Surviving Fistula
TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa|May 2018

Imagine a condition that leaves you in pain, and also makes you an outcast in your community. Well, this is a reality for many young women in Kenya. JOY WANJA MURAYA talks to a survivor of obstetric fistula and how we can deal with this scourge.

Surviving Fistula

For 10 years, Norah Otondo, has had to deal with the pain – physical, emotional and societal – of obstetric fistula. A fistula is when there is a tear or opening between two organs, such as the vagina and the rectum, leading to pain, infection and leaking of urine and stool into the birth canal.

Obstetric fistula is usually caused by a prolonged and complicated labour, but it can also be caused by surgery. Such was the case for Norah. ‘In 2008 and 2009, I had two different surgeries to remove fibroids and ovarian cysts. However, the work was not neatly done.’

Shortly after the surgeries, Norah noticed the smell. No matter how many times she bathed, she could not get rid of it.

‘At home, an odour would fill the room. Everyone would go quiet and this was a sign that I had unknowingly soiled myself. The uncomfortable silence was a sign that I needed to clean up,’ she says. At work (Norah was a teacher at the time), her colleagues started avoiding her. And Norah started avoiding them. She’d go straight into the classroom, give her lessons, then go straight home. Socialising became a thing of the past. She had obstetric fistula, a socially unacceptable medical condition. Her shame was overwhelming.

Denne historien er fra May 2018-utgaven av TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 2018-utgaven av TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA TRUE LOVE MAGAZINE EAST AFRICASe alt
RADIO HEADS
TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa

RADIO HEADS

Known for their pleasant voices and eloquent English, Cate Sidede, Terry Muikamba and Anne Mwaura open up about life on air, their personal struggles and why they love radio.

time-read
10 mins  |
April 2020
WHY SO INSECURE?
TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa

WHY SO INSECURE?

Creating false realities inside your head based on assumptions is highly likely in any relationship. PRISCILLA WAIRIMU says acknowledging this is a problem is the first step in the right direction.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2020
TOGETHER, APART
TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa

TOGETHER, APART

Are you in a long-distance relationship? Are you tired of hearing all the messages of doom from people who swear your relationship is bound to fail? ALISON SIFUMA shows you how to foster your connection despite the space between.

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2020
THE BEAT KILLER
TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa

THE BEAT KILLER

Amos Njenga Chege aka Magix Enga, on producing, forgiving Harmonize for sampling his beats and finally getting into singing.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2020
THE ANTI-SOCIAL STORY TELLER
TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa

THE ANTI-SOCIAL STORY TELLER

Muigai Mwangi aka Ndugu Abisai, 30 loves the art of storytelling. He speaks on his love for chai, his biggest fear as a writer and the Soap opera he is currently writing.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 2020
The Making Of A Popstar
TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa

The Making Of A Popstar

Her first EP (Extended Play Record) is ruling the airwaves and Tanasha Donna wants you to know that despite her heartbreak and being a new mom she is on her way to superstardom.

time-read
10+ mins  |
April 2020
IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP FUN?
TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa

IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP FUN?

A relationship can sometimes feel boring. This is a phase that comes and goes. However there are certain circumstances where feelings of relationship boredom are not a phase but are permanent.

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2020
MANAGING YOUR ANXIETY
TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa

MANAGING YOUR ANXIETY

Anxiety is like a toddler, it never stops talking, tells you constantly that it wants its own way, and keeps you up when you are trying to sleep.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2020
INDOOR CAMPING
TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa

INDOOR CAMPING

No indoor plans for the Easter Holiday? MERCY RAPHA shows you how to make indoor camping a forever memory for your kids.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2020
6 FUN HOUSE-BOUND ACTIVITIES
TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa

6 FUN HOUSE-BOUND ACTIVITIES

Stuck with the kids at home this lockdown season? MERCY RAPHA gives you fun activities to turn boredom into bonding time.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2020