Birthing Kits - providing a clean and safe birth

The Birthing Kits Foundation Australia (BKFA) continued to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare workforce capacity through partnerships in Somaliland and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In collaboration with Edna Adan University Hospital and Mission in Health Care and Development (MHCD), BKFA supported vulnerable students from underserved rural communities to undertake midwifery training and contribute to improving access to skilled maternal healthcare in high-need regions.

In Somaliland, BKFA launched a scholarship initiative supporting four young women from remote communities to undertake a fully funded four-year midwifery degree at Edna Adan University in Hargeisa. Scholarships covered tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and study supplies, enabling students to complete both academic and clinical training at the internationally recognised Edna Adan Hospital. Upon graduation, students will return to their home communities to provide culturally appropriate maternal and newborn healthcare services in areas with limited access to skilled professionals.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, BKFA partnered with MHCD to implement the Midwifery Students Sponsorship Project in Luvungi Town. The initiative successfully identified and enrolled 10 vulnerable first-year students, many of whom were orphans or from highly disadvantaged backgrounds. Despite ongoing regional instability and conflict, all students remained committed to their studies. BKFA funding supported tuition and examination fees, reducing financial barriers and enabling students to continue their education with greater stability and confidence.

The MHCD project was developed in response to the severe shortage of trained maternal healthcare workers in rural areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where maternal and neonatal mortality rates remain among the highest globally. Through community outreach and student selection processes, MHCD worked closely with families and local communities to identify students most in need of support. The organisation also highlighted the strong emotional and social impact of the initiative, with students and their families expressing deep gratitude for the opportunity to pursue education and contribute to improving healthcare services in underserved communities. The program is expected to strengthen long-term maternal healthcare capacity by supporting graduates to return to their home regions as qualified midwives.

Together, these initiatives aim to address the critical shortage of skilled midwives in underserved communities, improve maternal and newborn health outcomes, and promote long-term gender equality and community empowerment through education and locally led healthcare solutions.