Living Child was founded in 2013 by an amazing and inspiring Australian midwife - Sara David AM. Living Child has impacted the lives of thousands of people because of Sara’s vision, heart and passion for maternal health and community development in PNG.

LC’s story began in 2011, when Pastor Yabru Jerry in Papua New Guinea, was asked by a visiting Australian pastor, Michael Bullard, “What are your needs?” He answered, “Our mothers are dying in childbirth. Many men are left widowed and children without their mothers. Please can you send a midwife to give training to our Village Birth Attendants.”

In PNG, Traditional Birth Attendants are referred to us Village Birth Attendants. In some remote areas of Papua New Guinea, there are no formal health and education services, and transport and telecommunications options are very limited. VBAs step up to provide care for mothers and babies, attend births, and save lives when complications arise. Their knowledge comes from experience – through giving birth themselves, and attending births of others as an ‘apprentice.’ Many VBAs cannot read or write, and have never attended school.

In August 2012, Sara travelled to the remote village of Yamen in East Sepik Province. She listened to the stories of the women and Village Birth Attendants and was deeply moved to make a difference. The vision was born.

In March 2013, with the support of family and friends, Sara founded Living Child Inc. Over the past 12 years, Living Child has become a trusted partner of the local health authorities. Sara completed a Masters of Midwifery by research, was made a Member of the Order of Australia, and created a framework for the training of Village Birth Attendants, which can be used all over the world.

Living Child is very proud of our story, and very grateful for the many, many people across Papua New Guinea and Australia that have supported our journey and shaped our path.