The farfalla Midwifery Aid in Ethiopia

October 29, 2025

Education that saves lives – our midwives Tigist and Aden

“Healthy births should be accessible to everyone and not the privilege of an affluent society” – a cause close to the heart of our CEO, Malvin Richard. To give children in disadvantaged countries a better start in life, farfalla launched its Midwifery Aid program in 2018.

The goal is concrete and immediate: to reduce maternal mortality in the world's poorest countries. In addition to supporting smaller midwifery projects in Europe – such as the Swiss midwives of MAMbrella , who work in European refugee camps – the focus is on providing comprehensive training for young women in Africa.

Aden – our first midwifery scholarship recipient

In 2018, the collaboration began with the Hamlin College of Midwives in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – a renowned training institution that trains young women from rural regions to become professional midwives.
The first farfalla scholarship recipient, Aden , is a dedicated young woman with a strong sense of responsibility for the women and children in her region. farfalla supported her throughout her four-year training – not only financially, but also personally, exchanging information about her life and studies.

Aden successfully completed her studies in 2021. Due to the civil war in her home country, she has remained in the capital for the time being. She now works at Hamlin Hospital, where she dedicates herself to safe childbirth with her extensive expertise and great compassion. She regularly shares updates on how she continues her professional development and continuously expands her skills, even during challenging times.

Tigist – our second scholarship recipient at Hamlin College

From 2022 to 2025, farfalla funded the four-year midwifery training of Tigist, a young woman from the southern Ethiopian region of SNNP, at the Hamlin College of Midwives. Tigist graduated in the fall of 2025 and is now at the beginning of her career. She was highly dedicated throughout her studies and is now very much looking forward to starting her work as a midwife in the rural areas of her home region of Sidama.

In Ethiopia, one of Africa's largest but also poorest countries, maternal mortality in rural areas remains very high. This makes trained professionals like Tigist all the more important, as they will save lives in the future with their knowledge, empathy, and sense of responsibility.

Education empowers girls and women

Education opens up new perspectives for young women – and its impact extends far beyond their own lives. A trained midwife is not only a healthcare professional, but also a confidante, a leader, and a role model in her community. Her knowledge strengthens entire families and inspires other girls to forge their own paths.

Photos: greenlamp.ch