A total of 50 women formerly suffering from the deeply embarrassing consequences of Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) have been given a chance to live normal lives again. This is cortesy of a recent Extended Hands Foundation’s pool effort in Kebbi State sponsored by SNEPCo/NNPC.

Since its inception, the goal of the Extended Hands Foundation founded by Nollywood star actress Stephanie Linus has been to restore hope and put smiles on the faces of women. The women had the repair surgeries done at no cost to them and their families.

The exercise, which was carried out at the Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development VVF Center in Gesse, Birin-Kebbi, was a successful one as the women all had successful surgeries and were nursed back to health at the hospital. Before the surgeries, many of them had been shunned and separated from their families as a result of the embarrassing effects of the condition. Some of them lost their jobs, their husbands, and were forced to live in degrading conditions. Thanks to the successful surgeries, they are now back with their loved ones and are living their dreams.

VVF is a serious disability that can be experienced by women after childbirth. They are holes resulting from the breakdown in the tissue between the vaginal wall and the bladder or rectum caused by unrelieved obstructed labour. The consequence of such damage is a woman’s inability to control the flow of urine or faeces. It occurs more often in young women during childbirth, as their bodies are not yet mature for the process.

The project was headed by the Chief Surgeon - Dr Sa’ad Idris, a seasoned VVF Surgeon with over 20 years experience in the field. He was assisted by Dr Halima Bello, a Consultant and other doctors and nurses at the VVF Center.

Against the backdrop of her recently released movie, DRY, Stephanie Linus who has been an advocate for issues concerning child brides has taken the message of restoration and hope to real women suffering from VVF. This pool effort goes a long way to show that DRY is more than just a movie, but a tool for touching the lives of women actually living with this condition.

•Photo shows Stephanie Linus.