Young Gisele’s heart was broken after she endured an obstructed labor which resulted in the loss of her unborn child and the development of obstetric fistula.
For over 20 long years, Gisele lived with the pain and embarrassment of this condition. In the midst of her pain, Gisele suffered yet another loss when her husband, realizing that she would probably never have children, abandoned her.
While the nature of Gisele’s condition was terrible, her grief for her lost dream of a family haunted her. Unable to hide the strong odor of incontinence and the stigma around her condition, Gisele withdrew into a life of solitude, but she prayed that someday she might find hope.
That day arrived when she heard of a place where she might receive surgery — a hospital ship called the Africa Mercy. It was not long before she found herself sitting on a hospital bed onboard, waiting for surgery that would heal the condition that haunted her for over 20 years.
In addition to the healing she found physically, Giselle found emotional restoration in the attentive way the doctors and nurses cared for her, and in the relationships she built with the other women in the fistula ward.
Obstetric fistula is typically a condition of isolation. Confined in solitude, Gisele was poisoned by her belief that her life had no value. During her time onboard, she was introduced to other women who shared similar journeys and formed a sisterhood with them that began healing her spirit.
When their recuperation was complete, the hospital threw a going-away party for Giselle and the other women in the ward. Each woman was presented with a beautiful new dress, symbolizing their restored life.
On the morning of the celebration, the women gathered in the ward to do their make-up and fasten their head wraps. The room was filled with chatter, smiles, and an energy like that of a bridal party. Gisele surveyed the room of women getting ready and joyfully said, "Today is good." After the celebration was over, Gisele walked out of the hospital, down the dock, and took her first step back into society.
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