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Current projects in East Africa
HER DIGNITY FUND
Every woman matters.
Providing lifesaving maternal healthcare & fistula repair in remote Africa
Around the world, approximately 800 women die every day from birth-related injuries such as fistula. More than half of these are in sub-Saharan Africa. The Barbara May Foundation funds projects that provide dignity and safety for underprivileged women in birth.
Established in 2009, the Barbara May Foundation (BMF) provides funding to Australian medical professionals Valerie Browning AM and Dr Andrew Browning AM initiating and managing projects in remote East Africa (Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Northern Uganda) that relieve the high incidence of death and extreme injury such as fistula in pregnancy and childbirth. They provide safety, dignity and hope. Maternal healthcare and medical services are provided at no cost, regardless of race or religion.
Projects supported in Africa
Barbara May Maternity Hospital, Ethiopia
Valerie Browning AM
Vision Maternity Care Hospital, Ethiopia
Dr Birhanu Menber
Kivulini Hospital Maternity Africa (MA), Tanzania
Dr Andrew Browning
Latest News & Articles
Announcing Phaedra Hospital: Hope, Life and Legacy
An Australian couple, Anthony and Rae McLellan, have generously donated $2.6 million to fund the...
Fistula surgeries: It takes a team
Meet some of the team restoring women’s dignity in TanzaniaCome with Dr Andrew as he introduces...
Lebmogne’s Story: Celebrating Safe Childbirth
Lebmogne was only 14 when she was first pregnant. She laboured for two days but, tragically, gave...
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It has been wonderful to show you some behind the scenes of Dr Browning’s recent visit to Mille Ethiopia. Together, we’re making safe birth possible for women, like Nifi, who live in one of the most remote places in the world. This is what it’s all for 🧡
Partner with us to continue providing life-saving maternal healthcare - visit link in bio.
#midwifery #obstetrician #maternalhealthcare #maternitycare #womenshealth #workplacegiving #philanthropy #hospital #APDA #Ethiopia
Meet Dr Omer and hear about the important services women can access – for free – at Barbara May Maternity Hospital, Ethiopia.
Donate today and partner with us to change the story of maternal health in Africa: (Link in Bio)
#maternalhealth #hospital #3rdtrimester #postnatalcare #midwifery #Obstetrics #ADoctorInAfrica #workplacegiving #philanthropy #APDA
After a hearty brekky at the local café, it’s time to get to work.
Our staff cafeteria in Mille, Ethiopia, might look different to your local hospital’s cafe, but the women we serve are just as important 🧡
(Find out more about supported hospitals in Africa - link in bio)
#womenshealth #hospitallife #maternalhealth #midwifelife #obstetrician #ADoctorInAfrica #barbaramayfoundation #APDA #midwifery #nurselife #nurses #gynaecology
Brekky time in the staff ‘cafeteria’ before the day’s work begins. Join me to meet Ahmed, one of the dedicated team members at Barbara May Maternity Hospital.
#fístula #APDA #ADoctorInAfric #Maalika #Ethiopia #maternalhealth #philanthropy #womenshealth #australiancharity #barbaramayfoundation #workplacegiving
Fitting in a morning walk around Mille before it gets too hot. Even the staff café isn’t open yet!
#ADoctorInAfrica #MaternalHealth #womenshealth #australiancharity #APDA #fistulatreatment #philanthropy
Not your average trip to work; not your average work…
Find out more about how this hospital, supported entirely by donors from countries like Australia for nearly 15 years, is providing hope and healing for nomadic women suffering from childbirth-related injuries in the deserts of East Africa: (visit out website - link in bio)
#APDA #Ethiopia #fistulasurgery #fistula #Afar #obstetrician #womenshealth #MaternalHealth
If you’re pregnant and dreading the upcoming heat of spring and summer, then spare a thought for women in the Afar desert regions of East Africa, where temperatures often reach 50 degrees Celsius! ☀️🤰🏾
Photo: Michael Benanav https://www.afarofethiopia.com/
#ethiopia #APDA #MaternalHealth #pregnancy #3rdtrimester #motherhood #womenshealth #summertime
Volume on! 🔊
Part 4: Our ‘official’ tour was interrupted by the surrounding sound of women singing. Healing at Kivulini is more than just surgery 🧡
@maternityafrica
#fistula #modelofcare #centreofexcellence #obstetrician #socialwork #womenshealth #maternalhealth #EndFistula #MaternityCare
Taking a moment to appreciate that all the babies we see in NICU may not be here today, if not for the incredible team within these walls, as well as your ongoing support of this excellent hospital 🙌.
P.S How cute is this baby 😍!!
@maternityafrica #midwife #obstetrician #maternalhealth #nicu #neonatal #charity #womenshealth #midwifelife #charity
New mothers, new babies and families together. This is what fistula prevention looks like.
(Part 2 of our unofficial behind-the-scenes tour at our partner hospital, Kivulini Maternity Centre!)
@maternityafrica
#endfistula #fistulatreatment #womenshealth #maternalhealth #birthstory #midwifery
What challenges are women from nomadic tribes in Ethiopia facing during childbirth?
Valerie Browning AM, also known as Maalika (‘Queen’) by the local Afar peoples, gives us a quick update.
Today is International Day of Rural Women 🧡 Join us in ensuring women from remote and rural areas of East Africa can access lifesaving maternal healthcare: https://barbaramayfoundation.com/how-can-i-help/
#APDA #MaternalHealth #womenshealth #pregnancyandlabour #australiancharity #midwifery #internationaldayofruralwomen
Today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. We’d like to pause and offer a moment of remembrance and prayer for the women we serve who have lost babies. In Africa, many pregnancy and infant losses could be avoided if women simply had access to safe, skilled, resourced maternal healthcare services.
Please take a moment, and then leave a white heart 🤍 in the comments for the mothers and families who will forever hold their lost babies in their hearts.
#fistula #maternalhealth #womenshealth #pregnancy #infantlossawareness #stillbornstillloved #midwifelife #midwifery #australiancharity #pregnancyandinfantlossawareness #angelbaby