Providing lifesaving maternal healthcare in regional and remote Africa
Around the world, approximately 800 women die every day from birth-related injuries. 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. Running projects in regional and remote Africa (Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Sudan) that relieve the high incidence of death and extreme injury 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
Reconciliation Hospital, South Sudan
Dr Andrew Browning
Kivulini Hospital Maternity Africa (MA), Tanzania
Dr Andrew Browning
Latest News & Articles
Barbara May Foundation Annual Report 2021
Introduction from Michael Sharpe AO, Chairman The Foundation continues to fund quality maternity...
Anglican Aid partners with Barbara May Foundation to support safe birth and fistula treatment in Africa
The Archbishop of Sydney’s Anglican Aid (Anglican Aid), together with the Barbara May Foundation...
A Volunteer’s Journey by Prof. Jonathan Morris
Between May 2019 and December 2019 my wife and I had the privilege to work at Kivulini Maternity...
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“Miracle of Missay. A year and a half after she should have died from sustaining a double fistula and suffering medical complications, Missay was completely recovered; walking, seeing and continent. She made the two-day journey back from her home with her husband Biruk to present us with a gift.” Excerpt from A Doctor in Africa.
You can read the inspiring story on the evolution of the Foundation, which is funding programs that are changing lives in Africa, in Dr Andrew’s book - A Doctor in Africa. Available in bookstores, online or order it via the Foundation for $34.99 plus postage (about $10). Email info@barbaramayfoundation.com. All royalties go to the Foundation. #adoctorinafrica #barbaramayfoundation #fistularepair #africa #safebirth #savethemothersavetheworld
“The Kivulini (which is the Swahili word for shade) Maternity Centre in Arusha, Tanzania, shortly after opening in 2018. We are now helping around 250 women a month deliver for free as well as treating fistula patients from all over Tanzania and even Kenya. Many midwives are being trained there too.” Excerpt from A Doctor in Africa.
You can read the inspiring story on the evolution of the Foundation, which is funding programs that are changing lives in Africa, in Dr Andrew’s book - A Doctor in Africa. Available in bookstores, online or order it via the Foundation for $34.99 plus postage (about $10). Email info@barbaramayfoundation.com. All royalties go to the Foundation. #adoctorinafrica #barbaramayfoundation #fistularepair #africa #safebirth #savethemothersavetheworld
Ethiopian New Year, or Enkutatsh in Amharic, falls on September 11. It's one of the biggest celebrations in their calendar and the day is spent with family and friends eating together and enjoying their ancient and traditional coffee ceremony. Pictured here is the staff of the Vision Maternity Care Hospital in Barhir Dar celebrating Enkutatsh. Happy New Year to the wonderful staff, friends and family supported by BMF in Ethiopia.
#ethiopia #barbaramayfoundation #maternalhealth
Barbara May Foundation is excited to announce its partnership with Anglican Aid, in which Anglican Aid will assist in the funding of hospitals in Ethiopia and Tanzania providing free maternal healthcare, safe birth and treatment of women suffering with obstetric fistulas. The funding will also help to fund training midwives, doctors, and fistula surgeons in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania.
All services are provided free-of-charge regardless of race, religion or financial capacity with
more than 16,000 women assisted annually.
Learn more about this fantastic partnership and how it works in the link in our bio.
#savethemothersavetheworld #barbaramayfoundation #safebirth #fistula #fistularepairoperations #maternalhealth #anglicanaid
Katie Christie came from Sierra Leone to teach and train midwives in Tanzania. She never tired. She was also a walking blood bank, having the precious O negative blood group. Katie saved many lives, both with her skills as a midwife and with her blood.” Excerpt from A Doctor in Africa.
You can read the inspiring story on the evolution of the Foundation, which is funding programs that are changing lives in Africa, in Dr Andrew’s book - A Doctor in Africa. Available in bookstores, online or order it via the Foundation for $34.99 plus postage (about $10). Email info@barbaramayfoundation.com. All royalties go to the Foundation. #adoctorinafrica #barbaramayfoundation #fistularepair #africa #safebirth #savethemothersavetheworld
Why maternal health in Africa? The proof is in the shocking statistics. Almost all maternal deaths (99%) occur in developing countries. About 800 women die from pregnancy, or childbirth-related complications, around the world every day. More than half of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa because disadvantaged women do not have access to maternal health support and services. link in bio
#savethemothersavetheworld #barbaramayfoundation #safebirth #fistula #fistularepairoperations #maternalhealth
It's Not Too Late! Book now to join Dr Andrew Browning for Dinner and Conversation about his work, and that of his aunt, Valerie Browning AM.
Thursday 23 September 6.30pm Brisbane.
Book now on link in our bio.
We will also be celebrating Andrew’s new book, A Doctor in Africa. We will have copies on hand to purchase and you can have them personally signed by Andrew. There will also be a terrific Silent Auction with some unique items on which to bid to help us in our fundraising. Places are limited so please book your seat today! We look forward to seeing you soon.
