For over 50 years, Australian gynaecological surgeon Dr Catherine Hamlin has been transforming the lives of Ethiopian women living as outcasts due to the disastrous effects of obstructed labour. This is the moving and utterly compelling account of an extraordinary life in Christian service. Book Review by Colin Buchanan from...
For over 50 years, Australian gynaecological surgeon Dr Catherine Hamlin has been transforming the lives of Ethiopian women living as outcasts due to the disastrous effects of obstructed labour. This is the moving and utterly compelling account of an extraordinary life in Christian service.
Book Review by Colin Buchanan from goodreads.com:
"Gynaecologists Catherine and Reg Hamlin left Australia in 1959 on a short contract to establish a midwifery school in Ethiopia. Almost 50 years later, Catherine is still there, running one of the most outstanding medical programs in the world. Through this work, thousands of women have been able to resume a normal existence after living as outcasts. The Hamlins dedicated their lives to women suffering the catastrophic effects of obstructed labour - a problem easily dealt with in the developed world by assisted delivery or caesarean section, but disastrous without medical intervention. The awful injuries that such labour produces are called fistulae, and until the Hamlins began their work in Ethiopia, fistula sufferers were neglected and forgotten - a vast group of women facing a lifetime of incapacity and degradation.
Catherine and Reg have successfully operated on almost 30,000 women, and the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, the hospital they opened in 1975, has become a major teaching institution for surgeons from all over Ethiopia, Africa and the developing world. Since Reg's death, Catherine has continued their work. As well as being made a companion of the Order of Australia, being awarded the ANZAC Peace Prize and the coveted Gold Medal from the Royal College of Surgeons, Catherine was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.
The Hospital by the River is Catherine's story. Set against the vivid backdrop of Ethiopia, it is a moving and utterly compelling account of an extraordinary life."
Gynaecologists Catherine and Reg Hamlin left Australia in 1959 on a short contract to establish a midwifery school in Ethiopia. Almost 50 years later, Catherine is still there, running one of the most outstanding medical programs in the world. Through this work, thousands of women have been able to resume a normal existence after living as outcasts. The Hamlins dedicated their lives to women suffering the catastrophic effects of obstructed labour–a problem easily dealt with in the developed world by assisted delivery or caesarean section, but disastrous without medical intervention. The awful injuries that such labour produces are called fistulae, and until the Hamlins began their work in Ethiopia, fistula sufferers were neglected and forgotten–a vast group of women facing a lifetime of incapacity and degradation. Catherine and Reg have successfully operated on almost 30,000 women, and the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, the hospital they opened in 1975, has become a major teaching institution for surgeons from all over Ethiopia, Africa and the developing world. Since Reg's death, Catherine has continued their work. As well as being made a companion of the Order of Australia, being awarded the ANZAC Peace Prize and the coveted Gold Medal from the Royal College of Surgeons, Catherine was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.The Hospital by the River is Catherine's story. Set against the vivid backdrop of Ethiopia, it is a moving and utterly compelling account of an extraordinary life.
For over 50 years, Australian gynaecological surgeon Dr Catherine Hamlin has been transforming the lives of Ethiopian women living as outcasts due to the disastrous effects of obstructed labour. This is the moving and utterly compelling account of an extraordinary life in Christian service. Book Review by Colin Buchanan from...
For over 50 years, Australian gynaecological surgeon Dr Catherine Hamlin has been transforming the lives of Ethiopian women living as outcasts due to the disastrous effects of obstructed labour. This is the moving and utterly compelling account of an extraordinary life in Christian service.
Book Review by Colin Buchanan from goodreads.com:
"Gynaecologists Catherine and Reg Hamlin left Australia in 1959 on a short contract to establish a midwifery school in Ethiopia. Almost 50 years later, Catherine is still there, running one of the most outstanding medical programs in the world. Through this work, thousands of women have been able to resume a normal existence after living as outcasts. The Hamlins dedicated their lives to women suffering the catastrophic effects of obstructed labour - a problem easily dealt with in the developed world by assisted delivery or caesarean section, but disastrous without medical intervention. The awful injuries that such labour produces are called fistulae, and until the Hamlins began their work in Ethiopia, fistula sufferers were neglected and forgotten - a vast group of women facing a lifetime of incapacity and degradation.
