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
Her Story: Restoring Hilda’s Dignity
Hilda suffered an obstetric fistula during childbirth as a teenager. Hear her story below....
March Newsletter
Read our latest news and updates!
Workplace Giving Program is a Multi-Million Dollar Success!
The staff at Sydney Local Health District (SLHD), NSW, have collectively donated OVER $2 MILLION...
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Did you know it’s just over two weeks until Mother’s Day!? 🤯
There’s nothing more relevant to mothers than giving birth – and the complications that can arise. Surprise Mum with this inspiring read, and the extra gift of knowing that purchasing this book is helping women in Africa be able to give birth safely.
Plus… whose mum wouldn’t love a good book to go with that cuppa you’re going to make her? (Hint! Hint!)
Order your gift today to ensure it arrives in time! > Link in bio.
#mothersday #mothersday2025 #bookreview #giftformum #giftideasforher♥️ #barbaramayfoundation #australiancharity #meaningfulgift #midwifegift #nursegift #newmumgift
Did you know it’s just over two weeks until Mother’s Day!? 🤯
There’s nothing more relevant to mothers than giving birth – and the complications that can arise. Surprise Mum with this inspiring read, and the extra gift of knowing that purchasing this book is helping women in Africa be able to give birth safely.
Plus… whose mum wouldn’t love a good book to go with that cuppa you’re going to make her? (Hint! Hint!)
Order your gift today to ensure it arrives in time! > Link in bio.
#mothersday #mothersday2025 #bookreview #giftformum #giftideasforher♥️ #barbaramayfoundation #australiancharity #meaningfulgift #midwifegift #nursegift #newmumgift
Happy Easter! Melkam Fasika!
To everyone celebrating Easter, whether here or in Africa, we send our greetings and blessings.
There is nothing like hope after the darkness, new life after loss, and generous, compassionate love. Thank you to God who modelled for us the greatest love for us all 🧡
#barbaramayfoundation #melkamfasika #happyeaster
Happy Easter! Melkam Fasika!
To everyone celebrating Easter, whether here or in Africa, we send our greetings and blessings.
There is nothing like hope after the darkness, new life after loss, and generous, compassionate love. Thank you to God who modelled for us the greatest love for us all 🧡
#barbaramayfoundation #melkamfasika #happyeaster
"Five districts of northern Uganda have no comprehensive maternity services. When finished, our new maternity hospital, a partnership with Sonic Healthcare and Te-Kworo Foundation, will help women, who, currently in labour, often walk more than a day for help.
We inspected the property which, excitingly, is well on its way to being finished. A site blessing, important to raise local community awareness and engagement, was attended by government officials, the local bishop, and girls from the local high school.
Minister for Women, Hon Beatrice Akeri from the Office of the President visited and it was a privilege to meet her.
Today a little Cessna came and collected us back to Kampala for our next assignment. I thought all airports had even a shed. Not this one. Just a red dirt road as the airstrip!"
- An update from Karen Baker, General Manager
#uganda #barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth #maternityhospital #Maternitycare #maternity #fistula #australiancharity
"Five districts of northern Uganda have no comprehensive maternity services. When finished, our new maternity hospital, a partnership with Sonic Healthcare and Te-Kworo Foundation, will help women, who, currently in labour, often walk more than a day for help.
We inspected the property which, excitingly, is well on its way to being finished. A site blessing, important to raise local community awareness and engagement, was attended by government officials, the local bishop, and girls from the local high school.
Minister for Women, Hon Beatrice Akeri from the Office of the President visited and it was a privilege to meet her.
Today a little Cessna came and collected us back to Kampala for our next assignment. I thought all airports had even a shed. Not this one. Just a red dirt road as the airstrip!"
- An update from Karen Baker, General Manager
#uganda #barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth #maternityhospital #Maternitycare #maternity #fistula #australiancharity
Talk about cutting it fine! Dr Browning was down to his last suture after operating on 103 cases during the most recent fistula camp he attended. These particular sutures are hard to find but are very useful for obstetric fistula surgeries.
Our previous supplier had unexpectedly stopped providing these sutures, but thankfully – as many of you know – Dr Browning really makes resources go as far as possible! In his book, A Doctor In Africa, Dr Browning talks about how wasteful Western hospitals have become, e.g. throwing things out instead of sterilising them. When you rely on donations of supplies, or funding to provide them, you really need to plan ahead. Thankfully, Dr Browning did just that, with his one remaining suture as evidence!!
A huge thanks to Sonic Healthcare Foundation who have saved the day – and all the planned upcoming fistula surgeries – by donating more sutures.
We are so grateful for your ongoing donations, which allow us to plan and provide ongoing medical supplies for our maternity hospitals in Africa.
