In Ethiopia we get to celebrate two New Years and two Christmases. The Ethiopian New Year falls on September 11 and their Christmas is two weeks later than ours. I guess that gives me twice to break my resolutions.

This is also a new and exciting period for Trampled Rose. In Ethiopia each organization (NGO) has projects with a usual one to three year time span. Our organization is six years old and we have, as of Dec 31, completed two projects. We have helped over 1500 women who were suffering with Obstetric Fistula.

Our original goal was to shelter women while they were waiting for their surgeries at a local hospital. Our plans grew as we understood a little more about the depth of their injuries. The women not only had the physical problems of leaking urine and/or feces and the loss of their new baby, but we found maybe even worse was the damage done to their minds and hearts by the rejection of their families and communities and the resulting hopelessness. We quickly began a new aspect to our program that included literacy education, ethics training, history and geography, and a chance to start their own businesses so that they could be a more valuable member of their society when they returned to their villages. Eighty seven women graduated from our small school with a new hope for their future.

Later we learned that more fistula surgeries are necessary in this country where there are an expected 9,000 to 10,000 new Fistula cases each year. We successfully completed ten surgeries last year. All of them successful.

These results are gratifying and encouraging. But as we look back in our six years of operation we also realize that the fistula problem has become even bigger. If the commonly accepted fistula statistics are correct, while we have been working to help these 1500 women the problem of Obstetric Fistula has continued to grow. The accepted number of current fistula cases when we started was 100,000 plus the 9,000 to 10,000 new cases each year. There are approximately 1,500 to 2,000 Fistula surgeries done each year in the entire country. This leaves us in an even bigger problem than when we began.

Each fistula case is an unnecessary tragedy. Each woman is affected in ways from which she may never recover. Our direction needs to be expanded to more work on prevention while still caring for the individual women who have already been affected. It would be so much better if there was no need for surgeries or rehabilitation.

I am now working diligently with the Ethiopian Charities Administration to develop new strategies to help women with OF in an even deeper way. Some of the ways include educational outreach campaigns working to reduce the occurrence of OF, skill training in the country side for women who have already suffered this indignity and closer collaboration with any agencies that are working all over the world on the same problems. I’ll keep you informed about what our expansion looks like as we have more concrete details.

But we know for sure that our work continues in line with our original vision statement: “To contribute to the eradication of fistula in our lifetime, both in Ethiopia and throughout the developing world”

Thank you for doing your part!

Becky Kiser
Country Director
Trampled Rose, Inc.

The best part of being at the Trampled Rose is seeing the transformation of the women in our program. They arrive almost unable to hold their heads up and then they graduate full of confidence, hope, and new direction for their future.  The part I like the least is writing reports and project proposals.

Unfortunately for me, I have spent the last few weeks writing reports about our past activities and proposals for the future.  There are so many good things coming and I promise to keep you informed as more details are worked out.  For now, it’s been almost six years since we first opened our gate to do our best to help.  Thank you for all your encouragement and help over these years. Can you believe that we’ve helped over 1500 women?

I thought you might like to read the story of Maeza I just wrote for one of those reports I was complaining about. I attached her photo. You can see her when she arrived.

Love,

Becky Kiser
Trampled Rose, Inc.

These are the grateful words of Maeza herself “This is the best time in my life!  I started to be human again.  I know how to write and calculate money.  I am happy.  I never imagined getting such a chance in my life.”  Her husband said “I am so happy and thankful!  The trampled Rose helped us financially because my wife knows how to get additional income to change our life.  Thank you!”

But Maesa’s life has not always been so happy.  When Maeza   Miskir   arrived at the Trampled Rose her life had already been a hard one.  She was born twenty eight years before in the Amhara region in the northern part of Ethiopia to a sustenance farming family.  She has four other sisters and two brothers.  When she was young there was no school in her area and her parents didn’t consider education important for a girl. They wanted her to get married and be safe instead.

Although Maeza was only seven years old and had no desire to get married she was given to her husband to begin the duties of a wife.  This was a terrifying experience for her so as soon as she had the chance she ran away from the man she hardly knew.  Because of her illiteracy life was difficult and she married again.

