Screening supports Ethiopian hospital

The Pearl Beach Craft Group will hold an afternoon tea and film screening in aid of the Hamlin Fistula Relief and Aid Fund on Tuesday, March 24.

The charity devotes its efforts to support the work of the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia for the treatment and care of fistula patients.

Communications officer Ms Lynne Lillico said special guest Dr Andrew Browning would be in attendance to share his experiences of working in the hospital.

"Special guest speaker is Dr Andrew Browning, an Australian trained Gynecologist working in Ethiopia at the satellite hospital at Barhirdar which is attached to the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital," Ms Lillico said.

"Dr Browning has been working in Ethiopia for the past seven years at the Ababa Fistula Hospital, spending the first four plus years working at the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital and for the last three years he has been running a new fistula hospital built in the north of the country in a town called Barhirdar.

"As a satellite hospital they treat around 700 women per year.

"Dr Browning is married with one child and is back in Australia, for further training."

Ms Lillico said the afternoon tea would also provide the opportunity to see the film Walk to Beautiful, an award-winning documentary following the life of five Ethiopian women suffering from obstetric fistula.

Event organiser Ms Eunice Worrall said the fundraising afternoon would be a great opportunity for members of the public to learn more about the hospital from Dr Browning.

"During a busy Australian schedule and spending time at Brisbane Water Private Hospital, we are delighted that Dr Browning has found time to speak about his first hand experiences working with young women in Ethiopia.

"Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy afternoon tea at the conclusion of the presentation and film."

The event will be held from 1.30pm at the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall, 9 Diamond Rd, Pearl Beach.

The $10 admission fee includes afternoon tea.

For more information and tickets, phone 4341 1790 or 4342 3751.

Tickets will also be available at the door.

Press release, 1 Mar 2009 Lynne Lillico, Pearl Beach Progress Association