#savethemothersavetheworld #barbaramayfoundation #safebirth #fistula #fistularepairoperations #maternalhealth
“Aunt Val in Afar in 2020; still working in the desert, staying with her beloved Afar through war, famine, locusts, drought, pandemics; bringing education, health, aid and development to 1.5 million people. No wonder they call her Maalika – ‘Queen.’” Excerpt from A Doctor in Africa.
You can read the inspiring story on the evolution of the Foundation, which is funding programs that are changing lives in Africa, in Dr Andrew’s book - A Doctor in Africa. Available in bookstores, online, or order it via the Foundation for $34.99 plus postage (about $10). See link in bio or email info@barbaramayfoundation.com. All royalties go to the Foundation. #adoctorinafrica #barbaramayfoundation #safebirth #fistularepair #africa #savethemothersavetheworld
My Sister's Baby. My Sister’s Baby supports the work of the Barbara May Foundation to provide women in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and South Sudan receive free, safe, and professional medical care during their pregnancy and birth.
Every year more than 300,000 women worldwide die from pregnancy and childbirth-related conditions, almost all in lower- and middle-income countries. Mostly they die of preventable conditions like obstructed labour, bleeding, or infection. They die alone at home because they have no access to hospitals or trained health workers.
You can help make a real difference to one woman's pregnancy experience link in bio
#mysistersbaby #barbaramayfoundation #savethemothersavetheworld
“The Australian ambassador to Ethiopia, Mark Sawers, opened our new maternity hospital in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, in 2017. He is pictured here with our midwives, who are dressed beautifully in their national costume.” Excerpt from A Doctor in Africa.
You can read the inspiring story on the evolution of the Foundation, which is funding programs that are changing lives in Africa, in Dr Andrew’s book - A Doctor in Africa. Available in bookstores, online or order it via the Foundation for $34.99 plus postage (about $10). Email info@barbaramayfoundation.com. All royalties go to the Foundation. #adoctorinafrica #barbaramayfoundation #fistularepair #africa #safebirth #savethemothersavetheworld
“Agnes had a fistula for 20 years and had delivered four stillborn children. We then treated her, she was cured, remarried, became pregnant and returned to us. We delivered her first live baby that she named Anna after Anna McKee, our nurse administrator.” Excerpt from A Doctor in Africa.
You can read the inspiring story on the evolution of the Foundation, which is funding programs that are changing lives in Africa, in Dr Andrew’s book - A Doctor in Africa. Available in bookstores, online or order it via the Foundation for $34.99 plus postage (about $10). Email info@barbaramayfoundation.com. All royalties go to the Foundation. #adoctorinafrica #barbaramayfoundation #fistularepair #africa #safebirth #savethemothersavetheworld
680 women from the sub Sahara die EVERY DAY from PREVENTABLE causes related to pregnancy. As a comparison - 30 women per year die in Australia with pregnancy-related preventable causes.
This doesn't have to be the case. You can help through the Barbara May Foundation. Find out how your donation is used at barbaramayfoundation.com
#savethemothersavetheworld #barbaramayfoundation #fistula #fistularepairoperations #africa #safebirth
“The matriarch of our family, Barbara May Browning, with one of her many great grandchildren, Josephine.” The Barbara May Foundation is named for Andrew's grandmother who believed that no woman in the modern world should die in childbirth.
You can read the inspiring story on the evolution of the Foundation, which is funding programs that are changing lives in Africa, in the autobiography - A Doctor in Africa. Available in bookstores or o it via the Foundation for $34.99 plus postage (about $10). Email info@barbaramayfoundation.com. Best part is that all of the royalties go to the Foundation. #adoctorinafrica #barbaramayfoundation #fistula #fistularepair
Join Dr Andrew Browning for Dinner and Conversation about his work, and that of his aunt, Valerie Browning AM.
Thursday 23 September 6.30pm Brisbane.
Book Now on link in bio.
We will also be celebrating Andrew’s new book, A Doctor in Africa. We will have copies on hand to purchase and you can have them personally signed by Andrew. There will also be a terrific Silent Auction with some unique items on which to bid to help us in our fundraising. Places are limited so please book your seat today! We look forward to seeing you soon.
Double your donation power! A wonderful friend of the Foundation and champion of safe birth in Africa has offered to match all donations to the Foundation beginning now until 30 September, 2021 to the value of $15,000*. With your help we can bring more hope and dignity to the underprivileged women of sub-Saharan Africa who have no little or access to critical maternal healthcare. Raising $30,000* with the Safe Birth Matching Grant will fund 100 safe births or 50 fistula repair operations. Your gift today will double the life-changing difference. Visit www.barbaramayfoundation.com and click "how can I help."
#savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #fistularepair #matchinggrant #doublethejoy #africa #barbaramayfoundation
*Update: What a great response! Target almost reached - now aiming for $15,000.