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Neighborhood Chat / Women's Health Project in Ethiopia
« on: September 29, 2010, 03:48:27 PM »
Hello. My name is Sara Forrest and I have been a JH resident for over approximately three years. 
I am going to be embarking on a month long trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and surrounding territories this November with Salaam Garage, an organization dedicated to social change through photojournalism, to create a photo documentary examining the role of survivors of obstetric fistula on communities in rural areas of Ethiopia. Upon my return, I will be speaking about fistula within the NYC community and exhibiting the work. I am currently seeking organizations, clubs and/or galleries in Jackson Heights to exhibit the work and/or speak to about maternal health problems in Africa. A fistula is a hole in the bladder and/or anus resulting from prolonged childbirth with no medical care. Usually resulting in the mother delivering a stillborn after a week long labor. She is left incontinent of urine and/or feces 24/7. She is shunned by her village, husband and family. She often contemplates suicide, thinking there is no hope for her recovery.
During my stay, I will be working closely with the Hamlin Fistula Hospitals as well as the non-profit Hamlin Fistula International to gain access to patients that have been able to make it to one of their six fistula centers in Ethiopia to receive treatment. The purpose of the project is to help raise awareness of this issue plaguing millions of impoverished women worldwide. My focus will be on prevention efforts by examining the role the survivor plays in helping educate other women and their villages on family planning. The safe motherhood message that cured patients pass onto their families and villagers is essential to breaking the stigma that fistula carries in African nations. I will also be working with one of the producers of the Emmy Award winning NOVA documentary on obstetric fistula in Ethiopia, “A Walk to Beautiful†(which you can watch online for free at http://www.hulu.com/watch/63731/nova-a-walk-to-beautiful) in Mekelle, Ethiopia. We will be examining the difficulties of reintegration back into their villages that many survivors continue to face.
I have a goal of raising 2,000 for the project. Pledges and more information and links about fistula and the project in general can be made at my fundraising website at:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/673728100/facing-hope-in-ethiopia-a-photography-project-on-s
My personal photographic interests lie in women’s health and poverty issues. My most recent non-profit project was done as a prelude to this journey and is focused around women refugees (from Sudan, Somalia, Burundi, etc.) and their families who run an urban farm in Kansas City, KS. The program is called “New Roots for Refugees†and a gallery and artist’s statement can be found under PERSONAL at:
http://www.saraforrestphoto.com
Many thanks in advance for your time and consideration,
Sara
I am going to be embarking on a month long trip to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and surrounding territories this November with Salaam Garage, an organization dedicated to social change through photojournalism, to create a photo documentary examining the role of survivors of obstetric fistula on communities in rural areas of Ethiopia. Upon my return, I will be speaking about fistula within the NYC community and exhibiting the work. I am currently seeking organizations, clubs and/or galleries in Jackson Heights to exhibit the work and/or speak to about maternal health problems in Africa. A fistula is a hole in the bladder and/or anus resulting from prolonged childbirth with no medical care. Usually resulting in the mother delivering a stillborn after a week long labor. She is left incontinent of urine and/or feces 24/7. She is shunned by her village, husband and family. She often contemplates suicide, thinking there is no hope for her recovery.
During my stay, I will be working closely with the Hamlin Fistula Hospitals as well as the non-profit Hamlin Fistula International to gain access to patients that have been able to make it to one of their six fistula centers in Ethiopia to receive treatment. The purpose of the project is to help raise awareness of this issue plaguing millions of impoverished women worldwide. My focus will be on prevention efforts by examining the role the survivor plays in helping educate other women and their villages on family planning. The safe motherhood message that cured patients pass onto their families and villagers is essential to breaking the stigma that fistula carries in African nations. I will also be working with one of the producers of the Emmy Award winning NOVA documentary on obstetric fistula in Ethiopia, “A Walk to Beautiful†(which you can watch online for free at http://www.hulu.com/watch/63731/nova-a-walk-to-beautiful) in Mekelle, Ethiopia. We will be examining the difficulties of reintegration back into their villages that many survivors continue to face.
I have a goal of raising 2,000 for the project. Pledges and more information and links about fistula and the project in general can be made at my fundraising website at:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/673728100/facing-hope-in-ethiopia-a-photography-project-on-s
My personal photographic interests lie in women’s health and poverty issues. My most recent non-profit project was done as a prelude to this journey and is focused around women refugees (from Sudan, Somalia, Burundi, etc.) and their families who run an urban farm in Kansas City, KS. The program is called “New Roots for Refugees†and a gallery and artist’s statement can be found under PERSONAL at:
http://www.saraforrestphoto.com
Many thanks in advance for your time and consideration,
Sara
