one way or another to meet my goals here at the university. As I have previously mentioned my inspiration to work to support the women of Africa, specifically in the process of fistula repair stems from the work of Dr. Catherine Hamlin .  Here is more on the episode of Oprah that she appeared on: Inside the Fistula Hospital.

Fistulas are an increasing problem in the culture because child rape is becoming more and more common. The U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health reports:

"Child rape violates human rights and causes immediate and long-term health problems for the child. In the 1998 South Africa Demographic and Health Survey, we assessed frequency of rape in a nationally representative study of 11735 women aged 15-49 years. 153 (1.6%, 95% CI 1.2-1.9%) of these women had been raped (forced or persuaded to have sex against their will) before the age of 15 years. Our results show that younger women were significantly more likely to report rape than older women (p<0.0001). The largest group of perpetrators (33%) were school teachers. Our findings suggest that child rape is becoming more common, and lend support to qualitative research of sexual harassment of female students in schools in Africa."  

Taking into mind the increasing percentage of child rape, the aftermath of such trauma must be accounted for. In the briefing Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls in War and Its Aftermath: Realities, Responses, and Required Resources, the aftermath is addressed:

"Sexual violence against women in war and its aftermath can have almost inestimable short and long-term negative health consequences. As a result of the systematic and exceptionally violent gang rape of thousands of Congolese women and girls, doctors in the DRC are now classifying vaginal destruction as a crime of combat. Many of the victims suffer from traumatic fistula -- tissue tears in the vagina, bladder and rectum."

If you would like to see the fistula repaired here is a link, it is graphic.

Whoever you are, always remember, "You're Beautiful".