VVF Ladies

For the entire month of April we had our amazing and faithful VVF surgeon on board. She was from the States, and left her own work to come volunteer on the Africa Mercy. She saw and helped many beautiful ladies throughout the month!

VVF is an abnormal fistulous tract that comes through labor gone wrong. It can happen to anyone but because West Africa is below the normal developed country it is a popular yet tragic occurrence. These ladies are often cast out of their communities because they are "cursed". Many of them are ashamed and do not want to be seen in public, so they don't go out at all!

With the surgeon we had on board, she screened many African ladies, and then performed the surgeries. Once we have a group of ladies ready to go back into their communities, we as a crew, hold what we call a Dress Ceremony. Many crew members, not just nurses and doctors, can attend. We all crowd into a ward and celebrate with these women.

A little over a week ago, I had the chance to attend one! I have never been so happy and shocked at the joy in the ladies faces. They all received a new dress, bible, and a few other things that were new! To signify that they are starting a new chapter of their lives. The dresses were BEAUTIFUL. Along with the dresses, but their smiles, says it all. They are free, alive, and ready to face the world again! They are beyond thankful, for what we would classify as such a simple surgery. They gain their life back again.

To be able to attend this ceremony was amazing! To just watch and celebrate with them was a memory I shall never forget.

The joy says it alll :)