In her second marriage she became pregnant with her first child.  In the area where she lived there were very scarce medical services available so most of the women give birth in their own homes or the home of their in laws with a traditional birth attendant.  These birth attendants have limited knowledge about difficult child birth deliveries.  Maeza was in labor for five full days.  At the end of her labor the baby was still born.

The pressure on her birth canal had caused a lack of blood flow to her bladder and she developed a vescovaginal fistula.  She began to leak urine uncontrollably..  Her husband was offended by her condition and especially her smell.  He asked her to leave so he could marry another woman who could have children and he wanted to be free of Maeza.

Maeza’s second husband returned her to her family home.  She lived with them for two years when she heard about surgery at a Fistula Hospital near her region. But her depression and bad luck increased when she underwent her surgery only to discover that she seemed to be incurable. The leaking continued.  She lived for one more year in hopelessness until she met a new educated man.  He loved her and told her that he was willing to marry her because you never know what can happen in the future.

By this time Maeza had been leaking urine down her legs for more than seven years.

One day she was approached by the Amhara development association who was contacting women in their area with fistula on behalf of the Trampled Rose, Inc.  Maeza and her husband jumped at the chance for Maeza  to learn to read and write and begin a business of her own.  Because the problem of fistula is so prevalent in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, Maeza’s sister in law also suffered from fistula.  They decided to travel together with the transportation service provided by the Trampled Rose to the city of Addis Ababa.

Maeza was frightened, hungry, tried and dirty when she arrived at the gates of the Trampled Rose.  During her orientation she was taught about the causes and cures for fistula.  She was especially relieved to learn that fistula is not a curse from God but only a medical condition caused by her prolonged labor.  As part of her orientation she was taken to a hospital to be checked for other diseases that could make her studies difficult.  She was also examined by an expert fistula surgeon to make sure that her fistula was indeed curable.  Her pleasure was immeasurable when she discovered that she did indeed have a chance to be cured by surgery.

Maeza began her literacy class during her first week.  She was taught the alphabet by using small stones and sticks to make letters.  She could read 180 words in her first week.  This quick process gave her courage to try more. In fact, Maeza was the outstanding student in her graduation from the Trampled Rose. She also enjoyed the social atmosphere of being with twenty seven other women with her same problems.

After Maeza could read and write she began her business training of Sambusa making, ironing, traditional bread baking , and jewelry making. She also learned how to manage money and how to make a business plan.  She even enjoyed a field trip to a bank to learn how to open her own account.  She was surprised because she thought that banks were only for rich people.

Maeza’s surgery was indeed successful and she returned to her happy husband to open her own small shop selling Sambusa, traditional beer, tea, and taking in ironing with the startup capital she received from the Trampled Rose.

I’ve been back in Ethiopia for just a little over two weeks now. It was so nice to be in the USA and see so many of my friends, eat Nachos and drink Margaritas and have some time to spend with my family.

The weather here is just moving into our rainy season. So the mornings are cool, then by afternoon we are having showers almost everyday. Being from Colorado, I know that sounds refreshing but let me explain the rain here. I think the best definition is “drenching”. It starts without notice, it’s very cold, and it causes quick flooding on the streets and roads. Because we have a severe lack of toilets that adds a full new dimension, We don’t have electric heat (actually often we don’t have electricity at all) so there is no way to ever get really warm. The rains will continue getting worse until it rains about 24 hours per day for about two and a half months. Just when I start feeling miserable, I remember the homeless people who have to live in this. The human ability to survive is amazing.

I’ve lived in the same rented home for about five years now. It really is quaint. There isn’t a straight wall nor corner anywhere. It was built as an original feudal home and it is over 100 years old. It’s very little but sweet. One of the things I love to do is walk up the hill from my house early in the morning. I met a lady who lives on a corner of the street next to the Federal Police Station. Her little corner is covered in plastic and her floor is made of cardboard and some blankets she has been able to collect. When I first met her I had compassion (and a bit of horror) because she had a new baby. I started bringing her a few things and our friendship began.

