Lillian can put her traumatic past behind her after MAF brought her to hospital for surgery to treat the condition she’s lived with since giving birth in her teens.
As Lillian, from Western Equatoria, flew to South Sudan’s capital Juba with MAF for surgery to treat fistula, she was smiling and hopeful, despite living with debilitating condition for decades.
‘I got this fistula in 2003 giving birth to my first child when I was 16 years old. I stayed for almost a year and a half in the hospital. The doctors helped me with soap and clothes. I didn’t have anywhere to go because they could not fix the problem,’ she said.
When she was finally able to leave the hospital, Lillian had no option but to live alone and provide for her own needs.
‘I was with my husband for less than two years. I don’t have any other children. My father died when I was young. When I was having the first operation to fix the fistula, that was the time that my mother died. I have been staying alone for the past 22 years,’ the 38-year-old said.
‘I make my living by growing things in my garden. I am unable to bring my produce to the market. I give the produce to others to bring to the market to sell,’ says Lilian, demonstrating a resourcefulness and resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges.
After travelling with MAF for treatment, Lillian can’t wait to start the next phase of her life.
‘Before, I was suffering. I could not move out and be with people. In future I hope I can be reunited with those people who abandoned and rejected me. Hopefully I will come back together with them. I hope I will be able to enjoy good health,’ she explained.
‘I would like to say thank you to those who did this work to help me to heal. I feel the trauma and bad feelings are reducing because of the care I have received. I also know that if the surgery fails, I will be able to come back again. I appreciate it very much.’
STORY / SEAN ATKINS PHOTOS / JENNY DAVIES