6 May 2014
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This Mother’s Day, Victorians are being invited to take a journey along the road to safe motherhood in sub-Saharan Africa by attending Motherhood Matters, a stunning exhibition of photographs that showcases the experience of mothers in rural African communities. Click image to start gallery.
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- Anjelice and her 10-month-old baby Isiraneza Teta attend an antenatal check-up with their local community health volunteer, who provides basic health care and education for mothers in remote communities. Photo credit: Ilana Rose/World Vision
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- World Vision works with mothers’ groups, who support each other in the challenges of motherhood and keeping themselves and their children healthy. Ilana Rose/World Vision
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- Reibaserwe is expecting her first child very soon. She is attending her final pre-natal visit and has made preparations to come to the health facility to deliver her baby. Skilled delivery of births is a key intervention to lower maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Ilana Rose/World Vision
The free photo exhibition will be held at the Atrium Community Gallery at Federation Square from 5 to 13 of May and looks at some of the challenges faced by mothers and the vital work being done to improve maternal health in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda.
Mother’s Day on 11 May will further evoke the sound and spirit of Africa as the exhibition plays host to two African dance and drum performances by Asanti Dance Theatre at 12 and 2pm, near the Visitors Centre at Federation Square.
World Vision’s East Africa Program Advisor, Margy Dowling, said that the event is aimed at raising Victorians’ awareness of maternal and child health issues in Africa ahead of Mother’s Day:
This exhibition showcases some of the most beautiful and touching photos from East Africa that World Vision Australia and Anglican Overseas Aid have been fortunate enough to capture. It’s a real celebration of motherhood and the common bond that exists between many mothers and their children, with a special focus on East Africa.
We want people to be able to absorb the stories of these mothers and their children and to develop their understanding of the difficulties they face living in developing African countries, as well as to find out about what is being done to improve their health.
Since 2011, World Vision has been working with the Australian Government to deliver the East Africa Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Project in Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
Anglican Overseas Aid is working with nomadic pastoralist communities in Ethiopia and Kenya to improve maternal and child health, through their project The Road Less Travelled.
Both projects aim to boost maternal, newborn and child survival by improving the quality, supply and community utilisation of health services and promoting positive health practices for mothers and children.
Motherhood Matters is presented by World Vision Australia and Anglican Overseas Aid, with support from the Australian Government.