In developing nations, a young girl is often encouraged to bear children long before her body has fully matured. In Nigeria, the stigma of VVF is devastating. Those suffering are often ridiculed and rejected by their families, and forced to beg or prostitute themselves to earn a living. Since the average hospital stay for each woman is three weeks, adequate facilities are needed for the growing number of VVF patients who receive free treatment. Along with medical help, these women are receiving spiritual support.
Female chaplains provide both counseling and evangelism.
As a result, at least 20 women each year give their hearts to Jesus Christ. Dr. Jonathan Karshima of Evangel says many VVF patients are Muslim women who respond to the Gospel message presented through the witness of the chaplains, hospital staff, and use of the Jesus film. You've made it possible to lend a hand to Evangel Hospital's VVF patients- transforming both their physical and spiritual lives with God's love. When we offered to take her picture, she ran to a pan of rainwater, vigorously scrubbed her face, then disappeared inside a hovel that served as her home and put on her best dress. They were at a Mexico City dump.