Fistula Foundation

The Fistula Foundation was originally founded in 2000 as the American Friends Foundation for Childbirth Injuries. This United States-based non-profit organization was established by a former Ethiopian Peace Corps teacher, Richard Haas. Together with his daughter Shaleece, Richard Haas started the foundation right after he returned to California after a visit from the Fistula Hospital.

The organization works to provide support to the medical initiatives of the Fistula Hospital. It also aims to raise awareness for fistula as well as funds to support several educational programs all over the globe.

Over the past few years, the Fistula Foundation has successfully funded a variety of other capital projects, including the construction and furnishing of the new Fistula Hospital in Harrar. The foundation has also raised an ample amount of funds to build primary buildings for the Hamlin Midwifery School as well as for the expansion of a small hospital in Bahir Dar.

In 2009, the Board of Directors for the Fistula Foundation has managed to further the organization’s mission. While maintaining its status as the biggest contributor for the Hamlin Fistula Hospitals, the non-profit organization also works simultaneously to treat and prevent the occurrence of Fistula worldwide. For the past year, the Fistula Foundation has managed to provide monetary support to several medical organizations in Congo, Afghanistan, and Angola.