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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
We’re Hiring!
We’re looking for a Database and Donor Administration Manager!
Her Dignity Fund Launch
Together we are making a difference to ensure more women will be able to give birth safely. Thanks...
Halim’s Story
Halim is around 22 years old and she’s spent her life living in a nomadic village, in the Afar...
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Another load of supplies from our generous community…
Fun fact: These supplies were bought locally with the expertise of hospital staff in Tanzania, to support the local economy. These amazing supporters have a real heart for the women – often from very poor or very difficult backgrounds – who visit Kivulini Maternity Centre.
Thank you Noela (and her supporters from Rotary Club of Brisbane High-Rise !) who have once again shown their compassion and commitment to helping women and babies in East Africa.
#barbaramayfoundation #bethechange #RotaryClub #australiancharity #womenshealth #maternity #maternalhealth @maternityafrica
We’re looking for a part-time Database and Donor Administration Manager. This is a rare opportunity to join our small but mighty team, supporting the incredible mission and work of the Barbara May Foundation 🥰
Details on our website (link in bio)
Thank you to everyone who donated.
We are overwhelmed by your generosity and compassion. Your donations are going to make a very real difference for more women like Paulina 🧡🙏
We can’t wait to share more stories of your gift`s impact in the coming months.
#barbaramayfoundation #endfistula #maternalhealth #australiancharity #midwifelife #obstetrics #womenshealth #maternitycare #birthstory
There are over a million women living with a fistula in Africa. Now, there is one less.
It might not seem like much, but to Paulina, it’s everything 🧡
There`s still time to help us make a difference for another 260 women!
Donate before 30 June: https://barbaramayfoundation.com/her-dignity-fund (link in bio)
#barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth #australiancharity #maternitycare #FistulaAwareness #EndFistula #fistulatreatment #fistulafoundation #maternalmentalhealth #MaternalHealthMatters #safebirth #birthinjury #birthstory #maternalhealth #midwives #midwifery #obstetrician
There are over a million women estimated to be living with a fistula in Africa BUT NOW there is one less 🧡
It might not seem like much, but to Paulina and her family, it`s everything.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to help more women like Paulina. Together we ARE making a difference.
#barbaramayfoundation #australiancharity #womenshealth #maternitycare #fistulatreatment #fistulafoundation #maternalmentalhealth #bethechange #bethechangeyouwanttosee #makeadifferencetoday #changetheworld #charity
Behind every statistic is a real person.
Hear Paulina’s story in her own words - link in our bio
#barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth #australiancharity #maternitycare #FistulaAwareness #EndFistula #fistulatreatment #africanwomen #fistulafoundation #maternalmentalhealth #MaternalHealthMatters #safebirth #birthinjury
When people talk about obstetric fistulas, we often focus on the devastating impacts it has on women’s lives. But something else to remember is that almost always these women are ALSO grieving the loss of their babies.
Watch Paulina`s full story: Link in bio - Paulina`s Story
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#barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth #australiancharity #maternitycare #FistulaAwareness #EndFistula #fistulatreatment #FistulaCare #africanwomen #fistulafoundation #maternalmentalhealth #MaternalHealthMatters #safebirth #birthinjury #maternalhealth #midwives #midwifery #obstetrician
Video: @justinmclean
Fistulas don’t just affect women, they affect families.
Paulina and her family farmed their own vegetables, and Paulina had her own business as a seamstress. However, when she was no longer able to work, due to grief and having a fistula, her husband had to travel far away to try to earn more money.
Hear Paulina`s story today: Link in bio - Paulina`s Story
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#barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth #australiancharity #maternitycare #FistulaAwareness #EndFistula #fistulatreatment #FistulaCare #africanwomen #fistulafoundation #maternalmentalhealth #MaternalHealthMatters #safebirth #birthinjury
Photography: @justinmclean
Many women sustain injuries during childbirth, even in Australia. Do you ever wonder what it would be like if we didn`t have hospitals and health services to help with surgeries and recovery?
During Paulina`s third pregnancy, she had an obstructed labour and wasn’t able to have a Caesarean section.
Here’s her birth story: Link in bio - Paulina`s Story
#barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth #australiancharity #maternitycare #FistulaAwareness #EndFistula #fistulatreatment #FistulaCare #africanwomen #fistulafoundation #maternalmentalhealth #MaternalHealthMatters #maternalhealth #midwives #midwifery #obstetrician
Video: @justinmclean
What would you do if the hospital told you that leaking urine constantly after giving birth was “normal”? What if it didn’t heal after a few days?
Hear Paulina`s full story (link in bio - Paulina`s Story)
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#barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth #australiancharity #maternitycare #FistulaAwareness #EndFistula #fistulatreatment #FistulaCare #africanwomen #fistulafoundation #maternalmentalhealth #MaternalHealthMatters #maternalhealth #birthstory #postpartum
Video: @justinmclean
New podcast! Listen in to this inspiring and insightful conversation between Dr Andrew Browning AM and Clayton from Towards Understanding.
Let us know in the comments below what stood out to you from the interview, or if you have a question you`d love to ask Dr Andrew Browning!
Link in bio!
#fistula #barbaramayfoundation #podcast #MaternityCare #doctorlife #missionarylife #obstetrics
@899thelight
After a very long, painful labour, Paulina went to the local hospital near her village. However, they refused to allow her baby to be delivered by caesarean section.
This is why it’s so important to provide quality training to local midwives and ensure maternity hospitals are fully equipped.
Paulina shares her story here: (link in bio) https://barbaramayfoundation.com/her-dignity-fund
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#barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth #australiancharity #maternitycare #FistulaAwareness #EndFistula #fistulatreatment #FistulaCare #africanwomen #fistulafoundation #maternalmentalhealth #MaternalHealthMatters #maternalhealth
#birthstory #postpartum
Film: @justinmclean