Maternal and Newborn Care - Solwezi

On May 17th we drove 10 hours to Solwezi with our truck packed full of equipment for the Maternal and Newborn Care training for Midwives.  A group from Utah came to conduct the training and we just helped some.  It was a great trip and the training will result in saved mothers and babies here.  

A beautiful tree on our drive

We went through the Copperbelt where copper is mined and processed

On Sunday we were able to have Sacrament Meeting with some local members that live there in Solwezi (no branch).  They would like to form a Group there so they can meet each Sunday together and partake of the Sacrament. Two of the men were members but the rest were not yet members of the Church, excluding the folks from Utah.

On Monday, Grandma registering participants for the MNC training. 

Grandpa entering registration information into the computer.  

The Midwife organization started with this song about "There's no one like Jesus" 

then had an opening prayer.  It is so nice to see them freely sing, talk about, 

and pray openly about Christ and God.  

Sister Smith teaching a group about issues with the birthing process

Practicing with the Mama Natalie and Baby Natalie.  They had to perform many steps within the first 60 seconds after birth if the baby was not breathing.  Dr. Stanley watching. 

Four leaders from the Midwife Association and 3 of the US team did the training for everyone.   Grandpa even learned a lot about birthing and babies.  Now I can deliver a baby in a car if needed (Hope that never happens!)

They are teaching how to help babies breathe.  Too many babies die because they aren't breathing and some midwifes sometimes don't know what to do or how to use the breathing aid equipment correctly.  

For the closing ceremony, they made up a song that had 3 parts.  First "What a Joy to Be a Mother",  "What a Joy to Have a Baby", then "What a Joy to Save a Life".  

Dr. Groberg with the Doctor representing the District of Health and
 Ruth, head of the MAZ organization at the closing ceremony.
The banner is the Midwives Association's goal. 

Closing Ceremony receiving certificates of completion

The team from Utah and the Midwives.  These midwives are from all over the Province. They will each train at least 10 more Midwifes in their areas.  The Church gives them all the training supplies including the Mama and Baby Natalies.

Another song they started the day off with about keeping the Golden Rule

On the last two days, students from the local nursing college came and were trained by those who had been trained at the first of the week.  It really cements their knowledge and training skills. 

This sweet lady was preparing dinner just outside the training room.
It was held at a Lodge.

Just waiting their turn...  If they only knew!!!

We also were able to visit their hospital.  This boy was in a room with about 6 other little children (he looked the worst of all).  When I took his picture, then the mothers of all the other children wanted me to take their pictures too, even if their little one was sleeping.  The Hospitals in Zambia do not provide any food for the patient so a member of the family usually sleeps and cooks outside for them.   But the team from Utah said the hospital had a lot of the same equipment, just not as nice and modern perhaps.