said that fathers are never allowed to go to the birth of their children. "Never?" I asked. "Never," he said. "One step at a time," I tell myself.
I can see that the safebirth classes are having a great effect on the midwives in the nearby areas. They are excited about their new knowledge, sharing information with each other, waiting for new supplies, and feeling proud and successful. After meeting with them I am not entirely sure they remember all the information correctly (one midwife said she put a mother in the postion for when shoulders are stuck to take her to the hospital for breech, which is an entirely diferent position), but at least hopefully, they are not sticking unclean hands inside a birthing mother, and no longer trying to change the position of the baby by shoving on the mother's stomach.....Time will continue to tell the
effects of this education.
The clinic moves along so well. We had staff training yesterday and did some role playing about seeing the sickest patients first. We also went over the supplies in the safebirth kits, which we now can give out to mothers who are almost due, and who will give birth at home. As always, I wish I had more time to work with them, but it was a good
training. This is a lively fun group of staff and I appreciate their energy enthusiasm and teamwork very much. Each time I am here my creole improves a bit and I hope a little more fo the cultural barriers between us fade. I am confident that they trust me, know I care deeply for them and have the best intentions for Haiti.
I will be back in May. I will miss many things as I always do. The feeling of being part of this bustling moving growing clinic, the creole chatter, the good strong coffee in the morning, Saintsilia's joy and humor each day, all the little and big accomplishments. The singing, the prayer.
Lots of love, -Alison
P.S. Sadie says that many people visit this site she has made. I often wonder who you are. If you have a minute, I would love to hear from you.....