Frequently Asked Questions

We feel confident that our Q & A section will answer most issues that may arise.

Our website is extensive on www.zontaadelaidehills.org.au

Why use a Zonta Birthing Kit?

Over 500,000 women die annually from childbirth related problems. For some it is due to giving birth on unclean surfaces or using unclean items to cut the umbilical cord.     Our birthing kit provides for a clean birth.

Who uses the birthing kits?

The kits are only distributed through health professionals to hospitals, clinics or Village Birthing Attendant training programs in developing countries. The kits are frequently used by Village Birth Attendants who travel to distant villages.

How successful are the birthing kits?

Reporting from distribution organisations in developing countries, especially Afghanistan and Kenya, shows a marked reduction in maternal and neonatal mortality and infections.

Another indication of their success is the constant request for more kits as the Birth Attendants see the outcomes of the kits at first hand.

Professor Anthony Radford, an Adelaide based International Health Consultant, has stated that from first principles of hygiene, a clean birth will reduce infections.

How are the Birthing Kits made?

All birthing kits are put together at an Assembly Day.

What is an Assembly Day?

An Assembly Day is a day where volunteers, including club members and friends, assemble the birthing kits. A club books a clean venue that has room for tables where people can sit and assemble the birthing kits. Usually between 1,000 – 2,000 kits are made with 40 volunteers.

Our National Zonta Birthing Kit Assembly Day Manual has all the details including setting up, packaging and hygiene requirements. It is an enjoyable way for members, friends, family and potential new members to get together, while making kits.

Why a National Project?

Becoming a National project allowed us to access an AusAID grant. Both District 23 & 24 have endorsed the project at their respective District conferences.

How did we receive an AusAID grant?

The Zonta Birthing Kit Committee applied to the Hon Alexander Downer MP, as the Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of AusAID, for an appointment to discuss some funding. After receiving his ministerial approval and negotiating a contract with AusAID the project received support on a 1:1 basis to the value of $113,000 in the first year (2004 – 2005) and $200,000 in the 2nd year (2005 – 2006).

How does the AusAID grant work?

The grant is a cash grant where the $200,000 for 2005 – 2006 year was deposited into our Zonta Birthing Kit Fund at the beginning of the financial year, after a successful review and audit of the previous year’s activities.

Being a dollar for dollar grant we have to match the $200,000. However, we negotiated to have up to 50% of our contribution to be in donated service time by the management committee and hours donated by the members at Assembly Days. There are special hourly rates at which our time is valued.

25% Cash                                       $100,000

25% Donations & service time    $100,000

50% AusAID money                      $200,000

Where did the initial figure of $113,000 come from?

We estimated the annual cost for our project to supply and transport 120,000 Birthing Kits, including administration costs, at $226,000. With AusAID funding, on a dollar for dollar basis, it meant AusAID would fund half the project, which was $113,000.

Where did the second year amount of  $200,000 come from?

AusAID offered us $200,000 for our second year. For this $200,000, plus the $100,000 contribution from clubs, totalling a budget of $300,000, we estimated the project could supply and transport 170,000 Birthing Kits, including evaluation, PR and administration costs.

How much do the 113 Zonta clubs in Australia need to raise?

If all clubs were able to provide a contribution of about $800 each in the 2005 – 2006 year, together with external donations ($15,000) and bank interest we would reach our target of $100,000.

How many Assembly Days can a club have?

For a contribution of $800 a club can assemble 1600 birthing kits. They can choose to have as many Assembly Days as they can afford .Two or more clubs can come together to have a combined Assembly Day.

What happens if your club is small and does not have $800 to contribute?

A club can still organise a smaller Assembly Day. For every $100 donated you can order 200 kits. Or a club can choose to only make a smaller donation.

What do you do when you are ready to send money and have an Assembly Day?

Complete a Club Contribution Form (on the website) and send it to our Treasurer with your cheque addressed to “Zonta Birthing Kit Fund”.

Contact the Birthing Kit Foundation info@birthingkitfoundation.org.au with your Assembly Day details. The Foundaton suppliers need 6 – 8 weeks notice.

Where do the supplies come from?

The Birthing Kit Foundation will coordinate the supplies and information for the project. We will arrange for all the supplies to be delivered to each club, and for the transportation and delivery of the kits to the developing countries.

How is the INTEGRITY OF THE KITS maintained?

By having one supplier and distribution centre, we can maintain the quality of the contents of the kits. By asking all Clubs to ONLY place the 6 recommended contents into the kits we maintain consistency of all kits distributed. This is very important so we know exactly what is being distributed.

How is the HYGIENE LEVEL OF THE ASSEMBLY DAYS maintained?

The Assembly Day Manual gives ample detail regarding all aspects of hygiene.

Liability?

All partner organizations now sign a form where they accept responsibility for the training in the use of the kits and the correct disposal of the waste.

Success of the project?

Our club has enjoyed 6 years experience of supplying kits. In 2003 we supplied 11,000 ZBKs to 12 countries. In our 2004-2005 year, we provided 102,000 kits to 26 different countries through 17 NGOs. With 36 clubs in District 23 and 47 clubs in District 24 involved in this project, it is truly a National Project.

How has the link to the developing country been established?

The Zonta Birthing Kit Project Coordinators have, over 6 years, established connections through NGOs (Non Government Organization) based in Australia and Internationally and through volunteers.

By working with organizations like OPAL (Overseas Pharmaceutical Aid for Life), AusAID (Australian Government’s Overseas Aid Department), FPA (Family Planning Australia), ARHA (Australian Reproductive Health Alliance), AFAP (Australian Foundation for the peoples of Asia and the Pacific), MSI (Marie Stopes International), CNCF (Christina Noble Children’s Foundation) and individual volunteers, the project has grown.

How do we describe our relationship with AusAID?

It is best to say ”our Zonta Birthing Kit Project is supported by AusAID “

We are NOT in partnership with AusAID. Please be mindful to use correct terminology describing our relationship. All major publicity like television or radio coverage, should be cleared with Aus AID first.

Call Elisabeth James Aus AID Public Affairs 02 6206 4971.

To what countries can the kits be distributed?

The AusAID grant can only be used to supply kits to countries nominated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. There is an extensive list on the website of 30 countries in the Asia Pacific and Africa region. If the country of destination requesting kits is not on the list, we can apply to AusAID to see if they will allow us to extend our list of countries to include that country.

What happens if AusAID will not fund Birthing Kits to the country you choose?

You pay for the kits and transport expenses fully from your own club funds. We can still organize all supplies and transport – bags must not have an AusAID logo.

How can donations (NOT club contributions) be tax deductible?

The National Foundation for Australian Women (NFAW) has given permission for ZONTA and the Birthing Kit Foundation to use their organization to achieve tax deductibility for donations for the Zonta Birthing Kit Project.

All donations are forwarded to NFAW and the funds are deposited in the Birthing Kit Foundation Donor account. NFAW sends out receipts and takes a 7% administration fee (less for donations over $10,000). The full explanation of how this works is on the Birthing Kit Foundation website along with the necessary forms.