Nancy’s work is helping to fight an enormous problem in Guatemala’s rural areas … mothers and newborns dying from a range of shortcomings … training, medical care, and clean water. Guatemala in on Mexico’s southern border, and it’s one of the poorest countries in Latin America. The population includes indigenous peoples (mostly Mayan) and Ladinos (a mix on indigenous and Spanish). The gross national income is just $5,120 a person, and 21% of the population lives on under $1 a day. 41% of those dying are under five years old. The government Ministry of Health is not much help; doctors can at best take care of 20% of the population. And there’s a long-held prejudice against the indigenous peoples. Infant and maternal mortality rates are extremely high. And the statistics aren’t reliable. And most of the patients and staff are illiterate and don’t speak Spanish. Not an easy problem. Nancy’s work (25 trips since 2005) is to train trainers … show native people the basics of birthing and maternal and newborn care in a culturally sensitive manner. They use mannequins to demonstrate. The overall goal is to develop a corps of indigenous midwives who know the culture and know how to deliver basic medical care related to childbirth. Noble work in a very challenging environment. |  |
