While she was in Australia in December, Valerie Browning was interviewed by Radio National presenter Sarah Kranowski in a piece entitled - How Aunty Val became the 'Afar Angel’. The interview covered Valerie’s work over more than 30 years to improve health outcomes and education for the nomadic communities in the Afar region of Ethiopia, considered one of the most challenging places in the world, made tougher in the past few years due to rolling natural disasters and civil war. Valerie and her teams help thousands of families every year – all for free, with the hospital in Mille and the maternal outreach program fully funded by the Foundation.
To listen now: link in bio
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While Valerie Browning was in Australia in December, she sat for celebrated portrait artist Kirsty Neilson at her studio on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Kirsty will be submitting the work for the 2023 Archibald Prize. We are so thrilled and thankful Kirsty has chosen to celebrate our wonderful Valerie who has spent her life in selfless service to the women and the people of the Afar Region in Ethiopia. Looking forward to seeing the final work and sharing it with our wonderful supporters!
www.barabaramayfoundation.com

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A long-term friend of the Barbara May Foundation, Dr Anders Siem, has been doing great work around the world, first by eradicating Guinea worm and then turning his attention to eradicating obstetric fistula and maternal deaths.
The results of his last six years work in Niger have recently been published in the LANCET. The results on deaths from bleeding after the delivery of a baby are outstanding - nearly 1,500 women were saved from death in six years and thousands were prevented from losing abnormally high levels of blood. Congratulations to Dr Siem and the team at Health Development International.
Link in bio for full article.
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On Wednesday, Brisbane supporters and members of the local Ethiopian Afar community joined Foundation volunteers and Directors at Arhibu, an authentic Ethiopian restaurant in Moorooka, to hear from Foundation founder, Valerie Browning AM who is currently visiting from Northern Ethiopia where, with her Afar husband, she runs the Afar Pastoral Development Association (APDA) and the Barbara May Maternity Hospital in Mille.
Guests learned first-hand of the extremely challenging times Valerie and her teams have been experiencing with the region plagued by natural disaster and civil war. Many thousands of the Afar community, caught in the middle of the conflict, have been driven from their villages and are living in displaced persons camps where food and medical assistance is scarce. Valerie has long been a champion to this nomadic tribe who live as pastoralists in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. Valerie is known as Maalika by the Afar - it means Queen.
The Foundation built and funds the running of the hospital and has been funding food and medical support for pregnant and lactating women and their young families during the conflicts. We are deeply grateful for all you do Valerie! www.barbaramayfoundation.com #savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #ethiopia #africa ...

The sight of the majestic snow-capped peak of Mt Kilimanjaro (5895m), fondly known as Kili, provides a source of inspiration when viewed from the vast plains as you begin your trek. While the ascent does not require technical climbing, the trails are demanding and a sound level of fitness and an ability to acclimatise are essential prerequisites before attempting the summit. The Rongai Route begins in verdant farmland and cooling, dense forest, with the opportunity for viewing colobus monkeys and rich birdlife. This is an unspoilt wilderness and offers a privileged view of a world rarely seen today. From the alluring summit of Uhuru Peak (5895m), you will have breathtaking views of the surrounding plains. Campsites are well catered for and the food, prepared freshly each day from local produce, is fantastic.

Places are very limited so register your interest now by contacting HUMA CHARITY CHALLENGE: megan@humacharitychallenge.com.au

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Such a lovely day in Sydney with the Board of the Barbara May Foundation and some of our great friends and supporters including Valerie Browning who is visiting Australia from Northern Ethiopia for the first time in four years.

Wishing all our wonderful supporters a Happy Christmas and a safe and blessed New Year.

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As a young woman Prof Esther Mwaikambo became Tanzania's first female doctor, battling prejudices and obstacles, she was sponsored to go to Russia and became a doctor. Returning to work in Tanzania her hard work and dedication became obvious, having opportunities for further study abroad, including Harvard University in the US. She specialised as a paediatrician and was elevated to professor, teaching many of Tanzania's next generation of doctors. Prof Esther sits on many boards of hospitals and universities and is one of Maternity Africa's first board members in Tanzania. Her biography has just been released 'The Tanzanian Woman of Many Firsts'. Congratulations and thank you for all that you do for Maternity Africa (A BMF-funded project).

#savethemothersavetheworld #safebirth #barbaramayfoundation #maternalhealth #africa #maternityafrica #fistularepair ...