Campbelltown Hospital staff help Barbara May Foundation and Valerie Browning save women and children in the horn of Africa

An Australian nurse who has devoted her life to saving the lives of women and children in the horn of Africa has received a welcome boost to continue her vital work thanks to a $40,000 donation.

Barbara May Foundation founder Valerie Browning said she was stunned and overwhelmed to receive the $40,000 donation from the South Western Sydney Local Health District’s Workplace Giving Program. Pictures: Angelo Velardo

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AN Australian nurse who has devoted her life to saving the lives of women and children in the horn of Africa has received a welcome boost to continue her vital work thanks to a $40,000 donation from staff from hospitals including Campbelltown.

Barbara May Foundation founder Valerie Browning was the special guest at Campbelltown Hospital on Wednesday where she received the funds through South Western Sydney Local Health District’s Workplace Giving Program.

Valerie Browning (centre) with Campbelltown Hospital general manager Alison Derrett and dental assistant Veronica Erdes.

Through the program, almost a quarter of staff from hospitals across the health district donate a $1 each week towards funding projects.

Mrs Browning established the Barbara May Foundation in 2009 to provide lifesaving care in countries including Tanzania and Ethiopia and to reduce maternal deaths and lower the incidence of birth injury.

Since then, the foundation has established the Barbara May Maternity Hospital in Ethiopia, a second hospital in Ethiopia and one in Tanzania.

Mrs Browning hoped the funds would be used to set up a teaching centre for midwives at the maternity hospital in Ethiopia, and to also train more health and education workers and village birth attendants.

Mrs Browning first went to the horn of Africa as a nurse at age 22, saw people starving and decided to devote herself to changing this injustice.

She has lived among the Afar nomads for 28 years and with her Afar husband Ismael Ali Gardo and remains devoted to her health and literacy programs.

South Western Sydney Local Health District Workplace Giving Steering Committee chairwoman Tonina Harvey said we were lucky to have the highest quality healthcare here in Australia, but unfortunately there were communities around the world that were unable to access adequate healthcare.

“The work being done by the Barbara May Foundation is truly inspiring,’’ she said.

“It is impressive to hear how our contributions are making a huge difference for others. It is amazing what $1 a week can achieve!”