Help Restore Her Dignity
You can help make a life-changing impact for young women like Ester.
Find out more below!
Meet Ester
At just 15-years-old, Ester was humiliated daily because of the smell of urine, from a fistula she sustained trying to give birth.
We met Ester at Kivulini Maternity Centre, where she was waiting to be treated for her fistula injury.
Ester courageously shared her story so you could know what life is like for young women in Africa, and to help others who are suffering.
*Ester’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.
If you are having trouble viewing this video, watch it on Youtube
Preparing for surgery
Staff help Ester feel at ease
Ester during her fistula treatment
Making sure Ester feels ok as surgery begins
Dr Andrew Browning in theatre
Moving Ester to the ward after surgery
Reading her bible and laughing with other patients
Ester loved learning to sew during her time at hospital
Healing and community go hand in hand
Ester with friends at Kivulini Maternity Centre
Preparing for surgery
Staff help Ester feel at ease
Ester during her fistula treatment
Making sure Ester feels ok as surgery begins
Dr Andrew Browning in theatre
Moving Ester to the ward after surgery
Reading her bible and laughing with other patients
Ester loved learning to sew during her time at hospital
Healing and community go hand in hand
Ester with friends at Kivulini Maternity Centre
Compassionate care is more than just an operation.
It restores a woman’s dignity too.
Help Us Raise $118,000 by the end of June to help 300 more women
This will allow 200 vulnerable and at-risk women to give birth safely in a maternity hospital, including pre and post-natal checkups and a caesarean section if required, to save their babies and prevent new fistula injuries.
Plus it’ll allow us to find 100 women like Ester who have been living in shame and hopelessness, ensure they receive compassionate care and, of course, operations by a specially trained fistula surgeon to heal their injuries and restore their dignity.
Days Left to Reach Fundraising Goal
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- Funds Raised: 22%
(Every dollar over and above this goal will go towards Her Dignity Fund, enabling more safe births, training healthcare professionals, equipping and resourcing maternity hospitals and enabling fistula treatment.)
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Women with a fistula will plan or attempt suicide.
They’ve given up hope. They’ve lost their dignity.
They see no other option.
40%
of women with a fistula plan or attempt suicide.
They’ve given up hope. They’ve lost their dignity.
They see no other option.
“With your support, together we can work towards a world where no more women develop a birthing injury which leads them to contemplate or commit suicide. We can give hope to women who tragically believe their life is not worth living.
I’m sure you agree, every young woman deserves a future filled with hope and confidence, knowing she and her baby will be safe when she goes into labour. And every young woman should know she is loved and worthy, no matter what hardships she’s faced.
Please partner with us to ensure women like Ester, living in remote and underserviced areas of Africa, can give birth safely.”
Karen Baker
General Manager
Barbara May Foundation
P.S Thank you to everyone who has donated to make a difference.
Your support meant Ester was able to find hope once more...but there are still so many women who need our help.
women die trying to give birth... every single day.
women develop severe birthing injuries EVERY day
estimated women suffering with a fistula right now
Together we can do something about it.
Her Dignity Fund Supports...
Maternity Hospitals
Building and running safe, fully equipped maternity hospitals, and training local midwives and doctors.
Fistula Treatment
Providing specialist obstetric surgeries for women suffering with fistula injuries, while training more local surgeons in this specialisation.
Community Education
Educating rural and remote communities in Africa about maternal health, to reduce deaths and injuries in childbirth and to find fistula patients.
Her Dignity Fund Supports...
Maternity Hospitals
Building and running safe, fully equipped maternity hospitals, and training local midwives and doctors.
Fistula Treatment
Providing specialist obstetric surgeries for women suffering with fistula injuries, while training more local surgeons in this specialisation.
Community Education
Educating rural and remote communities in East Africa about maternal health, to reduce deaths and injuries in childbirth and to find fistula patients.
Your Gift Matters
$280 can enable one mother to give birth safely in a hospital, including all pre and post-natal check-ups, and a caesarean section if required.
$620 can restore a woman’s dignity through specialist obstetric fistula surgery.
Together let’s make a difference.
Would you help support these vital costs?
Donation Form
Please check your email inbox for your tax receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why donate before 30 June?
Barbara May Foundation is a registered Australian charity (ACN 141248900). In Australia, the financial year ends on 30 June. Donating by the end of June means you can make the most of your tax benefits for the financial year.
I already donated to Barbara May Foundation before the appeal, will my donation go towards the appeal?
All your donations will support the ongoing work of building and maintaining maternity hospitals, community education and fistula treatment.
However, only new donations made between 23 May to 30 June will be counted towards our fundraising goal.
I'm not in Australia, how can I donate?
Thank you for your support! Please find your country’s donation form here.
Who created the video and took the stunning photographs?
Thank you for asking! We are grateful for everyone who helped to share Ester’s story – from the social workers and nursing staff at Maternity Africa to the talented photographer and cinematographer, Justin McLean