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.
Experience the majestic snow-capped peak of Mt Kilimanjaro in 2024
Join us for the experience of a lifetime!Support and fundraise for the Barbara May Foundation while enjoying the unique experience of trekking through Africa. This nine-day journey will take you on a spectacular journey to one of the world’s natural wonders.
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
Event: Avoca Fundraiser with Dr Andrew Browning
In September, on a beautiful Spring day, a large group of 170 people from the Community and...
Success Story: Aisha
Aisha is being carried for two hours through the Afar desert in Ethiopia through 45-degree heat...
Sonic Healthcare Foundation, has committed to the funding of the 42 bed maternal hospital in northern Uganda
In some wonderful news, long-time supporter, the Sonic Healthcare Foundation, has committed to the...
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In September, on a beautiful Spring day, a large group of 170 people from the Community and from afar gathered together at Avoca Sunsets Bistro for the annual BMF Fundraiser.
This year, there was a vibrant African theme with African singers that helped create the backdrop for the life-saving work Andrew, other doctors, and midwives provide to ensure safe birth and fistula treatment for thousands of women.
After Andrew shared about the growing work and desperate need for good free health care in some of the poorest African countries and the vision of 10 hospitals in 10 years, people were deeply moved and gave generously.
So much so, we`re now able to fully support 100 women to have safe delivery in a hospital including pre and post-natal care. This will not only make a huge difference to the mother and child`s life but also to the whole community.
We are extremely thankful for the generosity shown on the day by those who came to the fundraiser, and we are also very thankful to the generous local businesses and people who donated towards the Live and Silent Auctions who helped make this event very memorable!
Donate securely on link in bio.
#barbaramayfoundation #fistula #fistularepairoperations #maternalhealth #safebirth
In September, on a beautiful Spring day, a large group of 170 people from the Community and from afar gathered together at Avoca Sunsets Bistro for the annual BMF Fundraiser.
This year, there was a vibrant African theme with African singers that helped create the backdrop for the life-saving work Andrew, other doctors, and midwives provide to ensure safe birth and fistula treatment for thousands of women.
After Andrew shared about the growing work and desperate need for good free health care in some of the poorest African countries and the vision of 10 hospitals in 10 years, people were deeply moved and gave generously.
So much so, we`re now able to fully support 100 women to have safe delivery in a hospital including pre and post-natal care. This will not only make a huge difference to the mother and child`s life but also to the whole community.
We are extremely thankful for the generosity shown on the day by those who came to the fundraiser, and we are also very thankful to the generous local businesses and people who donated towards the Live and Silent Auctions who helped make this event very memorable!
Donate securely on link in bio.
#barbaramayfoundation #fistula #fistularepairoperations #maternalhealth #safebirth
Aisha is being carried for two hours through the Afar desert in Ethiopia through 45-degree heat and on a homemade stretcher. She had been in labour for two days and the men are trying to find some mobile phone reception to call our ambulance. The ambulance is another four hours away. No wonder so many women are still dying in labour.
Hear Aisha’s full story by clicking link in our bio.
$200 is all it takes to provide five clinic visits and a safe hospital delivery in one of our hospitals. You can help women like Aisha by donating to BMF. To donate securely see link in our bio.
#barbaramayfoundation #fistula #fistularepairoperations #maternalhealth #safebirth
Aisha is being carried for two hours through the Afar desert in Ethiopia through 45-degree heat and on a homemade stretcher. She had been in labour for two days and the men are trying to find some mobile phone reception to call our ambulance. The ambulance is another four hours away. No wonder so many women are still dying in labour.
Hear Aisha’s full story by clicking link in our bio.
$200 is all it takes to provide five clinic visits and a safe hospital delivery in one of our hospitals. You can help women like Aisha by donating to BMF. To donate securely see link in our bio.
#barbaramayfoundation #fistula #fistularepairoperations #maternalhealth #safebirth
Meet Lucia. Lucia lives in Tanzania and is around 100 years old. Her story involves a prolonged labour lasting four days that resulted in the stillbirth of her second baby. This ordeal left Lucia with a fistula injury and subsequently confined her to her home. In addition, Lucia developed a condition that paralysed one side of her face and caused blindness in one eye. Unfortunately due to her condition, it was believed that Lucia was cursed, and therefore her only daughter was too afraid to spend much time with her. Life changed for Lucia after she was found by outreach workers from Maternity Africa, a BMF-supported hospital.
