February 09, 2016

Maternity Foundation receives donation from international Inner Wheel

Photo credit: Keld NavntoftOn February 2nd, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary, in her capacity as patron of Maternity Foundation, accepted a donation of 100.000 DKK from International Inner Wheel to Maternity Foundation. The donation ceremony took place at Amalienborg Palace.

Inner Wheel is one of the largest women’s service voluntary organizations in the world with more than 100,000 members in 103 countries. International Inner Wheel had decided to donate the profit from their 16th International Inner Wheel Convention in Copenhagen 2015 to Maternity Foundation’s program in Ethiopia.

The donation was handed over by former international CEO of International Inner Wheel, Suzanne Nielsen, and Convention Coordinator, Benedicte Haubroe.

“Inner Wheel is very proud to be able to give a donation to Maternity Foundation’s project in Ethiopia. By educating women to a better health during pregnancy, Inner Wheel’s purpose of helping both women and children to a better life is fulfilled,” says Inner Wheel’s Benedicte Haubroe.

Anna Frellsen, CEO of Maternity Foundation, accepted the donation together with Maternity Foundation’s founder and board chairman, Henriette Svarre Nielsen.

“We were both surprised, honored and very happy when Inner Wheel told us that they had decided to grant 100.000 Danish kroner to Maternity Foundation. Their support will go a long way in empowering women in Ethiopia to seek professional care during pregnancy and childbirth,” says Anna Frellsen.

“We are also very grateful that Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary agreed to accept the donation on our behalf at Amalienborg Palace, where we met representatives from the Inner Wheel organization.”

Maternity Foundation works on two levels: One, by empowering women to seek care, when they become pregnant. Two, by working to strengthen the health system’s capacity to ensure a safe motherhood. The donation from International Inner Wheel will go towards bringing health education to the women’s local communities in the West Wollega region of Ethiopia.

Photo credit: Keld Navntoft