Josephine Adankpo

The drums were beating a glorious praise to God. People crammed into the ward to celebrate the joy of the women who received successful VVF surgeries. Josephine stood happily among them. Dressed in a lovely new green dress, her head wreathed by a matching headpiece, she flashed a brilliant smile as she came through the door.

Josephine and her husband had four children when she discovered she was pregnant with a fifth. Despite the fact that she had a C- section in the hospital, her baby died, and Josphine suffered a childbirth injury called a vesico-vaginal fistula. This injury is all too common in poorer countries. It is caused by prolonged or difficult labor without timely medical assistance.

The constant leakage of urine resulting from VVF disgusted Josephine's husband. Because he had never heard of anyone ever having such a problem, he decided his wife must have been unfaithful. He accused her of being a prostitute and kicked her out of their home.

She and her three younger children went to Benin to live with her father. To support them all, she made tapioca to sell. But customers were repelled by the smell from her wet clothing and wouldn't buy any food from her. With no other resource, she was reduced to selling trinkets by the roadside.

Gossip and hurtful remarks followed Josephine wherever she went. She was so overwhelmed by shame, she hid in the house. She described her despair. “ When I slept and then I woke up, m y bed and everything around me would be wet. I would say to myself, ‘ What kind of life is this?' Then one day I heard there was a hospital ship coming to Benin . ”

Her hopes were raised when her aunt told her to come to Cotonou, because the Africa Mercy was coming to Benin to offer surgeries free of charge. She went to a screening and was accepted for surgery. But the first procedure didn't eliminate the problem. Disappointed, but undaunted, she went back for a second surgery. But by then, the ship had gone, and she was advised to travel to Togo, the site of the ship's next Field Service.

When the Africa Mercy arrived in Togo, Josephine called to say she would come to Lomè for the VVF surgeries. This time, her persistence and hope were rewarded with a successful surgery.

As she celebrated the wonderful gift of a normal life, Josephine exulted, “ I want to thank God. I want to thank the doctors and all the day-volunteers.” After seven years, she was dry!

Story by Elaine B. Winn

Edited by Nancy Predaina

Photos by Liz Cantu