Find out how Maternity Africa/The Barbara May Foundation was able to help Lucia with the link in our bio.
#africa #fistulasurgery #Fistula #maternityafrica #barbaramayfoundation
Meet Lucia. Lucia lives in Tanzania and is around 100 years old. Her story involves a prolonged labour lasting four days that resulted in the stillbirth of her second baby. This ordeal left Lucia with a fistula injury and subsequently confined her to her home. In addition, Lucia developed a condition that paralysed one side of her face and caused blindness in one eye. Unfortunately due to her condition, it was believed that Lucia was cursed, and therefore her only daughter was too afraid to spend much time with her. Life changed for Lucia after she was found by outreach workers from Maternity Africa, a BMF-supported hospital.
Find out how Maternity Africa/The Barbara May Foundation was able to help Lucia with the link in our bio.
#africa #fistulasurgery #Fistula #maternityafrica #barbaramayfoundation
Barbara May Foundation has a partnership with Safewill, Australia’s leading online Will writing platform, that provides quality Wills at a competitive price. Safewill provides this service to many major charities and has made it easier and more affordable for the 70% of Australian adults who don’t have a valid Will to protect the people and organisations that mean the most to them.
Securing bequests plays an important part in all charities fundraising strategies, so the Foundation is pleased to partner with this trustworthy and professional group who can help us grow our fundraising and engagement in this area.
Every Will submitted is reviewed by their affiliate law firm, Safewill Legal, to ensure they have been filled out correctly, and their lovely Customer Care team will also be available to answer any queries. If you would like to investigate the Safewill option, you can do so by clicking on link in our bio.
#savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #barbaramayfoundation #maternalhealth #africa #maternityafrica #safewill
Barbara May Foundation has a partnership with Safewill, Australia’s leading online Will writing platform, that provides quality Wills at a competitive price. Safewill provides this service to many major charities and has made it easier and more affordable for the 70% of Australian adults who don’t have a valid Will to protect the people and organisations that mean the most to them.
Securing bequests plays an important part in all charities fundraising strategies, so the Foundation is pleased to partner with this trustworthy and professional group who can help us grow our fundraising and engagement in this area.
Every Will submitted is reviewed by their affiliate law firm, Safewill Legal, to ensure they have been filled out correctly, and their lovely Customer Care team will also be available to answer any queries. If you would like to investigate the Safewill option, you can do so by clicking on link in our bio.
#savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #barbaramayfoundation #maternalhealth #africa #maternityafrica #safewill
TICKETS STILL AVAILALBLE!
Dr Andrew Browning invites you to come and hear how you can help support BMF`s vision to train Doctors and Midwives to make birthing safer across many countries in Eastern Africa.
Andrew is looking forward to sharing updates from his recent times in various countries including progress with BMF`s new ventures improving maternity care and building new hospitals.
The event will have an African theme and we`re delighted to also have entertainment from a Zimbabwean singing group.
It`ll be a wonderful afternoon so really hope you can make it!
When: 17th September
12:30 -4:30 pm
Tickets: $60 includes welcome drink, two-course meal & tea/coffee
Where: Sunsets Bistro (Avoca SLSC - Central Coast)
Booking: link in bio
TICKETS STILL AVAILALBLE!
Dr Andrew Browning invites you to come and hear how you can help support BMF`s vision to train Doctors and Midwives to make birthing safer across many countries in Eastern Africa.
Andrew is looking forward to sharing updates from his recent times in various countries including progress with BMF`s new ventures improving maternity care and building new hospitals.
The event will have an African theme and we`re delighted to also have entertainment from a Zimbabwean singing group.
It`ll be a wonderful afternoon so really hope you can make it!
When: 17th September
12:30 -4:30 pm
Tickets: $60 includes welcome drink, two-course meal & tea/coffee
Where: Sunsets Bistro (Avoca SLSC - Central Coast)
Booking: link in bio
In some wonderful news, long-time supporter, the Sonic Healthcare Foundation, has committed to the funding of the 42-bed maternal hospital - Sonic Healthcare Foundation – Kworo Hospital in northern Uganda. The partnership is between the Barbara May and Te-Kworo Foundations and the new hospital, designed pro bono by Australian architects NBRS, will have an impact on the tragic number of maternal deaths in northern Uganda each year. Annually 6,000 women die in childbirth and 175 newborn babies die every day in northern Uganda. We are indebted to the Sonic Healthcare Foundation for its support of this hospital which will hopefully open in 2025. We are also very appreciative of loyal donors who have already made a substantial contribution to this vital hospital. The BMF vision is to have 10 hospitals operating in Africa in 10 years. With Sonic`s partnership in Uganda, we will have five maternity hospitals in the BMF group, but we have a long way to go and we are grateful for your continued support.
