Live birth

A few weeks ago I got to experience the bus ride from hell. I was coming back to Sikasso after getting a Ghana Visa in Bamako. I got to the bus station at 2:30 pm and was told we’d be leaving at 3:30. So I bought my ticket and waited. By 4 we hadn’t left and when I asked I was told to sit for a little bit longer and soon we’d leave. At 5, people with large luggage were called to stand by the bus; however the luggage wasn’t loaded until after 7. We finally pulled away after 9 pm! Of course I was already livid considering I’d been flat out lied to, but the troubles had just begun. At midnight, about halfway between Bamako and Sikasso, the bus broke down. Some guy kept going and coming with the battery, apparently trying to fix it, but it never worked. By 8 am, after a restless night of attempting sleep and sitting next to a guy named Jubilee who kept humming what sounded like the dreary song the band played in Titanic while the ship was sinking, the bus still wasn’t fixed. I was able to hitch a ride with a French guy who’s lived in Mali for twenty years, and eventually got to Sikasso by 11 am.

Other than that horrible experience, things in Mali have been just fine the last month. I’ve been busy the last week and a half painting a big World Map on one of the walls at the school. Two other volunteers came to help a bit, and I let the school kids’ paint in the countries and oceans. It’s been a fun project and everyone’s been really enthusiastic about it.

I had a final AIDS presentation with the 9th graders a few weeks ago, and decided to do condom demonstrations, using a banana. It turned out great, even after the banana busted halfway through the demonstrations! The kids were really into it and two girls even voluntarily came up to do the demonstrations themselves. If I’d have had enough condoms, I think half the boys would’ve volunteered. Since then I’ve had a few kids stop by to pick up pamphlets that I have available with more info on HIV/AIDS. It was really encouraging to see some kids so excited about learning more about the disease.

This past week Solika and I have been going to other villages in the commune for vaccinations/baby weighings, and I’ve been doing porridge demonstrations in them as well. Overall, they’ve gone well although I think the mothers end up drinking more of the porridge than their babies, which kind’ve defeats the purpose. As for other health stuff, I saw my first live birth on Thursday! The baby weighings had finished for the day in Kourouma, just as a pregnant woman showed up to the maternity. The entire process, from her entering the maternity to weighing the baby after it was born, took less than 30 minutes! The mother came in and she was in a lot of pain, so my homologue gave her a shot to speed the contractions. I left and when I came back shortly afterwards, the mother had begun pushing and the baby pretty much just slid out! It was interesting comparing this Malian birth to American births. Not that I’ve ever seen a live birth in the States, but I know it’s an extremely sacred and emotional event. Here in Mali, the new father stood outside the maternity the whole time. After the birth the baby was carried into a rest/recuperation room. The father didn’t even ask to see the baby, or ask whether it was a boy or girl. Not that he doesn’t care or isn’t a good dad – it’s just different. Giving birth is a normal, everyday thing. Most new mothers themselves rest for no more than twelve hours and then they’re back at home, probably washing clothes and cooking.

My mom is really creative and has been making special UNC dolls to give to little kids in Kourouma. I gave the most recent doll to my friend Maminatta’s daughter, Sanata. Sanata is only 9 months old, but I thought she’d still be able to play with the doll, and has on older sister with whom she can share it. Anyway, when I first gave the doll to Sanata, she was confused and didn’t really know what it was. So Maminatta whipped out her breast and put the doll to it, to show Sanata that the doll is like a little baby!

Well that's it from here. The next time I post will be after the Griffis family is together in Mali. If you haven't been able to tell, I'm so excited about seeing my family I pretty much freak out every day! Send me comments, send me emails and I hope you all are well!

Anna