About Marycare Foundation
Mary Care Foundation (MCF), formerly known as the Maternal and Child Charity Pet Project, was founded in 2019 at Wesley Guide Hospital, Ilesha, Osun State by Mary T. Bifarin. It is a non-governmental and non-profit organization aimed at creating an enabling environment supporting women during maternal and perinatal stages of pregnancy especially those who cannot afford materials and drugs for treatment and immediate help and empowering young girls, out-of-school girl children and unskilled young women reducing marginalization of the girl child in our community.
Origin Story
The inspiration for MCF arose at Wesley Guide Hospital, Ilesha, Osun State, where its founder, Mrs. Mary T. Bifarin, observed the heartbreaking reality of patients unable to afford vital materials and drugs during emergencies. Witnessing the positive impact of pooling resources to support maternal and pediatric care, Mrs. Bifarin launched the Mary Care Foundation to extend this lifesaving support and raise awareness about the alarming rates of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
The Challenge
Maternal Mortality
Maternal mortality remains a critical issue in Nigeria, with 512 maternal deaths per 100,000 births and a lifetime risk of 1 in 22 for Nigerian women. Economic barriers and insufficient access to healthcare are significant contributors to this crisis. MCF’s work directly addresses these challenges by providing necessary resources and advocacy to reduce preventable maternal deaths.
Young Girls’ Development
Young girls in Nigeria face systemic discrimination in access to education, food, and nutrition. Many are subjected to early marriage, child labor, and inadequate opportunities for skill acquisition. MCF’s initiatives aim to empower these girls through education and vocational training, promoting gender equality and breaking the cycle of marginalization.
Key Milestones & Impacts
Medical Support
Periodic donations of medical consumables to Children's Emergency and Labour wards at Wesley Guild Hospital and IHU.
Educational Programs
The "Train a Child Project", supporting students at Idita Community High School, Mokuro, Ile-Ife.
Seminars and Training
Organized webinars and training programs in collaboration with healthcare institutions to enhance maternal and child healthcare delivery.
Empowerment Initiatives
Scholarships and educational assistance for young girls, along with skills acquisition programs to promote self-reliance.
Collaborations
MCF partners with esteemed organizations and communities to maximize its impact
OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, ILE-IFE.
WESLEY GUILD HOSPITAL, ILESHA(Loocal Communities (Enuwa, ABAGBORO))
JOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, JOS, NIGERIA
LIVERPOOL JOHN MOORES UNIVERSITY, LIVERPOOL, UK
Current Projects
Building Capacity to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences
- Collaboration with Liverpool John Moores University (2024)
- Research on healthcare workers' knowledge and practices
- Status: Ongoing
School Outreaches
Educational and skills development programs for young girls and out-of-school children.
Funding
The foundation’s activities are made possible through generous donations from philanthropic individuals and organizations. These funds are utilized to provide drugs, treatments, educational support, and empowerment programs.
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Meet the Founder
Mrs. Mary T. Bifarin, the visionary behind MCF, is a retired Registered Nurse, Midwife, and Perioperative Nurse with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Her illustrious career includes serving as the Director of Nursing at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife. Her deep concern for patients’ inability to afford emergency treatments fueled her passion to establish MCF. Even post-retirement, Mrs. Bifarin continues to advance her education, currently pursuing a Master’s degree at ABUAD.