Catherine and Reg have successfully operated on almost 30,000 women, and the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, the hospital they opened in 1975, has become a major teaching institution for surgeons from all over Ethiopia, Africa and the developing world. Since Reg's death, Catherine has continued their work. As well as being made a companion of the Order of Australia, being awarded the ANZAC Peace Prize and the coveted Gold Medal from the Royal College of Surgeons, Catherine was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.
The Hospital by the River is Catherine's story. Set against the vivid backdrop of Ethiopia, it is a moving and utterly compelling account of an extraordinary life."
Gynaecologists Catherine and Reg Hamlin left Australia in 1959 on a short contract to establish a midwifery school in Ethiopia. Almost 50 years later, Catherine is still there, running one of the most outstanding medical programs in the world. Through this work, thousands of women have been able to resume a normal existence after living as outcasts. The Hamlins dedicated their lives to women suffering the catastrophic effects of obstructed labour–a problem easily dealt with in the developed world by assisted delivery or caesarean section, but disastrous without medical intervention. The awful injuries that such labour produces are called fistulae, and until the Hamlins began their work in Ethiopia, fistula sufferers were neglected and forgotten–a vast group of women facing a lifetime of incapacity and degradation. Catherine and Reg have successfully operated on almost 30,000 women, and the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital, the hospital they opened in 1975, has become a major teaching institution for surgeons from all over Ethiopia, Africa and the developing world. Since Reg's death, Catherine has continued their work. As well as being made a companion of the Order of Australia, being awarded the ANZAC Peace Prize and the coveted Gold Medal from the Royal College of Surgeons, Catherine was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.The Hospital by the River is Catherine's story. Set against the vivid backdrop of Ethiopia, it is a moving and utterly compelling account of an extraordinary life.
For many years I have heard bits and pieces about the pioneering work of the late doctors Reg and Catherine Hamlin in Ethiopia. They went there as young doctors hoping to help out in a needy country. Soon they became aware of the plight of women left with birth injuries. With much compassion they sought to heal the whole person while developing ground breaking fistula surgery. Catherine, with John Little, tells the story from the beginning. This includes the building of the Hamlin's own hospital, the medical training of local women, one a gifted doctor who they taught informally, raising their son cross-culturally and the work right into the final years of Catherine's widowhood. The journey wasn't without difficulties along the way and dangers including civil war. Catherine tells the story with warmth and honesty. This is a wonderfully uplifting book that I highly recommend.
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
6 years ago
Still a favourite
All these years after I first read this bio, it remains a highlight and an absolute exemplar of the extent of positive change that can be made with persistence, passion, and God.
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
8 years ago
inspiring and moving
This autobiography is a deeply inspiring and moving story of how one couple's followed God's call to make an incredible difference to so many people's lives. Catherine and Reg's trust in God and their love for 'the least of these' is a beautiful reminder of how each of us is called to live within our own lives and circumstances. But as inspiring as their story is, I was even more touched by the stories of the women that Catherine and Reg saved: these incredible women were able to continue their lives with dignity, patience and forgiveness despite the unthinkable pain and suffering they have endured. Definitely recommended
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
9 years ago
What an inspiration!
I challenge anyone to remain uninspired after reading this book. Dr Catherine Hamlin remains - to this day - my hero. She has been servant hearted, faithful and committed to restoring DIGNITY to thousands of women. \\r\\n\\r\\nI've been telling my 11yo daughter about this incredible woman and she has chosen to feature her as her major project at school this year. \\r\\n\\r\\nThe Hospital by the River is a must read and I'm so glad I've had the privilege of reading about this mighty woman.