The funny thing is that she loves fashion and make up. I’ve started bringing her a few items of clothing and a little bit of Mary Kay lipstick. So when I was walking on Saturday afternoon she stopped me to invite me in her box home to be part of a little party. She had on a little gray dress with purple flowers I had picked up at TJ Maxx and had colored her whole face in a purple toned lip stick. I guess we have to give her credit for trying. I did get a photo of her on my iphone so I’ll try to send it as soon as I have a connection fast enough to send photos. As I continued my walk I was thinking about how we are all the same. As soon as I finished my walk I was on my way to a house warming party for my friend Corolla. What’s the difference in sharing with our friends in a cardboard box or a beautiful home in an exclusive area?

Just a note, Corollas house is so fancy that it has a faucet you can turn on and hot water comes right out. And… she has an oven that can cook with a can of gas hooked up to it even when there is no electricity. We started laughing at ourselves when we realized how impressed we were with these things.

The program at the Trampled Rose is doing so well. Thank you to our Technical Advisor who has organized the teaching program into games. The women come and “play” with rocks. They learn how easy it is to make letters before they even pick up a pencil. Everyone in the Trampled Rose is a teacher. The driver, cooks, cleaners, everyone carries flash cards with them and work with the ladies. It’s such a fun environment and the ladies were reading 180 words in their first week!!!!!! Now they are up to the level of reading easy books. Our next small project is to create a library. Can you imagine how exciting it is to see this?

For now, I’m on my way to take our little girl our to get some new shoes. She came to us when she was six years old and she is now around 13. (we don’t really know her age we are just guessing because she was missing her two front teeth when she arrived at the Trampled Rose) She is adorable and she is now our assistant tutor for the other women after she gets home from her own school. It is so strange to see her with the girls her age that have already had and lost a baby and a husband. For sure, we are the lucky ones.

Please let me know if you’d like me to take you off the email list or if you know someone else who wants to get my updates. Other than that, I’ll try to be more faithful in keeping in touch. I miss you!

I have to say that making the jump to live in Ethiopia full time has helped in so many aspects. I guess I’m not a good multi-tasker and it’s nice to be able to focus on the Trampled Rose, I’ll try to catch you up on all the developments but it’s hard because everything is moving so quickly and in such a right direction.

When I arrived back in Ethiopia, after being with my mother who broke her hip, in August I began working strongly with our almost graduating class on Ethics training. We even took a trip to the National Museum to teach them about the beauty of their history. It was funny, the things that were there for history were the same things the ladies use today in the country side. We graduated out class of 23 on the first of August. It’s such a success to know that most of those women came to us not even knowing how to hold a pencil and now they can read and write, some of them who had never seen a cell phone now own one from the money they earned while making baskets at the Trampled Rose. We had met our goal that every woman who arrived for our help left in a better physical, mental, and emotional way.

Then we took the month of September to make sure every single small step of our organization is in writing. We want to make sure that when the time comes for us to expand to more villages that we have everything as close to perfectly organized as possible. I also spent the month developing things for the women to make and sell that are beautiful as well as helpful. I can’t wait for you to see some of the products we’ve come up with. I also wanted to make sure that all our programs are ones that the women can make money on in the country side when they go back home after their graduation.

In the first part of October I “happened” to be working in the business center at the Sheraton Hotel. There was another man in the center and we began chatting about how slow the connection was. And then on to what I am doing in Ethiopia. He asked for my information because he knew of some people that would want to get hold of me.

We met with a group of people who are strongly passionate about ending Fistula in their region in the next few years. I believe it is possible. But the fact remains that there are 100,000 cases of Fistula in Ethiopia and 9,000 to 10,000 more every year. They are raising money to open four new Fistula wings on already existing hospitals. They said they needed our help with the before and after care. Just where our piece of this puzzle fits in!!!

They said they would have twenty-five women to us within the month. By the next week we had our first seventeen. One has been locked up for twenty years!!!!! Another has been unable to walk and is burned with a rash of leaking urine and feces for more than thirty. One would not travel without her cat because it was the only contact she had had with something living for years.

We are also responsible to provide their surgeries until we have a better solution. Then when they finish they will go out with the supplies and training to sell something in their own village. They will also be trained on how to pass it on. They will have the information and ability to tell others that Fistula is not a curse from God. It is curable and there is help. They will also leave us knowing what things contribute to the problem and how it can more likely be avoided.