#fistula #medicalcharity #barbaramayfoundation #suture #midwifery #obstetrics #obstetrician #womenshealth #maternalhealth #maternity
Talk about cutting it fine! Dr Browning was down to his last suture after operating on 103 cases during the most recent fistula camp he attended. These particular sutures are hard to find but are very useful for obstetric fistula surgeries.
Our previous supplier had unexpectedly stopped providing these sutures, but thankfully – as many of you know – Dr Browning really makes resources go as far as possible! In his book, A Doctor In Africa, Dr Browning talks about how wasteful Western hospitals have become, e.g. throwing things out instead of sterilising them. When you rely on donations of supplies, or funding to provide them, you really need to plan ahead. Thankfully, Dr Browning did just that, with his one remaining suture as evidence!!
A huge thanks to Sonic Healthcare Foundation who have saved the day – and all the planned upcoming fistula surgeries – by donating more sutures.
We are so grateful for your ongoing donations, which allow us to plan and provide ongoing medical supplies for our maternity hospitals in Africa.
#fistula #medicalcharity #barbaramayfoundation #suture #midwifery #obstetrics #obstetrician #womenshealth #maternalhealth #maternity
Apwoyo (hello) from Kampala, Uganda! Dr Andrew Browning (Medical Director), Karen Baker (General Manager) and our Sonic Healthcare friends are pictured here en route to a small, remote community of northern Uganda ✈️
Barbara May Foundation, together with Te-Kworo Foundation and Sonic Healthcare Foundation, have a near-constructed maternity hospital in Pader, northern Uganda, due to open later this year.
This new facility, generously supported by Sonic, will give poor and vulnerable women in this community a safe place to deliver their babies and be supported through any complications, free of charge.
#barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth #childbirth #maternity #maternalhealth #midwifery #australiancharity
Apwoyo (hello) from Kampala, Uganda! Dr Andrew Browning (Medical Director), Karen Baker (General Manager) and our Sonic Healthcare friends are pictured here en route to a small, remote community of northern Uganda ✈️
Barbara May Foundation, together with Te-Kworo Foundation and Sonic Healthcare Foundation, have a near-constructed maternity hospital in Pader, northern Uganda, due to open later this year.
This new facility, generously supported by Sonic, will give poor and vulnerable women in this community a safe place to deliver their babies and be supported through any complications, free of charge.
#barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth #childbirth #maternity #maternalhealth #midwifery #australiancharity
Her Story: Halima 🧡
Halima is from the Afar region in Ethiopia. When she went into labour, she was attended by an untrained traditional birth attendant. The attendant tried to help deliver the baby, but, using an old traditional village knife, she accidentally cut through Halima’s urethra. Halima lived with a fistula, leaking urine, for five years. She has now received treatment at the Barbara May Maternity Hospital in Mille, Ethiopia, and is doing well.
Here she is pictured with Sr Ahmed, an exceptional health officer who cares for all the patients, at our hospital supporting the millions living in the Afar deserts.
Find out more about the maternity and fistula hospitals we support in Africa, and how you can help more women like Halima - link in bio.
#birthstory #fistula #australiancharity #barbaramayfoundation #maternity #maternalhealth #womenshealth
Her Story: Halima 🧡
Halima is from the Afar region in Ethiopia. When she went into labour, she was attended by an untrained traditional birth attendant. The attendant tried to help deliver the baby, but, using an old traditional village knife, she accidentally cut through Halima’s urethra. Halima lived with a fistula, leaking urine, for five years. She has now received treatment at the Barbara May Maternity Hospital in Mille, Ethiopia, and is doing well.
Here she is pictured with Sr Ahmed, an exceptional health officer who cares for all the patients, at our hospital supporting the millions living in the Afar deserts.
Find out more about the maternity and fistula hospitals we support in Africa, and how you can help more women like Halima - link in bio.
#birthstory #fistula #australiancharity #barbaramayfoundation #maternity #maternalhealth #womenshealth
Meet the team… Sr Banchu 😊
Banchu has been working as a midwife at Vision Maternity Care Hospital since it opened in Bahirdar, Ethiopia, in 2011. She has delivered and supervised the delivery of thousands of babies in her time!
She loves working at VMC because of “The good working atmosphere and conditions. I enjoy being able to care for the women in labour and to be able to do my job correctly because we have what we need to do so.”
What a blessing it is for women to be able to receive care during childbirth from dedicated staff like Banchu
Find out how to support the hospital where Banchu works: https://barbaramayfoundation.com/projects/vision-maternity-care-hospital/
#maternity #maternalcare #maternalhealth #midwives #midwife #midwifery #barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth
Meet the team… Sr Banchu 😊
Banchu has been working as a midwife at Vision Maternity Care Hospital since it opened in Bahirdar, Ethiopia, in 2011. She has delivered and supervised the delivery of thousands of babies in her time!
