With the departure of midwife trainer Christina Kahlou from Belize in late July, Phase III of the Village midwife project came to a close. Twenty-two midwives have been trained and equipped to serve in their villages. Some have taken the initiative to learn more about health care so they can be called upon in their villages when there are medical emergencies. Continuing education sessions, “village visits” with each midwife, and the provision of basic supplies have been ongoing activities of the project. Some of the Phase III highlights have included the organization of a two-day “Annual General Meeting” for the midwife group along with Ministry of Health and other project collaborators, and, additionally, a series of 17 twice-weekly literacy classes for all midwives who wanted this help. Due to these classes all of the women have gained a much better grasp of the written language – both reading and writing. They are now able to fill out the birth forms required by the Ministry of Health and have gained self-confidence and greater self-esteem with their new abilities.

Christina Kahlou wrote about one of her many village visits: “We arrived in Jalacte after a morning driving over rough rain-drenched roads. We discussed the village meeting Eulaya had arranged and her objectives for it. She was clear that the Alcalde (village leader) wanted me to “ask the village women if we (she and Dolores, the new Jalacte midwives) were doing good work for the village . . . if they were happy with us.” The women were very appreciative of the care the midwives were providing in their villages. An older woman identifying herself as “one no longer having children” (she was in her late 40s) thanked the midwives for their work and commitment to the women of Jalacte. She mentioned that when she was pregnant there was “no help to turn to,” and that, “we are grateful Eulaya and Dolores are there for our daughters . . .” The meeting went very well. Eulaya also wanted me to ask her birth/prenatal health questions. She stood to answer each one to the room packed with over 30 women. Eulaya is confident and knowledgeable. I wanted Dolores to be highlighted as well, and she capably answered a question about the importance of immediate breast-feeding after birth. Eulaya (like several of the midwives) would like to be trained in the advanced skills of suturing and injections. She is also very eager to learn general health skills as villagers are already showing up at her door for these services.”

Due to an arrangement with the local hospital staff, midwives who are ready for and requesting training in advanced skills will be able to be taught in small groups at the hospital this fall. Plenty will also organize the next Annual General Meeting in January 2004.

We want to express our heartfelt thanks to Mary Kroeger, Christina Kahlou and literacy trainers Reva Kidd and Katie Townes for their great help and support for the midwives! Our sincere thanks also go to the Belize Ministry of Health, Daniele Agostino Foundation, the International Foundation, New Road Map Foundation, Trull Foundation, James R. Dougherty, Jr. Foundation, UNICEF, and our donors who earmarked funds to the midwife training project.