*Charity, a 23-year-old midwifery nursing student, has defied the odds to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. Her journey has been marked by immense challenges, but through perseverance and hope, she has overcome them all.
Her story began when, in 2020, Charity discovered she was pregnant while preparing for her final Grade 12 exams. The news was devastating and distracted her from her studies. “I was attending a co-educational boarding school, though I wasn’t a boarder. I found myself pregnant by my fellow pupil after getting caught up in the excitement of finishing Grade 12,” she recalled.
After completing her exams, Charity moved back to her mother’s rural home. As labor began, she initially believed she could deliver at home. However, complications arose, and after two days of labor, her mother reached out to neighbors who arranged for transport to a District Hospital. There, Charity underwent a caesarean section and delivered a healthy baby. But her joy was short-lived—two days later, she began leaking urine. Charity had developed an obstetric fistula, a condition caused by prolonged labor without medical intervention.
"I felt lost," she shared. "I didn’t think I would ever heal or return to school. I started feeling hopeless and lived in isolated. But something deep inside me told me not to give up.
Charity had always dreamed of becoming a nurse, an aspiration that was slowly fading away with her condition. She continued suffering in silence, unsure whether her condition could be treated. She had no idea where to turn for help.
But then, one day, she heard about the UNFPA Zambia's Fistula Program on the radio. Inspired by the hope she found in this information, she decided to seek medical assistance at the District Hospital. There, she learned that the hospital could help her, and she was booked for the fistula repair camp which was scheduled at the General Hospital in a month. When the time came, she with seven other women suffering from the same condition were transferred to the General Hospital where Charity underwent a successful fistula repair surgery. The procedure marked the beginning of her healing journey. No longer isolated by her condition, Charity was able to return to her education. She enrolled back in secondary school to retake the science exams, a subject she had struggled with and needed for her midwifery training.
With renewed determination, Charity passed her exams and was finally able to pursue her dream of becoming a midwife.
"After my recovery, I couldn’t hold back my emotions. I knew I had to go back to school. I was determined to not just become a nurse, but a midwife," she said.
Her pursue of specializing into midwifery was drove by the service she received form the midwives and her passion to be able to help other women suffering from fistula.
Today, Charity is a fierce advocate for fistula awareness. She shares her story to encourage other girls and women who may be suffering from similar conditions to seek medical help and, most importantly, to prevent early pregnancies. “I encourage young girls to stay focused on their education and dreams,” Charity said. “Pregnancy at an early age can derail your future. I want to be an example that no matter how difficult the circumstances, you can still overcome them.” she added.
In January 2025, Charity took another bold step forward in her journey by enrolling a Midwifery Training College. With the support of her mother, who agreed to care for her daughter while in training school, Charity is now on the path to realizing her dream. She knows the road ahead will be challenging, but she is filled with confidence and determination.
In 2024 alone, 62 fistula survivors had their dignity and pride restored through successful fistula surgeries. Since 2005, UNFPA Zambia in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, has conducted over 4,200 successful repairs in Luapula and North-Western Provinces.