Donate securely on link in the bio
@SonicHealthcare #TeKworo #barbaramayfoundation #fistula #fistularepairoperations #africa #uganda
In some wonderful news, long-time supporter, the Sonic Healthcare Foundation, has committed to the funding of the 42-bed maternal hospital - Sonic Healthcare Foundation – Kworo Hospital in northern Uganda. The partnership is between the Barbara May and Te-Kworo Foundations and the new hospital, designed pro bono by Australian architects NBRS, will have an impact on the tragic number of maternal deaths in northern Uganda each year. Annually 6,000 women die in childbirth and 175 newborn babies die every day in northern Uganda. We are indebted to the Sonic Healthcare Foundation for its support of this hospital which will hopefully open in 2025. We are also very appreciative of loyal donors who have already made a substantial contribution to this vital hospital. The BMF vision is to have 10 hospitals operating in Africa in 10 years. With Sonic`s partnership in Uganda, we will have five maternity hospitals in the BMF group, but we have a long way to go and we are grateful for your continued support.
Donate securely on link in the bio
@SonicHealthcare #TeKworo #barbaramayfoundation #fistula #fistularepairoperations #africa #uganda
Meet Nyantiona who delivered her first child in the villages of western South Sudan 35 years ago. After a two-day labour, she delivered a dead child and sustained a fistula.
Her husband gathered as much money as he could and took her to a hospital for treatment, but unfortunately, the doctor there didn’t know how to operate on a fistula which made her condition worse.
Learn how the Barbara May Foundation was able to help on the link in the bio.
#barbaramayfoundation #fistula #fistulasurgery #fistulatreatment #africa #sudan
Meet Nyantiona who delivered her first child in the villages of western South Sudan 35 years ago. After a two-day labour, she delivered a dead child and sustained a fistula.
Her husband gathered as much money as he could and took her to a hospital for treatment, but unfortunately, the doctor there didn’t know how to operate on a fistula which made her condition worse.
Learn how the Barbara May Foundation was able to help on the link in the bio.
#barbaramayfoundation #fistula #fistulasurgery #fistulatreatment #africa #sudan
Take some time to view this recent podcast - "Dr Andrew Browning in Conversation with John Anderson."
John Anderson sits down with Dr. Andrew Browning to delve into Andrew’s experiences in Africa plus broader issues such as the nature of charity, the hidden cost of affluence, and the role of Christ as a source of motivation.
Click the link in the bio for the full story and link to the podcast.
#barbaramayfoundation #africa #Fistula #fistulasurgery
Take some time to view this recent podcast - "Dr Andrew Browning in Conversation with John Anderson."
John Anderson sits down with Dr. Andrew Browning to delve into Andrew’s experiences in Africa plus broader issues such as the nature of charity, the hidden cost of affluence, and the role of Christ as a source of motivation.
Click the link in the bio for the full story and link to the podcast.
#barbaramayfoundation #africa #Fistula #fistulasurgery
Join Anglican Aid over one stimulating day as they re-examine the evangelical`s relationship with "social justice". Drawing from lived experiences, academic study, and Biblical examples, this event will challenge you to consider Jesus’ message to Christians regarding the poor.
Anglican Aid presents: Social Justice Reframed
Date: Saturday 16 September 2023
Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Location: Moore Theological College - 1 King St, Newtown
Registration: $35
Groups of 5: $20 per person
Students: $15
For more information and to book: link in bio
#barbaramayfoundation #Anglicanaid #anglicanaidau #socialjustice
Join Anglican Aid over one stimulating day as they re-examine the evangelical`s relationship with "social justice". Drawing from lived experiences, academic study, and Biblical examples, this event will challenge you to consider Jesus’ message to Christians regarding the poor.