For now, I’m off the the hospital to be with the ladies as they get their first medical examination and schedule their surgeries at the Hospital. If I were less selfish I would bring a Hershey bar for each of them.

So to each of you……. Thank you for the part you have played in making these dreams come true.

Becky

This crazy group of us that think women shouldn’t have to be rejected for any reason but especially not just because she lost her baby and now has urine running down her legs night and day. We have just graduated our third class of women! Women who came to us with their faces full of shame are now reading, working, helping each other. I think we all need to take a moment to celebrate that we DID make a difference even when many thought it couldn’t be done and even more they wondered why we even cared enough to try.

I committed last week to spend some time each day working on the book that I have finally agreed to write with my friend Carolla’s help. Many of you have talked to me about this before but it just seems to me that my life is so mundane in so many ways that it would make a boring story. But I know it’s now time. In my writing I’ve gone back to the beginnings of how we started. I’ve remembered the horror of waiting with the first woman I took to the hospital trying to help her with her Fistula. I didn’t even know what it was. I just owed my tour guide a favor and helping his sister was it.

I remembered the shock of the realization of what Fistula is and my shame that I had never even heard of it, that the women with Fistula were living in a nightmare that I couldn’t even imagine. I knew I had to help.

I remember, during one of the many trips I made to Ethiopia trying to get the legal permission to start, laying in my hotel room bed with the rain pouring down and knowing that I wanted to help but there wasn’t a thing I could do to help them at that time. I remember walking the streets of Addis Ababa trying to find the right person and place to get help. I remember marching up to the Prime Minister’s office and telling his secretary that I was going to sit there until he gave me some help (they did Thank you!)

But then I remember opening the first house with four women and one little girl and then meeting Ethiopian’s that really were willing to help. I remember that you all were the one’s who kept me encouraged and hopeful.

I remember meeting Cristina Gompertz two days after we opened and having a friend who cared as much as I did. I want you to know I really couldn’t have done it with out you. So this part is especially for Gwadinia. I spent Saturday morning traveling to the out skirts of town to meet with two of our graduates who are employed for 600 ETB a month (a whole bunch here). We were right!!!!!!! Even after I let all those first chickens die (okay maybe I accidentally cooked them) the program is a success!!! We’ve changed lives.

So…… let’s take a quick minute to remember that our dreams really are coming true!!!

I’ll be spending this month making sure all our programs are genuinely helping and working to do it all better next year. I’ve thought of so many of you as I’ve written this letter. Thank you doesn’t even express how I feel. I hope you know how much I appreciate and love you.

Don’t forget us!

I hope all is well. Here we are still experiencing the rainy season so it is cold most days but I do have hope that it will be over soon every time I see the sun. We are busy working to graduate our third class. We have 23 women who have been trained in hair dressing, sewing, jewelry, ethics, budgeting, they have had a year of excellent medical care, food, and even cute uniforms. They are just about ready to fly the nest.

It’s always hard to say good bye but I hope to see everyone again doing well. The most rewarding part is knowing that everyone can read and write. Many of the women arrived with NO education.

Thanks to all of you, they can walk into their new life literate.

I have been trying to get my driver’s license for the last month and a half. It started with the US embassy. I brought my book to read and waited about two hours to get a copy of my Colorado Driver’s License notarized. The gentleman who notarized it was very friendly and sort of chuckled as he handed it back to me and said, “Good Luck” I headed next to the ministry of Foreign Affairs twice to find that the office was closed. I went back the next day earlier and again it was closed. I tried to use my very shaky Amharic to ask why. I thought it had to be my language when they told me that they close any time they wish. So I found someone who spoke English and even in English the answer that closing time is anytime they wish.

I changed my strategy to go in the morning. I arrived early and stood in the rain in line behind about twenty people who arrived before me. We were all cold and wet but the doors finally opened and at least fifty people pushed in front of me. I tried to complain to the guard but it was clear she really didn’t care so I tried the manager who just shrugged his shoulders. Suddenly, my skills as a child wanting to get the best swing came in and I pushed my way back to my place. No one stopped me. Finally, after an hour later and about $30 I had the next signature I needed.

