Ariela weighs in

Here are some comments from Ariela. She is the undergrad student from Mich. that came along . She's been unbelievably helpful and a fantastic travel companion. So I'll cut and paste her comments below.

I’m sitting in a long room swollen with Matrones to twice is capacity; two ceiling fans are feebly trying to dissipate the intense heat and humidity of the hot season in southern Mali. Around me are 38 matrones, each dressed in beautiful pagnes of intense colors and patterns, beautiful embroidery and matching head scarves- it is obvious that they put quite a bit of effort into their appearance at this, the second day of the first matrones stage. As I write this, the matrones are discussing the needs of the newborn; both the basics as well as which practices are most beneficial. Each woman is called on in turn to read out loud the French slides, which are then discussed heatedly in Bambara. Some stumble with the French, after all, their first language is usually Minianka, then Bambara and then French. They discuss and debate, growing more confident and willing to ask questions and acknowledge that they are unsure about the specifics of a process: they want to know, it’s pretty incredible to see how intent they are, how they yearn for this knowledge. It’s also shocking how much they do not know. After these three days, they will return to their small village en brousse, and continue their work, independently (or with the help of a traditional birth attendant) delivering and caring for the pregnant women of the village. It’s obvious that these matrones get how important and rare an opportunity this is for them- and things are coming up that remind me of how much work is yet to be done. These women are all here, engaged, and the matrone leader from the department is taking charge of this entire training and seems fully in-step with the importance of these days. However, the slides are speaking of the steps of care these women are supposed to follow, even though the women lack the tools and equipment to perform them.

It’s incredible to me that this world of matrones opened up to me only four days ago, I could swear it’s been at least three weeks. Time moves slowly here in Koutiala. Before the trip I was so nervous and excited, realizing that I really had very little idea of what I was getting into. I am so glad that this was possible, and that now I am here, sweating and listening for the few French words code-switched with Bambara. It does not cease to amaze me how well children are integrated into these women’s’ lives. Some breastfeed while taking notes and listening to the lecture, babes passed out happily bundled on their mothers backs in a pagne or towel, a small lump of baby. The children of Mali rarely part from their mothers, and this stage is no exception. Some of the matrones are pregnant, most have left older children at home, this stage, these trainings are so vital, for the wellbeing of women and their babies at the highest risk, isolated and working with a lack of equipment. These matrones know how much rests in their hands.