Our Story Began with a Video
Co-founder Allison Shigo co-produced the film A Walk to Beautiful, inspiring her to create Healing Hands of Joy in 2009 after witnessing the gap in prevention and reintegration for fistula survivors.
Watch “A Walk to Beautiful”The Power of Joy
Experience a short film about the lasting effects of conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region and the women helping their communities heal.
Journey to Joy
Follow Safe Motherhood Ambassadors™ and see how women once affected by obstetric fistula become leaders who help make motherhood safer in their communities.
Meet Awawu
Awawu is a mother of three from southern Ethiopia. She lived with obstetric fistula for eight months before receiving treatment.
After healing, Awawu completed rehabilitation and Safe Motherhood Ambassador™ training. Today, she helps women learn about prenatal care and safe delivery.
A cow provided through her reintegration support has since had a calf, helping Awawu provide milk for her children, earn income by selling butter, and continue rebuilding stability for her family.
Healing That Creates New Leaders
Meet women who transformed their experiences into leadership, advocacy, and safer motherhood.
One Woman, Many Voices
Follow the inspiring story of Beriha Reda, the first Safe Motherhood Ambassador™.
The Ambassador
Learn about the Safe Motherhood Ambassador Program in this short film narrated by Natalie Imbruglia.
Ending Fistula in Ethiopia
Fistula surgeon Dr. Melaku explains how obstetric fistula develops and why access to timely maternal healthcare matters.
More Videos
Discover more stories from Healing Hands of Joy and the Safe Motherhood Ambassadors™ leading change across Ethiopia.
Watch All Videos
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