News & Articles

Dr Andrew Browning was recently interviewed on his return from Africa. The interviewer was Hope 103.2 radio station’s morning presenter, Ben McEachen. You can listen to the interview below.

In September, on a beautiful Spring day, a large group of 170 people from the Community and from afar gathered together at Avoca Sunsets Bistro for the annual BMF Fundraiser.  This year, there was a vibrant African theme with African singers that...

In some wonderful news, long-time supporter, the Sonic Healthcare Foundation, has committed to the funding of the 42 bed maternal hospital - Sonic Healthcare Foundation – Kworo Hospital in northern Uganda. The partnership is between the Barbara May and...

John Anderson sits down with Dr. Andrew Browning, an obstetrician-gynecologist who has devoted his life to improving maternal health in Africa, with a particular focus on fistula surgery. He has collaborated with Dr. Catherine Hamlin and is the founder of the Barbara...

Our Brisbane supporters dinner was held on the 2nd June 2023 at Customs House, 75 people attended to hear DR Andrew Browning and Professor Judith Goh share from their decades of experience with fistula surgery, care and the training of midwives and doctors in...

It was a wonderful night, at Duntryleague when nearly 100 guests attended and heard Dr Andrew Browning share the great needs and challenges for women with obstetric fistula in Africa.   Even though it was our first fundraiser in Orange, it was very...

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...

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...

Featuring on the 20Twenty Podcast with Neil Johnson: 50 Years in 50 Degrees - Life with the Afar People in Ethiopia - an interview with Valerie Browning LISTEN NOW

Barbara May Foundation announces its partnership with Safewill.  Safewill provides an easy option for the 57% of Australians who don't have a Valid Will to protect the people and organisations that mean the most to them. Visit Safewill

The Foundation is delighted to announce that the renowned artist Kirsty Neilson will paint our beloved Valerie Browning for the Archibald Prize 2023. Kirsty has not only had her work hung three times in past Archibald Prizes, but is also a passionate volunteer who has...

Last week we sent out our quarterly newsletter which contained a story about the situation currently being experienced by Valerie Browning and her teams in the Afar region of Northern Ethiopia; ongoing war and drought causing immense suffering. We have had many of the...

December 2021 ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR GIVINGSAVE THE MOTHER, SAVE THE WORLD Dear Supporters,   A note to thank-you all for your wonderful support over the past year. Together we have made safe birth, maternal healthcare and family planning a possibility for many...

On Radio National on Monday morning listen to Valerie with Indira Naidoo discussing her years in Ethiopia and the devastation being caused by the current Civil War. 

Former NSW nurse Valerie Browning AM has vowed to take care of “one million people suffering beyond belief” in a bloody conflict showing no sign of slowing down. A 71-year-old Australian nurse has vowed to remain “while there is breath in my body” on the frontline of...

October 15 is International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day observed for pregnancy loss and infant death, which includes miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, and the death of a newborn. Pregnancy loss is defined differently around the world, but in Australia...

Mille - Afar, Ethiopia - “When I had fistula, I never thought I would be able to have a normal life anymore or even get pregnant again,” said 32-week pregnant Fatuma Hamad at the Barbara May Maternity Hospital in Afar Region.  Fatuma’s first delivery changed her life...