// Meet Our Staff

Allison Shigo, Executive Director and Founder 

Through her travels to Ethiopia working on the Emmy Award winning documentary, A Walk to Beautiful, a film following the lives of five Ethiopian women who have suffered from obstetric fistula, Allison witnessed firsthand the need for an organization that works with the Ethiopian community to ensure all women suffering from obstetric fistula are reintegrated into their communities, receive psychological care, education, support and the means to be productive post-surgery. In 2009, she founded Healing Hands of Joy (HHOJ) a non-profit dedicated to serving the needs of women with obstetric fistula and currently serves as Executive Director. She has spent the last two years working with a team of Ethiopian advisors and staff to develop the HHOJ program and Safe Motherhood Ambassador Training pilot project to transform and improve the lives of former fistula patients. In the US she is working side-by-side with the world's leading fistula related international organizations in an effort to eradicate fistula and galvanize change. In 2011, she was selected to present the outcome and experience of her work with HHOJ at the International Obstetric Fistula Working Group’s annual meeting. Her vision is to see the Safe Motherhood Ambassador Training program change fistula patient’s lives around the world and prevent more women from suffering needlessly.

Lulseged Beyene, Program Director 

Lulseged has more than ten years of work experience in international organizations as a program officer, researcher, trainer and consultant. Before joining HHJ, Beyene served for two years as a monitoring and evaluation consultant for Imagine1day. He is grateful and blessed to work for HHOJ because his team is reaching the forgotten and saving the lives of mothers and children in Ethiopia.

Chaina Alemayhu, Finance Administrator 

Chaina worked for eight years at the Ethiopian Red Cross as Accountant, Project Coordinator and IGA officer. Chaina has overcome many challenges in life including being raised in an orphanage. Chaina is happy to work at HHOJ because of the changes he witnesses in the women he works with. He is inspired when the SMAS become self-independent and their lives change after the monthly training.

Frewaini Taddesse, Project Coordinator 

Frewaini is a trained nurse with an advanced degree in public health.  She worked as a Health Officer for the Tigray Health Bureau. Since 2008, Frewaini has served as an instructor at Dr. Tewelde Health Science Nursing College in Mekelle as an instructor where she teaches Anatomy and Physiology, Nutrition, Nursing Health and Psychosocial courses. She joined the staff of HHOJ as the Safe Motherhood Ambassador Project Coordinator in  June 2011 and health trainer. She is happy to work at HHOJ because she sees the changes of the SMAS as they become  contributing members of their society by increasing institutional delivery.

Tesfu Abraha, Psychological Counselor

Tesfu has a BSC in psychology and previously worked as a professor at Sheba University and  New Millennium colleges. Tesfu is most happy at HHOJ when he sees the behavioral improvement of the SMAS and the social integration of the SMAS to their community.

Sister Hiwot Asfaw, Office Manager

Hiwot holds a diploma in nursing and monitors SMAs on their health status, self-hygiene and diets. She is passionate about HHOJ and supporting the SMA training and working closely with the HHOJ staff. 

Alema Beyene, Security Guard

Alema, a former businessman, joined to HHOJ November 2011. He passionate at HHOJ while he observes the good staff relationship and amazing contributions for the former fistula patients.

Ayumut Negus Hailu, Security Guard

Mulu G/Hiwot, Cleaner

Mulu suffered from fistula for 12 years before finally receiving surgery at the Addis Ababa Hamlin Fistula Hospital. She is now working at HHOJ as a cleaner. Mulu is hard worker, committed, dedicated and she respects her job and the whole staff of the HHOJ. Working at HHOJ, Mulu feels at home and supports the environment where women like her can change and grow in every aspect of their life. 

Tsehaynesh Equar, Cook

Tsehaynesh joined HHOJ after working at Meskerem Hospital. She is happy working at HHOJ because there is good staff relationship and everybody cooperates with each other. Always smiling, Tsehaynesh gives a great warm welcome to the SMAS when they stay for one month at HHOJ.

Desta Debesay, Cook

Desta joined HHOJ after working for the Mekelle Fistula Hospital for three year. She is a fistula survivor and is really happy to be working at HHOJ. She understands very well the challenges associated with recovering from fistula and loves to take care of the women at the center. 

// Ethiopian Advisory Board