
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
Video: Midwife Mussa Laizer, his story and progress
At the core of what we do is training of health professionals. Each year around 100 midwives are...
Interview: Valerie Browning on ABC Conversations with Sarah Kranowski
While she was in Australia in December, Valerie Browning was interviewed by Radio National...
The great work of Dr Anders Siem and Health Development International
A long-term friend of the Barbara May Foundation, Dr Anders Siem, has been doing great work around...
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Regina delivered her fifth child in her family home three months ago. Sadly she got into obstructed labour and after three days of labour she delivered a dead child. She sustained a fistula to her bladder, leaking uncontrollably, smelling and ashamed. Tragically, her husband then died of a sudden illness. Bereaved, Regina also deteriorated with infections. She was losing weight and had lost a lot of blood. Her father collected some money to take her to the next village to be seen by the witch doctor. Our outreach team was in the area and fortuitously met her on the way, assessed and treated her, reassuring her that she could be cured at our Kivulini maternity hospital in Arusha. Her father, seeing her get better on the treatment from our staff, called the hospital and transport was arranged. It took six weeks for her to get strong enough to be operated on. Dr Mbise treated her expertly this week and she is well on her way to recovery.
(picture of Regina, new ward, Dr Tesha and Dr Mbise on the right)
www.barbaramayfoundation.com.au
#savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #barbaramayfoundation #maternalhealth
Dr David McFarlane is a long-term volunteer with BMF. He recently spent a month in the Barbara May Maternity Hospital in the Afar desert giving Dr Omar a well-earned break, his first for close to three years.
Obstetric practice is difficult in such a remote region. Young Fatuma was on her third pregnancy - her last two deliveries tragically resulted in her babies being born dead after long obstructed labours. Now in labour for her third time it was clear that she was not going to be able to deliver normally and would need a Caesarean section. However, it took a long time to convince the family, but after some six hours of labour with no progress, and at risk of rupturing her uterus, they agreed, and a lovely health baby girl was delivered.
Learn more: www.barbaramayfoundation.com.au
#savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #barbaramayfoundation #maternalhealth
Dr David McFarlane is a long-term volunteer with BMF. He recently spent a month in the Barbara May Maternity Hospital in the Afar desert giving Dr Omar a well-earned break, his first for close to three years.
Obstetric practice is difficult in such a remote region. Young Fatuma was on her third pregnancy - her last two deliveries tragically resulted in her babies being born dead after long obstructed labours. Now in labour for her third time it was clear that she was not going to be able to deliver normally and would need a Caesarean section. However, it took a long time to convince the family, but after some six hours of labour with no progress, and at risk of rupturing her uterus, they agreed, and a lovely health baby girl was delivered.
Learn more: www.barbaramayfoundation.com.au
#savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #barbaramayfoundation #maternalhealth
Narok lives in a nomadic community on the South Sudan/Kenyan border. Eight-years-ago, while pregnant, she had to flee into Ethiopia to escape conflict. Alone in the bush, and after a three-day labour, Narok delivered a stillborn child and suffered severe birth-related injuries, sustaining fistula to her bladder and bowel. Weak, and in a critical condition, she found her way to a displaced peoples camp. Leaking urine and faeces Narok was later transferred to a hospital in Ethiopia. Sadly, they didn`t repair her bowel fistula and performed an operation called an ileal conduit, meaning that the urine was draining on the skin of her abdomen. Normally, special bags are fitted to ensure patients are kept dry. She was given a small supply of these bags and sent home. With the conflict settled, she was relieved to get home after a four year hiatus, but soon the bag supply ran out and not only was she leaking from her bowel, but also leaking urine from the opening onto her abdomen.
Narok was brought to our fistula camp in the Lutheran Hospital in Juba last year. We treated her bowel which is cured. Help was gained from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPA) in Sydney and a box full of the special bags sent to South Sudan. Narok now has plenty bags, is dry for the first in time in years and is now able to re-join her community (although she put on a stern face for the photo) with her freedom and dignity returned. Thanks RPA!
