I finally got some pictures up. Internet (let alone anything fast enough to upload an image or video) is hard to come by here in Pursat. Hopefully you'll enjoy this update, I had to work hard to make it! =D
I was privileged to be a part of a focus group with 12-14 TBAs at a health center here in Pursat Province, Cambodia. When we showed up, it was pouring rain hard and all these 60-80-something women were all waiting patiently inside on the floor. They were just beaming with wisdom.
This woman greeted us (that's Miss Panak with me, she's the Assistant Director for RACHA in Pursat Province) in traditional Khmer fashion and shared a story about a pregant woman she heard about in her village who gave birth in a rice field while she was working and he the baby in her pants while trying to walk out of the rice field!! Yikes!!!
The Ministry of Health and RACHA have developed a wonderful relationship with these TBAs through exhibitions of respect and training sessions. All of these TBAs wholeheartedly stated that the health centers and hospitals are the ideal place for a woman to give birth due to possible obstetric complications. They also receive a small cash bonus for every birth they refer to the health facilities.
Here's a video of an adventure of mine coming back from church last week -- http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5754722944766258461&hl=en
Can't wait to hear more of your adventures too!
Grant