She loves working at VMC because of “The good working atmosphere and conditions. I enjoy being able to care for the women in labour and to be able to do my job correctly because we have what we need to do so.”
What a blessing it is for women to be able to receive care during childbirth from dedicated staff like Banchu
Find out how to support the hospital where Banchu works: https://barbaramayfoundation.com/projects/vision-maternity-care-hospital/
#maternity #maternalcare #maternalhealth #midwives #midwife #midwifery #barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth
Coffee Ceremony…Turned Birthing Ceremony!
Because of the ongoing rebel activities, it has been more than a year since Dr Browning was last able to visit Bahirdar. The staff at Vision Maternity Care Hospital put on a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony to celebrate and spend time together. They had to wait until the end of the day, as almost everyone was fasting for Lent or Ramadan.
However, the ceremony was interrupted, as the team was called to help in the labour ward. THREE women in labour delivered in quick succession! The team swung into action, everyone knowing their roles, and everything went extremely smoothly. Everyone shared in the mothers’ joy. A celebration indeed!
#maternity #midwives #midwifelife #barbaramayfoundation #australiancharity #coffeeceremony #womenshealth
Coffee Ceremony…Turned Birthing Ceremony!
Because of the ongoing rebel activities, it has been more than a year since Dr Browning was last able to visit Bahirdar. The staff at Vision Maternity Care Hospital put on a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony to celebrate and spend time together. They had to wait until the end of the day, as almost everyone was fasting for Lent or Ramadan.
However, the ceremony was interrupted, as the team was called to help in the labour ward. THREE women in labour delivered in quick succession! The team swung into action, everyone knowing their roles, and everything went extremely smoothly. Everyone shared in the mothers’ joy. A celebration indeed!
#maternity #midwives #midwifelife #barbaramayfoundation #australiancharity #coffeeceremony #womenshealth
Have you purchased your tickets yet? 👀
We`re so excited about the upcoming afternoon at the beautiful @desaliswines
FYI we have a limited number of tickets available... so if you`re thinking about coming, make sure you purchase your tickets soon to avoid disappointment!
Link in bio for more info!
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#charityevent #barbaramayfoundation #winensw #nswwine #orangensw #fistula #maternalhealth #womenshealth #birthstory #australiancharity
Have you purchased your tickets yet? 👀
We`re so excited about the upcoming afternoon at the beautiful @desaliswines
FYI we have a limited number of tickets available... so if you`re thinking about coming, make sure you purchase your tickets soon to avoid disappointment!
Link in bio for more info!
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.
.
#charityevent #barbaramayfoundation #winensw #nswwine #orangensw #fistula #maternalhealth #womenshealth #birthstory #australiancharity
Did you miss our latest newsletter?! Don`t worry - you can now read it online (link in our bio!).
#barbaramayfoundation #fistulatreatment #australiancharity #volunteersmakeadifference #upcomingevents #brisbane #orangensw
Did you miss our latest newsletter?! Don`t worry - you can now read it online (link in our bio!).
#barbaramayfoundation #fistulatreatment #australiancharity #volunteersmakeadifference #upcomingevents #brisbane #orangensw
Happy International Day of Happiness 🌞
There is nothing like the smile of a woman who has been given hope, healing and a restored future 🧡
#barbaramayfoundation #fistulaawareness #womenshealth #australiancharity #internationaldayofhappiness #maternalhealth #smile #happiness
Happy International Day of Happiness 🌞
There is nothing like the smile of a woman who has been given hope, healing and a restored future 🧡
#barbaramayfoundation #fistulaawareness #womenshealth #australiancharity #internationaldayofhappiness #maternalhealth #smile #happiness
Royal Memories! 👑
Did you know?! 10 years ago Queen Mary (at the time, Crown Princess of Denmark) visited the Afar region in Ethiopia and the Barbara May Maternity Hospital, as well as met with our very own ‘queen’ Maalika Valerie Browning AM.
Queen Mary’s trip helped raise awareness of the devastating practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) and the difficulty women and girls have giving birth as a result.
Photo credit: Colin Cosier, Sydney Morning Herald
#genderequality #womenshealth #fgm #barbaramayfoundation #flashback #queenmaryofdenmark #fistulaawareness
Royal Memories! 👑
Did you know?! 10 years ago Queen Mary (at the time, Crown Princess of Denmark) visited the Afar region in Ethiopia and the Barbara May Maternity Hospital, as well as met with our very own ‘queen’ Maalika Valerie Browning AM.
Queen Mary’s trip helped raise awareness of the devastating practice of female genital mutilation (FGM) and the difficulty women and girls have giving birth as a result.
Photo credit: Colin Cosier, Sydney Morning Herald
#genderequality #womenshealth #fgm #barbaramayfoundation #flashback #queenmaryofdenmark #fistulaawareness