In 2002, Dr Catherine Hamlin founded Hamlin’s Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre, Desta Mender. Desta Mender (‘Joy Village’ in Amharic), is a recovery centre where longer-term obstetric fistula patients with more severe injuries can continue to heal. Some women with complex cases may need multiple surgeries and ongoing care. 

At Desta Mender each woman has a tailored rehabilitation and reintegration program. Women are offered counselling, literacy and numeracy classes, as well as craft, vocational and life skills training. 

The Hamlin team supports women to find sustainable employment upon reintegration back into their communities. In some cases, this also includes the facilitation of start up grants to establish their own business, enabling these women to generate an income.

These beautiful wraps and scarves are handcrafted by recovering patients at Desta Mender. They are knitted from raw Ethiopian cotton, and each comes with the name of the woman who made it.

By purchasing one of these wraps or scarves, you are supporting both the patient who made it and the work of Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia.

When in stock, patient-made wraps and scarves can be purchased here.