About Us

The Birthing Kit Foundation (Australia) (BKFA) became a legal entity (company limited by guarantee) in September 2006, and started administering the Birthing Kit Project when a new contract was signed with AusAID in April 2007.

The BKFA has distributed over 800,000 kits to date to over 30 countries through over 40 organisations.

We have developed training programmes in Vietnam, Kenya, DR Congo, Ethiopia and India, with over 7,800 birth attendants trained. In Vietnam, one training programme was funded in country and 19,000 kits were also funded and made in country. In Ethiopia we held a training programme to complement the in country production of their own birthing kits. Sustainability is happening. Monitoring visits create the avenues to advance the processes towards sustainability.

With 97% of all kits arriving at their remote destination, and 96% of all donations going directly to the project (only 4% administration costs), the BKFA is administering the Birthing Kit Project efficiently. This is facilitated by the voluntary work carried out predominantly by the Board. The BKFA has passed all AusAID Acquittals to their high standards, and has complied with ASIC and ACFID requirements. We have managed to source our supplies cheaper, and work towards keeping transport costs down and reliable. The business processes and Access data inputting have created an efficient system accessible to all board and staff.

We have established a broad based fundraising programme, which we feel we can comfortably achieve annually.

Our national and international exposure has grown with articles in International magazines, national magazines and numerous newspapers as well as Radio National and Stateline (TV) segment, as well as blogs on Madison Website

http://www.madisonmag.com.au/blogs/the-mother-of-all-problems.htm

and mamamia blog

http://www.mamamia.com.au/weblog/2011/05/donate-10-to-the-birthing-kit-foundation-and-help-our-sisters-overseas.html

Zonta involvement.

Zontians have always been and will continue to be an important part of the Birthing Kit Project. The majority of all Assembly Days are organised through Zonta clubs, and Zonta clubs contribute over 50% of the annual funds to the Foundation.

The project has grown exponentially under the administration of the Birthing Kit Foundation (Australia) (BKFA), and with the support of Zonta clubs, many individuals and organisations.