And then they danced...

As we sat waiting, seated in a circle on the empty ward, we heard the distant sound of singing flowing up the corridor. As the anticipation built, in came the women in their beautiful new dresses, glowing radiantly through their make up.




Each dress, given to them by the ship, symbolising their new life free from rejection and the stigma of incontinence. They had spent the previous hour being carefully dressed and made up by the ships crew and volunteers, smiling and laughing with joy when they saw their reflection in the mirror.



And then they danced. Singing joyful songs to God they moved around the room, happiness and peace shining from them.



One after the other the women stood up to tell their stories; ‘After I had my child and I realised that I was leaking urine, my family made me live on my own in a separate hut. My child had died during labour and my husband would not go near me. I could not work because people thought I was dirty and did not want to buy my drinks. My husband’s second wife shunned me and refused to eat the food that I made. She told me that I was useless. But now I want to thank the doctors and nurses for what they have done. I now have a new hope and I can return to my family without shame.’

One of the women tells her story with the help of a translator

This story is sadly true of many of the women suffering from VVF (vesico-vaginal fistulas, see my earlier blog) who come to seek help from the ship. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be rejected by family and all those that you love for something that is not your fault. It is so heartbreaking to hear of these women not only losing a child but also their lives as well. Some have had a fistula for many years. As I looked in to the faces of the women standing in front of me I realised how resilient and hardened to life they were. Now they are able to return home with their heads held high to start a new life full of hope. It is the most wonderful thing to see.

Clementine, a crew member (who is Togolese) organises the ceremonies, spends time with the women on the ship and shows them huge amounts of love


Lindsay and Maggie, the VVF coordinators and nurses spend time
praying with the women at each ceremony