Stories of epidemic, violence and struggle dominate the portrayal of Africa in the West. But some of Africa’s most important and difficult stories remain untold, especially stories about the diseases and health conditions which have already been eradicated in the Western world but continue to plague people across the African continent. Yet as these untold stories of struggle begin to emerge, so too will new stories of medical success in the developing world.

Obstetric fistula is one such ailment, both under-reported in the western world but with emerging stories of hope and medical triumph. Fistula is an injury to women which results from several days of obstructed labor, a condition has been all but eradicated in most of the world and can be easily prevented with modern medical knowledge and practices. But in Ethiopia, due to the remoteness of many smaller communities, fistula is a regular challenge which still threatens many mothers and young women.