The Oasis Foundation
Grace Village
Ethiopia

Wubete Update - May 2008

Wubete is doing very well. About a year ago she went for another operation. This again was unsuccessful. She was very disappointed but has accepted it. Through it all she has matured a lot, but she hasn't lost her "spark". She has managed to learn reading and writing and is looking after 8 children. She loves them dearly and the children love her. She is an excellent mother and a very sociable person.

We understand that people are drawn to her. We appreciate it very much that so many people are thinking of her and are wanting to help her. But people should realize that she has a paid job now. This is a live-in job with housing, food and often clothing provided as well as a salary. From her salary she is also able to help her family! Besides that if she only is helped, it may create problems with the other 10 fistula patients which are here.

Yenenesh who was also in the film "A Walk to Beautiful" and now with us at Grace Village may feel bad if Wubete gets all the attention and financial support.

People should realize that there are still thousands of Wubete's out here, and these girls need to be helped. Wubete "made it" but what about these girls? Without help most of them will not make it.

Here at the Oasis Foundation we are proud to see girls like Wubete thrive and develop. But our hearts ache for the ones that are waiting to be helped, the ones who are living in bad conditions. We would love to see that we can reach these women and offer them a "life worth living" again.