5 YEARS OF PROSPERITY

Meet the Amazing Quilters

Allow us to introduce you to the remarkable individuals behind the quilts – our resilient quilters.
These extraordinary women have not only endured the challenges of fistulas but have also faced immense hardship and poverty in their lives. While many have undergone treatment, not all have experienced full recovery from their fistulas. Nevertheless, they have seized the opportunity to participate in our quilting program, determined to carve out a brighter future for themselves and their families. Their journey towards empowerment has been marked by perseverance and dedication. Prior to joining Kenya QFE, none of these women had ever wielded a hand sewing needle, except perhaps for basic mending. Even our two seamstresses, skilled in the art of operating treadle sewing machines, found comfort in gardening rather than stitching by hand. Yet, they embraced the challenge with open hearts and eager minds, demonstrating incredible resilience and adaptability along the way.

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1. Beatrice:

She suffered terrible leaking from her fistula. Despite bathing frequently and trying to stay clean, her smell drove friends away and she was isolated. Since being treated, she is happy, her house is full and friends are back. She is now a community health worker who is respected and valued; she feels important.

2. Carol

Carol got her fistula with her second child, who later died. She had a successful delivery after being repaired. Carol is our head seamstress and has invested her income in livestock.

3. Esther

Esther got her fistula with her first child. After begin repaired, she has had four more children. She uses her income for small scale businesses.

4. Everline

Life has been difficult for Everline who got her fistula after a long labor and delivery of a stillborn. She invests her income in small businesses and livestock.

5. Grace

Grace’s smile hides a lot of sadness: having a fistula, her children’s deaths, and poor health.

6. Jane

Jane’s fistula was a problem when she had to stop preaching as a pastor to run to the toilet. She is dry and preaching without interruption now

7. Nancy

Nancy suffered 8 years with her fistula before being successfully treated. She is raising livestock with her income.

8. Rose M

Rose got her fistula as a result of gynecological surgery. She is both QFE’s outreach worker & one of our seamstresses. Rose makes and sells soap, grows and sells vegetables, and raises 4 children.

9. Rose A

Rose is raising seven girls by herself after her husband left her when she got a fistula with her last born. Rose works very hard to provide for her family, walking over 4 miles roundtrip to the QFE compound to earn money sewing. She is grateful for the support of her QFE fistula sisters.

10. Tabitha

Tabitha’s fistula was successfully repaired. She has built water storage tanks with her income and sells the water in addition to small scale farming.

11. Vicody

Vicody got her fistula as a teenager giving birth. With the support of QFE she has been able to remain in school, studying human resource management. Her goal is to be successful and live a happy, healthy life.