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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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
You’re invited to a special afternoon with Dr Andrew Browning AM and the Barbara May Foundation in Orange, NSW 🤩
It`s going to be an insightful and memorable afternoon at a beautiful winery! We hope you can make it!
Please tag or send this to a friend if you`re near Orange... or wouldn`t mind a weekend away 🍂🧡
LINK IN BIO
#orangensw #nswwine #wineryevent #barbaramayfoundation #australiancharity #WomensHealth #fundraisingevent
You’re invited to a special afternoon with Dr Andrew Browning AM and the Barbara May Foundation in Orange, NSW 🤩
It`s going to be an insightful and memorable afternoon at a beautiful winery! We hope you can make it!
Please tag or send this to a friend if you`re near Orange... or wouldn`t mind a weekend away 🍂🧡
LINK IN BIO
#orangensw #nswwine #wineryevent #barbaramayfoundation #australiancharity #WomensHealth #fundraisingevent
“It brings me great joy to see a woman who, having sustained a fistula during delivery, and who has been stigmatised by her family, and fallen into depression, regains her smile and the hope of returning to a normal life.” - Dr Doreen David Moshi, Interim Director of Kivulini Maternity Centre
Dr Doreen is one of the exceptional women we`d love to honour this International Women’s Day. She is currently the Interim Director of Kivulini Maternity Centre in Tanzania.
We are so grateful for ALL the dedicated and outstanding women who work and volunteer with us, both in Australia and on the ground across East Africa. We are united by our mission to ensure women in Africa can give birth safely.
The theme for International Women’s Day this year is Accelerate Action. None of the work we do is possible without the support of our donors, so this International Women’s Day we want to thank YOU, for taking REAL action 🥰
#shegives #iwd2025 #accelerateaction #maternityafrica #barbaramayfoundation #womeninleadership #womenshealth
@maternityafrica
“It brings me great joy to see a woman who, having sustained a fistula during delivery, and who has been stigmatised by her family, and fallen into depression, regains her smile and the hope of returning to a normal life.” - Dr Doreen David Moshi, Interim Director of Kivulini Maternity Centre
Dr Doreen is one of the exceptional women we`d love to honour this International Women’s Day. She is currently the Interim Director of Kivulini Maternity Centre in Tanzania.
We are so grateful for ALL the dedicated and outstanding women who work and volunteer with us, both in Australia and on the ground across East Africa. We are united by our mission to ensure women in Africa can give birth safely.
The theme for International Women’s Day this year is Accelerate Action. None of the work we do is possible without the support of our donors, so this International Women’s Day we want to thank YOU, for taking REAL action 🥰
#shegives #iwd2025 #accelerateaction #maternityafrica #barbaramayfoundation #womeninleadership #womenshealth
@maternityafrica
There are at least one million women living with existing untreated fistula injuries sustained because they could not reach help in time during labour.
Loretta was living with a devastating fistula for three years. Dr Browning was able to operate on Loretta on a trip late last year, and as a result, Loretta was fully cured and returned home to her community.
This International Women’s Day take action towards real change.
It costs approximately $600 to cover the costs of an obstetric fistula surgery which restores dignity and hope to a woman like Loretta. It only costs approximately $250 to pay for a safe delivery in hospital (including a caesarean section if required) plus all pre and post-natal checkups.
Inspiration is great, but inspiration with action is better.
Donate this International Women’s Day to have a profound impact for at least one woman in East Africa: (link in bio)
#iwd2025 #maternitycare #pregnancy #csection #accelerateaction #barbaramayfoundation
There are at least one million women living with existing untreated fistula injuries sustained because they could not reach help in time during labour.
Loretta was living with a devastating fistula for three years. Dr Browning was able to operate on Loretta on a trip late last year, and as a result, Loretta was fully cured and returned home to her community.
This International Women’s Day take action towards real change.
It costs approximately $600 to cover the costs of an obstetric fistula surgery which restores dignity and hope to a woman like Loretta. It only costs approximately $250 to pay for a safe delivery in hospital (including a caesarean section if required) plus all pre and post-natal checkups.
Inspiration is great, but inspiration with action is better.
Donate this International Women’s Day to have a profound impact for at least one woman in East Africa: (link in bio)
#iwd2025 #maternitycare #pregnancy #csection #accelerateaction #barbaramayfoundation
Happy International Women’s Day!
