Help me get my FGM Reconstruction surgery

Shamsa Sharawe is organizing this fundraiser.

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Hi my is shamsa sharawe/Araweelo. For those that know me know that I have undergone female genital mutilation at the age of six I had type 3 fgm which meant, I had my clitoris removed also my Labia manora and my Labia majora. I got my period when I was nine years old which affected me tremendously I suffered from severe pain and discomfort from the age of six. I am now 30 years old a social activist fighting against female genital mutilation but unfortunately my country the UK does not have any medical intervention for survivors like myself. We are expected to suffer without trauma in silence without any treatment. I have been told by doctors gynecologists that nothing can be done for me in the United Kingdom because there are no available treatments that help repair the scar tissue or the nerve damage caused by female genital mutilation. They (NHS) do not offer any reconstruction surgery and have told me that no doctor in this country will touch me due to the fact that I am an FGM Survivor. I started physically ripping at the age of 14 years old after my period had nowhere to flow it for years, it started to accumulate inside of me until it caused my sensitive skin to rip slowly. I was taken to the emergency room and I was told by a Doctor Who examined a 14 year old child that I was ripping because of my period I was given Paracetamol and I was sent home. Age 18 I was forced into a marriage and I experienced sa at the hands of my so-called husband but for me he was my rapist. The rape cause me to rip a slightly more than I was ripping when I was 14, then I was refused any medical treatment causing more scar tissue I'm more nerve damage because of the internal and external damage that was caused by this man.

As of 2022 I started physically tearing and ripping again and you might be wondering what I mean when I say I am ripping when I had my fgm at age 6 I was so together those stitches came out within a few weeks which meant my skin and the scar tissue healed shut so when I say I am ripping my scar tissue that healed so many years began to physically rip. When I use the term ripping or tearing doctors did not understand what I meant they could not comprehend any of the pain that I had endured for many many years to our films like my whole life I went to doctors that did absolutely nothing to help me not mentally and not physically. The NHS have neglected to help me even though I am a single parent I am a female who has gone through a tremendous amount of trauma more than I should have but there is nobody that can help me in this country. I had frequences infections throughout my life but the two times I had a cyst develop on my vulva.

On the 25th of May 2023 I had to be put to sleep and examined both internally and externally to see what they can do but I knew that those surgeries that I need are not available in this country nevertheless I was examined and I was told that I had scar tissue nerve damage and my vagina had a lot of inflammation and because of the inflammation I was given steroids injections on my vagina and painkillers and I was sent home. Since I have come back from the hospital I have been in nothing but pain and discomfort in more discomfort and pain that I was in before in my personal opinion because now my vagina does not feel like my own it feels very unusual I think it's because of the steroids injections which were supposed to help me but instead are working against me I am unable to wear trousers on knickers because they hurt but yet I will have my period every month and I would have to put them on and it will cause me a lot of pain and distress. I feel like because a lot of people have never experienced what I have experienced or have never spoken about it everyone is very confused whilst I'm suffering in pain I am expected to work. I expected to be a voice against fgm, I am expected to educate all about this practice, I am also expected to raise my child in a very good and effective way however please how can I do all of this was I am in pain and in this discomfort and the same country that has all these expectations of me will not provide any medical intervention for any survivors female genital mutilation. I still work for free majority of the time I still educate and I still empower survivors to come forward and I will continue because i love it but what about me what about my suffering almost decades of suffering.

I had a reconstruction consultation appointment in Germany on 19th June with a Doctor Who I have waited over eight months for. I am asking for help to raise money for me to be able to g Germany for my sugery, pay for medication, consultations etc. I do not have a European health care and the UK will not fund my reconstruction surgery or my travel. The estimated amount for surgery, hospital stay, consultations after surgery for a year, medication etc will come up to 15-20K. The 5k will be used towards travel back and forth to this doctors, food, accommodation during 4weeks in Germany, childcare. I feel like i am not being heard I am being watched whilst I suffer in pain I have been very vocal about my pain and the state of my vagina right now to the mayor of London to the NHS to charities anybody that would listen but guess what nothing was done nothing has been done for the past ten years for these women and nothing is being done from me now.

I should not have to turn my whole live upside down, i shouldnt have to raise money, reconstruction even should be available here in the UK. i know i wont get my surgery here in the UK young women but after me i will fight to ensure this surgery available in the UK even if my life depends on it. I will make it happen because they deserve a great quality of life after the suffering they have endured. And as long as we are neglecting survivors of female genital mutilation this practice will not end but if you want this practice to end provides survivors with the mental psychological and physical support like reconstruction surgery

in order to end fgm. If i am unable to raise the money i wont be able to get my surgery on 29th August 2023. I will have to reschedule for next available date. I appreciate you all for your kindness and generosity and for supporting me through this very difficult time I don't know how I will ever be able to repeat each and every one of you but please know that you are saving a life to lives mine and my daughters. I love you all ❤️