The next part was to drive to the wrong office when they told me the only place to get this license is on the outskirts of the city. So away my driver headed with the hope that I could drive back. We arrived and talked to lots of people about where to go. Finally, we found the right office but the system was down. They told us to come back in two days.

Just this afternoon I had enough time to make the long trip a week later and….. the system is still down. No one in Ethiopia can get a new or renewed license. They recommended I come back next month. But they were helpful enough to tell me that I need to bring a 5 Birr postage stamp because it is one of the requirements and they are usually out.

Really, it is so beautiful and green here from all the rain. And the very best news is that I found a portable heater that can be moved around and keeps me almost warm. But the best thing is that if I am careful, I can hang my clothes on it and they dry quickly. Who could ask for more????

Things have been interesting at the Trampled Rose. It has been so rewarding to be here everyday. We have some good ideas that we are working on for new financial opportunities for the women. The first I am most excited about is having small street stands selling a food called Sambusa. These are pastries filled with either lintels or rice and meat. The stand is basically a deep fryer and can be connected to electricity wherever it is available on the street. This is very easy to make and only requires small start up capital, Once they have established their reputation as being clean and delicious it can be a good income. I also like that the women will get paid for how hard the work. They will be able to begin to control their own lives.

We are also working on improving our jewelry design made by the women. This may mean that we can really wear a piece just because it is beautiful. And….. we may be looking at opening a small shop of restaurant so the women can get practice in counting change and customer service. I’ll let you know as they develop.

For now our beauty and sewing programs are going strong. Our sewing teacher is pregnant with her forth child and has had to have some bed rest. Let’s hope she is better soon.

Personally our family had some bad news. My mother slipped and broke her hip. She had to have a replacement. She is doing well and will be out of rehab by the middle of July. So… I am coming home to help for a few weeks. Let’s plan to get together!!!

But after two weeks everything seems not only normal but sweet to be back. I’ve been spending my days in the office and my nights either reading or meeting with my friends.

Things are going well at the Trampled Rose. We currently have 30 women in our program. The main things they are learning are sewing, beauty school, and jewelry making.

We are almost ready to start the chicken farm part of our curriculum for this year’s students. I think many of you remember the trouble I had with the first farm. It looked so cute to have all twelve of our little chickens in their new house ready to do whatever chickens do. The only problem was that I didn’t know the house should not have been made of corrugated iron. I arrived a few days later to check up on them and they were all very “fluffy” The next day all were dead but one. I felt so terrible both for the chickens and also for the group in France that had donated the money to start this project (thank you Gwadenia). I thought that at least we had one alive so I could keep the original project going and tell Gwadenia that we had some problems but we had made it. Just then my sweet little dog Ishi came running out with the last chicken in her mouth. Ouch!!!! The good news is that we did successfully have a chicken farm with our graduating class last year and the even better news is that I am not in charge of this!

We are also working to develop training in house cleaning. This is a great opportunity here because often the women who help with the house are allowed to live and eat with the family. And the demand here, as in every country, is high. I’ll let you know more about this program soon.

The weather has been rain and more rain. Yesterday while I was traveling home Addis looked more like a river than a city. When I think of all of you enjoying summer and the beach and BBQs I feel even colder, but….. when you have your first snow storm I’ll be nice and warm.

Please stay in touch. I love hearing from you!!!

I’ve never left Ethiopia feeling more satisfied than I do now. Today, in an interview, I was asked if I feel satisfied with the success of Trampled Rose and I had to respond that no I don’t. It’s my nature to expect excellence of myself and others and I’m sure there will never come a time when I and the program couldn’t do better. But don’t you think that is part of the fun of life? Always knowing that tomorrow will be even better than today?

Whenever I arrive back in the USA, I’m always a little overwhelmed by how big my house is, how fast my computer gets a connection, drive through banking, and so many places to shop. We are so lucky. But the friends and the riches I have here are so valuable. I’ve been talking to friends recently about the definition of poverty and we all agree that there are so many forms. I’m lucky to be rich in all areas. Thank you for being part of that.

So…. if you need a makeover (I know I do) give me a call. It’s back to what I like to call “normal life”.

See you soon!