(Photos- prior to operation, DHL box arrived in Juba, Narok with some bags and new dress, Staff at RPA collecting urostomy bags)
www.barbaramayfoundation.com #savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #barbaramayfoundation #maternalhealth #RPA #ethiopia #southsudan #africa #fistularepair
Thank you Helen! A terrific article and Kirsty’s painting of Valerie has caught her beautiful essence so perfectly. We are so grateful that this painting and story will shine a light on the incredible work Valerie does every day for women in remote Ethiopia.
Article in bio link.
#savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #fistularepair #Ethiopia #africa
The Barbara May Foundation celebrates women from all over the world every day. We work with amazing women doctors and midwives, allied health workers, administrators and volunteers who quietly get on with their work diligently and professionally every day. Some, like Valerie Browning, work in incredibly difficult circumstances, constantly putting the needs of the women we care for in front of their own safety and comfort.
And every single day we are humbled at the incredible strength, resilience and calm our patients show as they face their own challenges in childbirth or dealing with birth-related injuries.
Today, on International Women’s Day, the world looks to the extraordinary role women play in the global landscape. We join in acknowledging this special day, and particularly want to say thank-you to our our team across Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan, Australia and beyond, and the women we serve in Africa who have trusted us to bring their babies into the world, or return their health and dignity through fistula surgery. www.barbaramayfoundation.com #internationalwomensday #savethemothersavetheworld #africa #safebirth #fistularepair #africa
Barbara May Foundation is delighted to share Mussa’s story. As one of our brightest midwives in Maternity Africa, Tanzania, Mussa has progressed from midwife trainee to midwife trainer.
Each year around 100 midwives are trained in clinical skills across our networks and training is ongoing for all of our staff.
To hear Mussa’s beautiful story link in bio
#midwives #savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #maternalhealth
Are you ready for an experience of a lifetime?
You can support and fundraise for the Barbara May Foundation while enjoying the unique experience of trekking through breathtaking Tanzania and climb Mt Kilimanjaro. This nine-day journey will take you on a spectacular journey to one of the world’s natural wonders. You will be introduced to cultures and landscapes that few have encountered before.
Why Mt Kilimanjaro 2024?
- You will help raise vital funds for the Barbara May Foundation and their life saving work in Africa
- Enjoy panoramic views on the summit of Uhuru Peak (5895m)
- Be mesmerised by the sunrise over the Kenyan plains at Gilman’s Point (5681m)
- Trek to Mawenzi Tarn (4330m) situated in a cirque beneath the spires of Mawenzi
- Journey to Second Cave (3450m) with superb views of Kibo
- Venture into the forest to catch a glimpse of the Kilimanjaro Colobus Monkeys
- Additional acclimatisation time on Rongai Route
Learn more with link in bio
Attention Melbourne! Save the Date - 5 May 2023 (7.00-9.00AM)!
Bookings opening soon for this celebration of the global midwifery community. The International Midwives Day Breakfast for the Barbara May Foundation will be held at the Kew RSL.
Stay tuned for more!
#midwifery #savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #barbaramayfoundation #maternalhealth
Listen now! Podcast interview with Valerie Browning on 20Twenty is available now on link below. Entitled “50 Years in 50 Degrees - Life with the Afar People in Ethiopia - Valerie Browning (Christian Nurse).”
20TWENTY is talk on radio focused on interviews, stories and insight covering life, culture and current events from a biblical perspective. you definitely won’t hear in the mainstream media. Host Neil Johson is an ordained Christian Minister of 25 years and is passionate about Christian media, Christian schools, and ‘connecting faith to life’ through serving God in his role at Vision.
Link in bio to hear the podcast.
#savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #barbaramayfoundation #maternalhealth #ethiopia #20twenty