Today we honour the courageous women who have suffered with birthing injuries in rural and remote regions of Africa and come to our hospitals for treatment. Through education and safe maternal healthcare services, we can make a difference for some of the most vulnerable women and girls in the world.
Nymboi is a Maasai girl from northern Tanzania. After four days in obstructed labour, she sadly developed a fistula. Hear Nymboi’s story in Dr Browning AM’s own words.
Make sure you listen to the whole story – there is a surprise in this one, which tells the tale of two upbringings, and the difference education can make.
Here’s how you can help: Donate via our website (link in bio)
#healthcare #maternitycare #tanzania #girlseducation #barbaramayfoundation #iwd2025
Happy International Women’s Day!
Today we honour the courageous women who have suffered with birthing injuries in rural and remote regions of Africa and come to our hospitals for treatment. Through education and safe maternal healthcare services, we can make a difference for some of the most vulnerable women and girls in the world.
Nymboi is a Maasai girl from northern Tanzania. After four days in obstructed labour, she sadly developed a fistula. Hear Nymboi’s story in Dr Browning AM’s own words.
Make sure you listen to the whole story – there is a surprise in this one, which tells the tale of two upbringings, and the difference education can make.
Here’s how you can help: Donate via our website (link in bio)
#healthcare #maternitycare #tanzania #girlseducation #barbaramayfoundation #iwd2025
International Women’s Day is tomorrow…
To celebrate IWD, we will be sharing about the many incredible women involved with the Barbara May Foundation.
To kick it off, we’d love to honour Barbara May Browning herself🧡
Barbara May Browning was a humble, strong, caring woman who tried to make a difference in people’s lives in small ways every day. She instilled her strong, loving values into her large family, including her daughter Valerie Browning AM, sons Dr David Browning (Board Member at BMF), George Browning (founding member of BMF) and her grandson Dr Andrew Browning AM (Medical Director at BMF).
We are all grateful for the incredible legacy this humble, loving woman left with the world.
Read more about our mission and Barbara Browning on our website (link in bio).
#IWD2025 #barbaramayfoundation #legacy #australiancharity
International Women’s Day is tomorrow…
To celebrate IWD, we will be sharing about the many incredible women involved with the Barbara May Foundation.
To kick it off, we’d love to honour Barbara May Browning herself🧡
Barbara May Browning was a humble, strong, caring woman who tried to make a difference in people’s lives in small ways every day. She instilled her strong, loving values into her large family, including her daughter Valerie Browning AM, sons Dr David Browning (Board Member at BMF), George Browning (founding member of BMF) and her grandson Dr Andrew Browning AM (Medical Director at BMF).
We are all grateful for the incredible legacy this humble, loving woman left with the world.
Read more about our mission and Barbara Browning on our website (link in bio).
#IWD2025 #barbaramayfoundation #legacy #australiancharity
Over the weekend Dr Andrew Browning AM was in Melbourne, sharing the details of his obstetric work in Africa with fellow health and medical professionals!
At our core, we are working to provide real, practical, hands-on support to improve birthing conditions and support for women in Africa. We believe every woman deserves to give birth safely.
It was wonderful to share the evening with likeminded (and like-hearted) friends.
All proceeds from the evening will go towards our work of relieving the high incidence of death and fistula injuries in pregnancy and childbirth in East Africa.
Make sure you go to our website to sign up to our newsletter so you don’t miss our next event! https://barbaramayfoundation.com
#makeadifference #fundraiser #charityau #endfistula #maternalhealthcare #pregnancy #midwives #safebirth #barbaramayfoundation
Over the weekend Dr Andrew Browning AM was in Melbourne, sharing the details of his obstetric work in Africa with fellow health and medical professionals!
At our core, we are working to provide real, practical, hands-on support to improve birthing conditions and support for women in Africa. We believe every woman deserves to give birth safely.
It was wonderful to share the evening with likeminded (and like-hearted) friends.
All proceeds from the evening will go towards our work of relieving the high incidence of death and fistula injuries in pregnancy and childbirth in East Africa.
Make sure you go to our website to sign up to our newsletter so you don’t miss our next event! https://barbaramayfoundation.com
#makeadifference #fundraiser #charityau #endfistula #maternalhealthcare #pregnancy #midwives #safebirth #barbaramayfoundation