Anglican Aid presents: Social Justice Reframed
Date: Saturday 16 September 2023
Time: 9.00am - 3.00pm
Location: Moore Theological College - 1 King St, Newtown
Registration: $35
Groups of 5: $20 per person
Students: $15
For more information and to book: link in bio
#barbaramayfoundation #Anglicanaid #anglicanaidau #socialjustice
Disturbed by the world`s inequality, Valerie Browning says, "This isn`t right; something has gone wrong here. The injustice I witness still fuels my determination today... It`s unsettling to think that, as humans, the world doesn`t treat us all equally."
Valerie acknowledges her extraordinary journey, stating, "I view it as an incredible privilege. For all these years, I have been cared for and respected in a society that isn`t my own."
And here`s an open invitation from Valerie herself:
"I would warmly welcome anyone to come and visit... to come and see what we`ve achieved."
Join the Barbara May Foundation in their mission to provide professional maternal care for free for underprivileged women in remote and regional Africa.
Let`s change lives together! Click here to donate securely.: https://bit.ly/3kcYjQn
All donations of more than $2 are fully tax deductible.
#SavethemotherSavetheworld #healthcare #socialjustice #donate #maternitycare #ethiopia #tanzania #uganda #southsudan #savebirth #fistulasurgery
Disturbed by the world`s inequality, Valerie Browning says, "This isn`t right; something has gone wrong here. The injustice I witness still fuels my determination today... It`s unsettling to think that, as humans, the world doesn`t treat us all equally."
Valerie acknowledges her extraordinary journey, stating, "I view it as an incredible privilege. For all these years, I have been cared for and respected in a society that isn`t my own."
And here`s an open invitation from Valerie herself:
"I would warmly welcome anyone to come and visit... to come and see what we`ve achieved."
Join the Barbara May Foundation in their mission to provide professional maternal care for free for underprivileged women in remote and regional Africa.
Let`s change lives together! Click here to donate securely.: https://bit.ly/3kcYjQn
All donations of more than $2 are fully tax deductible.
#SavethemotherSavetheworld #healthcare #socialjustice #donate #maternitycare #ethiopia #tanzania #uganda #southsudan #savebirth #fistulasurgery
Dr. Andrew Browning and Valerie Browning continue their dedicated work to construct and operate outstanding maternity and fistula hospitals in Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda
Valerie quoted her mother, Barbara May, by saying, “We Brownings do not appreciate that mothers die in childbirth…this family has to do something about it”.
You can help, by helping fund one of the three capital projects to help build these specialised facilities with professional medical care and supervision.
Let`s change lives together! Link in bio to donate securely.
All donations more than $2 are fully tax deductible.
#savethemothersavetheworld #barbaramayfoundation #safebirth #fistula #fistularepair #maternalhealth #uganda #africa #ethiopia #tanzania
Dr. Andrew Browning and Valerie Browning continue their dedicated work to construct and operate outstanding maternity and fistula hospitals in Tanzania, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda
Valerie quoted her mother, Barbara May, by saying, “We Brownings do not appreciate that mothers die in childbirth…this family has to do something about it”.
You can help, by helping fund one of the three capital projects to help build these specialised facilities with professional medical care and supervision.
Let`s change lives together! Link in bio to donate securely.
All donations more than $2 are fully tax deductible.
#savethemothersavetheworld #barbaramayfoundation #safebirth #fistula #fistularepair #maternalhealth #uganda #africa #ethiopia #tanzania
The Barbara May Foundation was founded by Valerie Browning AM (Barbara May’s daughter) and her nephew Dr Andrew Browning, to honour Barbara May (pictured) and to honour the values she instilled in her large family.
She was a great supporter of Valerie and Andrew’s work.
Learn more about Barbara May and see the incredible work that the Foundation is doing in remote and regional Africa for disadvantaged women by providing safe birth and fistula treatment here at www.barbaramayfoundation.com
#safebirth #fistulasurgery #savethemothersavetheworld #africa
The Barbara May Foundation was founded by Valerie Browning AM (Barbara May’s daughter) and her nephew Dr Andrew Browning, to honour Barbara May (pictured) and to honour the values she instilled in her large family.
She was a great supporter of Valerie and Andrew’s work.
Learn more about Barbara May and see the incredible work that the Foundation is doing in remote and regional Africa for disadvantaged women by providing safe birth and fistula treatment here at www.barbaramayfoundation.com
#safebirth #fistulasurgery #savethemothersavetheworld #africa