Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a kit cost?
A kit costs about $2.50 to make and to transport to its destination in Asia, Africa or the Pacific.
How do you know if the kits get to their destination?
All the Non Government Organisations distributing the kits MUST report back to us when the kits are received. Reporting is mandatory to be included on our distribution register the following year. From this we know that 97% of all kits sent arrive at their often remote destination.
Why don't you put more in the kits?
The kits are meant to be simple, cheap and effective for the very poorest women in the most remote areas of the world giving birth at home. To add more items would add to the weight and cost of the kit, lowering the numbers we could produce and send. The more complicated a kit becomes the less appealing it is for the often illiterate women who use them, causing them to return to old unsafe methods.
How do you decide who gets the kits?
Most organisations we work with approach us when they hear about what we do. We then work with them to determine how to start a pilot project and, if that is successful, we increase our support. We have also targeted organisations with established maternal health programmes to support.
How do you know the kits work?
All NGO's report back to us on their experience of the effectiveness of the kit. They are all thrilled with the usefulness and simple efficiency of the kit. Their anecdotal evidence is that the kits are highly effective in keeping the birth environment clean and lowering the chances of infection. A report from Afghanistan on the impact of using 2350 kits. Dr Taj reported that only one woman had died and no babies had died. Statistically it would be expected that between 44 and 118 women would die (depending on region) and over 100 babies would die. This shows the true impact of simple clean birthing kits and a health programme.
Do the kits get stolen in poor countries?
No they don't. The components of the kit, being very simple and of little intrinsic value, have not been a target for theft.
How do you run an Assembly Day and what is involved in getting started?
If you want to run an Assembly Day you can contact the Birthing Kit Foundation via our website. Our Assembly Day Coordinator (Supplies Officer) will reply to you with all the details needed. For an Assembly Day to be run successfully you need a group of people who are willing to help put together at least 600 kits, a suitable room or hall in which to work and the funds required, namely $2.00 per kit.
How is the hygiene level needed at Assembly days maintained?
The Assembly Day Manual gives ample detail regarding all aspects of hygiene.
Liability?
All partner organizations sign a form where they accept responsibility for the training in the use of the kits and the correct disposal of the waste.
Where are the kits used?
The kits are designed for the use of women who give birth at home in remote regions of developing countries. We know from reporting that some get used in fields when women have not been able to get to a better birthing environment.
Do the kits get used in natural disaster situations?
The Australian Government requested and received 4000 kits for use in the relief effort after the recent cyclone in Myanmar. We are increasingly working to make sure we have kits which are available for disaster relief.
Do you distribute kits in Australia to poor and remote indigenous communities? No we do not. The Australian Government makes sure that all women in Australia are well cared for during childbirth. Also being part funded by AusAID means the recipients of our kits must be based overseas. Our commitment is to help women in developing countries where the need is widespread and few resources are available.
How do I lodge a complaint with the Birthing Kit Foundation (Australia)? A copy of our complaints handling procedure can be requested by contacting us on info@birthingkitfoundation.org.au