Until yesterday, our Promotores had to learn childbirth techniques through PowerPoint slides and lectures.  We recently invested in a birthing manikin so the Promotores could learn midwifery in a more realistic way.  The manikin allows them to experience breech, cord wrap presentations, as well as how to deliver twins and what to do if the entire placenta does not deliver.  We had a crowd of fascinated students surrounding each practice.  The EMTs, ambulance personnel, police and the other Promotores each got at least one turn delivering a baby.

Nuestro nuevo maniquí de parto

Hasta ayer nuestros promotores tenían que aprender técnicas de atención de parto (mas)

Katie Smith, Tia’s first VEA (Volunteer Expedition Adventurer), has not wasted a moment of her time with us.  Last weekend, she counted gloves, masks and syringes, then assembled our medical kits. This week, she assisted the brigade with their free consultations in the villages, even digging into her own pocket to buy them water, gatorade and snacks.  This week has been very hot and humid.  She has participated in our Promotores training course, both as a student and as ‘patient’ for them to practice on.  She’s learned CPR, how to give injections, as well as bandaging.  Today, she will learn midwifery, using the new birthing manikin Tia was able to purchase, thanks to our generous donors.  We couldn’t ask for a more energetic and motivated VEA than Katie!

We were very honored to have four members of the Tuxcueca municpal police force sign up for our course.  They are often the first on the scene of an accident and want to be of help before the paramedics arrive.  In addition, they will be able to treat victims right away when they are out on a domestic violence call.  The police were very diligent during the class, always on time, asking questions and taking notes.

Here is some gratuitous cuteness for the friends of Tia.  During our free village consultations, we were making house to house calls and one call was at small ranch where a litter of pigs had just been born hours before our arrival.  Our founder, Laura, could not resist holding one of the piglets!

Our project in Tuxcueca will see some changes to the medical kits.  We are adding ampules of Hydrocortisone (above) which are great for addressing emergencies such as scorpion stings, severe allergic reactions or asthma attacks.  Also, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Michael Castillo and our friends at Arizona Neuromodulation Center, the Promotoras will also receive plenty of donated packets of Betadine (below) for wound care.

Tizapan El Alto really made the most of Tia’s project there!  Instead of each Casa de Salud (mini-clinic) being staffed once or twice a month for a few hours, now every day the residents can receive care.  Our Tia Promotoras take turns staffing the clinic and the municipal doctors are providing monthly continuing education and resupply to keep the learning going and ensure sustainability.  The people of Tizapan will be helping us next month in the neighboring municipality of Tuxcueca, so the new project can be as successful as this one has proven.