History
Our club the Zonta Club of Adelaide Hills started the Birthing Kit Project.
In 1999 the first 100kits were sent to PNG and were so effective in reducing maternal and child deaths that thousands more were requested.
It grew over the next 4 years to become a National Zonta project in 2004 with an AusAID grant. By 2005 the project was in over 30 countries, distributing over 100,000 kits per year by volunteers. 98% of kits arrived at their remote destination. For volunteers, it was an amazing logistical exercise.
By 2006 the Birthing Kit Foundation (Australia) was formed with the original members of the Zonta Birthing Kit Committee being on the board. For more information www.bkfa.org.au
In 2012 the project reached 1 million kits made by volunteers in Australia. To celebrate Dr. Luc Mulimbalimba our partner in DR Congo came to Australia to be the keynote speaker at all celebration events.
In 2018 – 19 the Foundation passed the 2 millionth kit made by volunteers in Australia and distributed to more than 30 developing countries.
In 2019 we also celebrated the 20th Birthday of the Birthing Kit Project.
Without the dedication and hard work of members of the Adelaide Hills Zonta club many thousands of women and babies would not be alive today. This project only survived with the dedication of a small group of women and the support of Zonta members across Australia.