Making a world of difference: grassroots international development from Perth to PNG

This month, learn more about the impact that Australian charities are having on the ground in less fortunate communities in our immediate neighbourhood as we hear from Perth-based midwife and Founding CEO of Living Child Inc. as one of the inaugural receipients of The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's new Australian Aid: Friendship Grant program.

Papua New Guinea is Australia’s closest neighbour, with the remarkably diverse, resource rich mainland less than four kilometres from our nearest populated island. Yet it in other ways, it's worlds apart as a largely remote population struggle with poverty and harsh living conditions. As something that many Australians may take for granted, maternal medical care is extremely poor, with little access to family planning, pregnancy and birth care and immunisation. Just across the Torres Strait, Papua New Guinean women suffer from some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the region, with five women dying every day due to complications during childbirth.

Sara will share her stories of bringing hope to families in the remote Keram River area of East Sepik Province through the work of Living Child Inc. Overcoming systemic corruption, societal male domination and lack of government and medical services, Sara will discuss the ways in which she has succeeded in negotiating cultural taboos and myths with sensitivity, to promote equitable, evidence based healthcare for better maternal and newborn outcomes.

*** Capacity at the venue is limited and door sales may not be available. Pre-purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment! ***

If you are unable to purchase tickets online, please call the Secretary on (08) 6225 2515 or email wa.branch@internationalaffairs.org.au to book a seat.

About the Speaker: 

Sara David is a midwife passionate about global midwifery. Since 2011 she has been involved in preparing and facilitating evidence-based training to village birth attendants, health workers and midwives in developing nations. She is the founder and CEO of Living Child Inc, a charity aimed at reducing the maternal and newborn mortality rates in remote villages of Papua New Guinea. Sara now organises teams of midwives to provide support, simple teaching resources and professional development to local health workers and village volunteers. 

In addition, Sara is closely aligned with Global Health Alliance Western Australia [GHAWA] which is facilitated by the WA Nursing and Midwifery Office to provide upskilling and professional development to midwives in developing countries. In 2014 she was contracted to write two Maternal & Newborn Care training packages for the GHAWA project in Tanzania which have been successfully implemented there. The program is now being launched in Papua New Guinea by Living Child Inc. thanks to the success of a DFAT Friendship Grant.