Mali Midwives Training

I'm currently in Koutiala, the former cotton capital of Mali, for a midwife training with the American NGO (non-governmental organization) Mali Midwives. Nicole Warren, a former PCV, raised money with her NGO to hold a training for all the midwives in the Koutiala area. I'm not in the Koutiala area, but I first heard about this training through a Chicago Public Radio story that I got via e-mail . I e-mailed Nicole and asked if she'd mind if I brought the two matrones from my maternity in town, as well as the two matrones from the health center down the road.

Three of the four women I invited were able to come, and we're here for three days of training. The training is lead entirely by Malian staff drawn from the area, and they've chosen to focus on neonatal care. It's really cool to see a room full of 40+ Malian health workers sitting together, asking questions, and sharing ideas. My matrones seem excited about it, and they leave everyday pumped about what they've just learned, as opposed to down trodden and exhausted (ok, so maybe they're a little tired), as they tend to be after a full day in the village.

If all goes well, I'd really like to try and raise money for a similar training to happen again next year in my area. Sessions like this serve to remotivate and refocus health workers in a country that demands a lot of these women and gives little back. Everyone needs someone to tell them every once in a while that their work is important and that what they're doing is valued. And if the national health system isn't going to do it, I think Peace Corps workers and NGO's are great folks to step in and lend a helping hand. Some people refer to us as catalysts, but I think cheerleader is more appropriate. I'll have to pick up some pom-poms when I'm in the States.