Safe babies. This is one of the main reasons we all went to Africa. For two days we provided training to decrease mortality rates among mothers and newborns. The goal is that the 17 midwives and the PAs that were in attendance will share what they learned with the rest of the midwives in the district. Knowledge is power and in this case knowledge can save lives.
A quick side note. In the Atiwa District the midwives are the ones who deliver babies. It isn't like in the states where most babies are born in a hospital by a doctor, and a small percentage are delivered by midwives. Even in the hospital in Enyiresi the Midwives are the ones who deliver the babies.
A second quick side note. There are two separate groups of midwives. The group that came to our training are Governmental Midwives. They have been to school and are now working at different posts in the district. There are also Traditional Midwives. Traditional midwives have not been to school to receive training and are somewhat considered "The Black Sheep". Tai, the District Medical Director, explained that while they respect the Traditional Midwives they don't want to educate them or give them supplies because this would encourage them to continue practicing without appropriate training. His hope is that as the midwives themselves die off, the practice will as well.
The training was held in Abomosu. Aside from the Hospital in Enyiresi all the midwives in the clinic posts work alone. They are the only ones delivering the babies. The goal of course would be to have at least one other person there to assist with the delivery, especially if something went wrong with the mother or the baby, but it is amazing to think that these women do absolutely everything by themselves.
Ghanians love to sing. At the beginning of the training Charlotte led everyone in a song and we loved it!
Kassie training
Sarah training with Mike & Ike and Danette trying to figure out the projector that they rigged up.
Abuelo training
Dr. Hughes training
Danette training
NeoNatalie's African cousin. We had 5 tables set up like this one and broke everyone into 5 small groups to practice Preparing for delivering all the way through Newborn Rescue Breathing
Abuelo and his small group reviewing Preparation
Kassie and her small group. Ahhh--Victor--the favorite student, the new guy, Dina..., Tai, and Esther. Only Esther and Dina are midwives here.
3 groups practicing the first step-Preparation
Considering the smiles on everyone's faces I'm pretty sure this is Abuelo's group
Esther practicing The Golden Minute. I think it worked because NeoNatasha looks like she's crying
A safely delivered NeoNatalie
Our favorite group
World Joy staff eating lunch
Danette: Another chicken knuckle...
Kassie: yummmm, I love chicken and rice so much
Dr. Hughes and his group. I think we were there to discourage holding babies upside-down Dr....
So attentive. The second to the left is Irene. I told her my mother's name is Irene and she said, 'Then I am your mother'.
Sarah and her group, Danette and her group, Dr. Hughes and his group. Practicing The Golden Minute
After everyone received their certificate for successful completion of the Training,Charlotte led everyone in a song and dance again. Sarah forgot that she was white and therefore can't dance but somehow found herself in the group.
Atiwa District Midwives plus World Joy staff.
