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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.

Latest News & Articles

Halim’s Story

Halim’s Story

Halim is around 22 years old and she’s spent her life living in a nomadic village, in the Afar...

read more

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Meet Paulina, a local seamstress, beloved mother and wife, and obstetric fistula patient. 

She has courageously shared her story. 
Watch it here: see link in bio (Paulina's Story) 
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#barbaramayfoundation #womenshealth #australiancharity #maternitycare #FistulaAwareness #EndFistula #fistulatreatment #FistulaCare #africanwomen #fistulafoundation #maternalmentalhealth #MaternalHealthMatters #maternalhealth
Photography: @justinmclean

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Listen in! Dr Andrew Browning AM recently caught up with Clayton from Towards Understanding. This interview will be aired tonight at 7pm, on 89.9 The Light. You can listen to the station’s livestream here: https://thelight.com.au/

P.S Don’t worry if you miss it, we’ll be sharing the podcast recording for you when it becomes available!

#barbaramayfoundation #PodcastInterview #womenshealth #australiancharity #ChristianRadio #missionary #MaternityCare 
@899thelight

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