Project for Women

April 7–11, 2025

Hamlin Fistula Hospital

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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Head of Mission :

Dr Emilie LIOT (CH)

Trainers :

Dr. Emilie Liot (Switzerland), Dr. Gonzalo Soto (Chile), Dr. Lionel Dumont (France), and Jean-Daniel Junod (Switzerland)

Participants :

13 healthcare professionals: 7 young surgeons from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi, and Somalia 6 local doctors from Addis-based hospitals

Programme :

This week at Hamlin Hospital, we are training young surgeons in reconstructive surgery for women. Together, we heal — and we teach. Because a woman healed can reclaim her place, her voice, her life.

From April 7 to 11, 2025, 2nd Chance conducted a surgical training mission at Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa as part of its Women’s Project. Founded to provide care for women suffering from obstetric fistula, Hamlin is a place of hope, healing, and pioneering care. For nearly 10 years, 2nd Chance has proudly partnered with this institution, sharing a common vision: to restore dignity to women through surgery, and to train the next generation of surgeons in this highly specialized field.

Teaching the Next Generation of Reconstructive Surgeons

Led by Dr. Emilie Liot (Switzerland), Dr. Gonzalo Soto (Chile), Dr. Lionel Dumont (France), and Jean-Daniel Junod (Switzerland), the mission focused on posterior perineal fistula repair – a rare but life-changing procedure.

👩‍⚕️ 13 trainees joined the program:

7 young surgeons from Ethiopia, Tanzania, Burundi, and Somalia
6 local doctors from Addis Ababa hospitals

Through hands-on teaching, experience-sharing, and a supportive environment, participants developed technical skills while building a strong East African surgical network.

👉🏽 At Hamlin Hospital — long dedicated to treating the most vulnerable women — 2nd Chance brings advanced surgical techniques and continuous professional development to expand the reach and quality of care.

Beyond Surgery: Empowering Through Prevention

This year’s mission also included sexual health education delivered by Dr. Jasmin, a reconstructive surgeon. These interactive sessions — translated into Amharic and attended by both patients and staff — opened up vital conversations around the body, trauma, and healing.

✅ These sessions support both recovery and prevention of future harm
✅ They also help equip nurses and local caregivers with lasting knowledge

Impact in Numbers

16 women examined
11 surgeries planned, including 8 highly complex cases
Follow-up care for patients treated in previous missions

💬 “Hamlin has laid the foundation. Our mission is to build on it — with every stitch, every lesson, and every patient story.”

🙏 This mission was possible thanks to the tireless dedication of our volunteer surgeons, the courage of the women we care for, and the support of our donors and partners. Together, we heal — and we teach others to do the same.

2nd Chance in action

We heal to rebuild lives and restore hope.

Here are our latest actions in the field: through specialized interventions, patients suffering from burns, congenital malformations, obstetric fistulas, or goiters have regained their health, dignity, and independence. These essential treatments transform not only the lives of the patients but also those of their families and communities.