Seraphine Apendeki was born in Kandolo, 150 km away from the town of Kindu, in the Maniema province. Her father is now dead but she still has her mother. She got married in 1996 to Kitoko Siyaminyanga. Her husband is from Katambo, 37 Km away from Kandolo and 187 Km  from Kindu.

“I had six children with my husband, 4 girls and 2 boys. At the end of my 7^th pregnancy, I gave birth in a local health centre with major difficulties to a boy who was still born. A week later, I noticed I could not control my bladder anymore.”

Seraphine spent four weeks at the same local health centre, but her health kept getting worse. This is how her elder brother came to fetch her and took her to the HEAL Africa base in Kindu. From there, she got transferred to Goma for specialised treatment at the HEAL Africa hospital.

« Just after the surgery I had on 13th March 2013, I felt my bladder did not leak anymore. This is why I thank God for healing me. I am now ready to get back to my parents’ in Kandolo, via Kindu. When my husband learnt I was sick, he left me. Today, he lives in Kampene with his 2 new spouses. If my husband learns I am now healed, he may come back for me and honor me again, and may take care of his 6 children who are still alive. It will be such a great joy to me to see them all again!”

« May God bless HEAL Africa, its management and all staff! »

Seraphine’s story is unfortunately not a unique one. In 2012, a total of 400 fistulas repairs were carried out by the HEAL Africa team, most of which originated from bad obstetrical care during pregnancies in rural areas.