The Fistula Foundation

How it all began

I became acquainted with “Etenesh” in January 2004. She was barely thirteen, close in age to my eldest granddaughter. I happened upon the Oprah Winfrey Show just as Dr. Catherine Hamlin was sharing Etenesh’s story, an Ethiopian child-bride who was impregnated shortly after her first menses. When it came time to give birth, she, like many young first-time mothers with poorly developed pelvises, suffered through a prolonged labor that left her with an obstetric fistula, a birth injury I had never heard of.

The song, you are not alone

Etenesh is not her real name, rather an Amharic name meaning, “You are my sister.” I was so moved by her story that I leapt up from the couch, rushed to my piano and began to sing, “You are my sister…You are not Alone” Within minutes I had a complete song. I have been singing it ever since and using it to help raise money for the Fistula Foundation

how you can help

Details about the fundraiser and how you can donate even if you are at a distance and/or cannot attend the concert