THEY went to Ethiopia to deliver cash raised by Scots to help vulnerable mothers – and ended up helping to build a lifeline health centre.

Oh, and they delivered a few babies along the way too….

Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year finalists Maureen Burnett and Jo Middlemiss caught up with ANN FOTHERINGHAM to explain why money raised here in Glasgow is saving lives in Ethiopia.

OVER tea and scones in Maureen Burnett’s Burnside kitchen, the hot, dusty world of Buccama in Ethiopia is being brought alive.

Maureen and her cousin Jo, founders of the Ethiopia Medical Project (EMP) are just back from a month’s visit to the remote village and their stories – of minor miracles and mothers saved, of babies born and foundations laid - tumble over each other amid laughter and tears.

Every one shows the importance of the clinic to the people of Buccama.

There’s the story of Gomose Goa, who arrived at the clinic on a stretcher, unable to stand, and dependent upon her daughter Merrette for everything. Within a few days, Gomose could walk unsupported, and both she and Merrette had their lives back.

Then there was the young mum, sent home with her new baby because the clinic was full of malaria patients, who came all the way back on the bus because she knew Buccama was where she was safest.

“We always feel a little homesick when we come back from Buccama,” smiles Jo, 67, who lives in Kinross. “We miss them all very much. But this trip felt even more special – it was our best yet.”

The reason for the pair’s jubilation is that thanks to the fantastic support they have received from individuals and groups all over Scotland, work has finally started on building Buccama’s first health centre.

“The foundations went in while we were there and it was wonderful,” beams Maureen, 71. “Van-loads of local men turned up and did everything by hand and by the time we left, it was well underway.”

But while the foundations of the new centre mark an important beginning for Buccama, the story really begins several years ago when Maureen visited Ethiopia on an education project.

By chance, she got to visit a tiny clinic helping women suffering from prolapse following childbirth.

It's a distressing condition that here in the west can be easily rectified - but in a remote community like Buccama the women can be ostracised by their husbands and wider society.

She was so affected by the women’s plight that she launched an appeal as soon as she arrived home in Scotland. Jo got on board and together, the women have raised tens of thousands of pounds, ploughing every penny into the charity and refusing to take expenses themselves.

“That’s really what it was all about at the start,” says Jo. “Women were suffering from something that could easily be fixed, which we thought was awful, we could helo, so we did.

“Then things shifted – the Ethiopian government decided that all babies must be born in clinics or hospitals so we had many more women coming to the clinic to have their babies.

She grins: "So we ended up rolling our sleeves up and helping to deliver babies too.

"But we don't mind, we are there to help. And they don't care who we are or where we come from, they are just grateful someone has taken an interest. One woman said to us - you have seen our shame, and you are not ashamed of us. It was very moving."

So far, the clinic has treated 6000 women but as demand has grown, so too has the realisation that bigger premises are needed.

“Sister Haimanot, who runs the clinic, has been a woman on a mission to get this health centre built,” smiles Maureen. “So as soon as it was clear the funding was in place for this part of the project and a tender had been accepted, she put it all in motion.

“Nothing happens very quickly in Ethiopia, but the very next day lorries started arriving with sand and cement. It was amazing.”

The new centre will include two 10-bedded wards, a pharmacy, nurses’ station, toilets and registrar’s room. Thanks to support from Kinross Rotary Club, EMP is also making links with Rotary International to help provide equipment for the centre.

“Dr Saba Lambert is our Rotary International link and she is an angel,” explains Jo. “It looks like the centre will be ready to open in June.”

For Jo and Maureen, however, the work goes on. They have to raise at least £12,000 each year to fund the running of the clinic. The pair have become well-known for their Pants and Pounds parties, where people donate new underwear and contribute to the cost of posting them to the clinic.

The women in Ethiopia need the underwear to help prevent infection.

“Yes, the Pants and Pounds parties will continue and we will still travel all over the country talking to Rotary clubs, church groups, bridge groups, you name it,” says Maureen.

Jo adds: “People have been so generous and supportive and we are very grateful. When we arrive in Buccama we are always met with posters and music and dancing and lots of hugs and thank-yous, but we always explain that it’s not us who are giving them these things, it’s so many other people back in Scotland too.

“We tip-toed into this, did a bit here and a bit there, so yes, it feels incredible to see what has been achieved so far.”

It’s not without its hilarity too, as the two women explain.

“One of our favourite moments was at a women’s group in a church on the south side of Glasgow, where we had given our talk and explained all about how the underwear helped the women of Buccama,” smiles Maureen.

Jo adds: “Lots of the congregation had brought stuff with them, and at the end of the talk, the priest called out: ‘Thanks for listening, ladies, so, if you could all just all drop your pants at the door on the way out…..”

To find our more about how you can support EMP, visit the website www.ethiopiamedicalproject.com