Thanks to the generosity of Glenferrie Rotarian Geoff Widmer and his daughter Susie, matched by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, another shipment of life-saving birthing kits has reached some of the most remote communities in Papua New Guinea. Delivered by river, air and foot to isolated clinics in the Gulf Province, these simple kits are helping provide safer births for vulnerable mothers.
Click on ‘Read more…’ to learn more about the partnership, the challenging journey, and the impact these kits are making on the ground.
In late 2025, the International Committee recommended that the Rotary Club of Glenferrie fund an additional purchase of birthing kits from the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia. Our previous initiative in 2024 was supported by a $1,000 donation from Geoff Widmer and his daughter, Susie Widmer, which the club matched, enabling the purchase of 400 birthing kits for remote PNG communities. Geoff and Susie have again donated $1,000, and the Rotary Club of Glenferrie has matched this contribution for the current project.
Susie Widmer lived and worked in PNG for six years during the construction and operation of the PNG LNG plant and experienced firsthand the impact of the 2018 Hela Province earthquake. Her understanding of the challenges faced by women in remote areas and her passion for improving maternal health has been instrumental in encouraging Rotary’s continued involvement.
The birthing kits, sourced from the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia, were sent to the Rotary Club of Boroko in Port Moresby via Rotary contacts in Brisbane and distributed to high‑need communities. While simple, these kits provide vital support for vulnerable women in remote regions.
The latest shipment of four boxes was delivered on 15 April 2026 to clinics in Poroi 2 and Wabo in the upper Gulf Province. With no road access, all transport into this region is by river, air, or foot, and delivery can take many months. We thank the Rotary Club of Boroko for their coordination and persistence in ensuring these kits reached their destination.
It is encouraging to see the club's support arriving where it is most needed, though much more remains to be done.
Thank you to the members of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and the Rotary Club of Boroko for making this project possible.
Amelia Anderson
Director, International Services