It all started out as a passion to spread the word to as
many people as possible on the dangers of Vesico Vaginal Fistula. Many years
ago, as a student of the University of Calabar, Nollywood star actress
Stephanie Linus heard about some young girls who had been forced into early
marriage and were suffering the negative and embarrassing effects of VVF. The
encounter lingered in her memory until she began to seek ways to raise
awareness on the condition. Continue...
She embarked on a journey of research and visits to
several hospitals and VVF centers both within and outside Nigeria to interact
with girls and women suffering from the condition and doctors who took care of
them. She also partnered with NGOs in other African countries like Liberia and
Sierra Leone.
These visits, interactions and research conducted over some
years provided the blueprint for the script of her self-produced movie called
‘DRY’. Set to be released soon, DRY is a movie centered around two girls who
found themselves in the same cultural trap full of ignorance and cruelty.
But beyond the movie, raising awareness on VVF for Stephanie
is a passion. “For some reason, I am deeply moved by young girls and women
suffering from this condition and would continue to do everything I can to help
as many of them as possible,” she said.
And so, for two weeks, Stephanie and her team from the
Extended Hands Foundation (a charity organization founded by her) were in
Ogoja, Cross River state, attending to the needs of 22 women living with VVF.
The project was sponsored by SNEPCo/NNPC with the support of some dedicated
doctors and nurses at the General Hospital, Ogoja, Cross River state. The team
of doctors carried out repair surgeries on the 22 women and catered for them
for 2 weeks, nursing them back to health.
Aside from the surgeries, the foundation also donated
surgical equipment and electrical supplies which was presented to the hospital
at an event attended by the Cross River State Commissioner for Social Welfare
& Community Development, Cross River State Barrister Patricia Endeley and
the Director Health, Population and Nutrition Office USAID Dr Nancy Lowenthal.
Other people who were present include Dr Joseph Monehine , Dr Adamu of Engender
Health and the Chief Surgeon Dr Sa’ad Idris.
Not only did Stephanie have very close interactions with the
women who shared their devastating experiences, she watched the doctors perform
the surgeries on some of the women and described her experience as “life
changing”. Many of them had been living with the conditions for several years.
“There’s nothing like being in the theatre and seeing these
doctors delicately restoring these women back to health and giving them another
chance at living normal lives. The experience was life changing and I’m really
glad I could be a part of this,” she said.
For Stephanie and the Extended Hands Foundation, it’s not
the end but the journey and awareness still continues. “In our own little way,
let’s help spread the word against child marriage and VVF and ensure we live
healthy lives,” she advises.
