6/22: Patel

We all got up at 6 am, after realizing through the night, how very spoiled we are to be able to sleep on mattresses and sponges here in the Phil!! It is an art to sleep on the mats, and was hard for us, as we only had 1 night to get used to it.

We found out the next morning that there was a birth in the Bukid during the night, which might explain why the dogs were having a barking party at 1 am!  There are roosters all over the place here, & though their crowing might be appreciated once at dawn, I rather felt like making Chicken Stew by morning!! :)

We had Rice, Beefloaf (canned beef) and Tomatoes, Sardines, Various Meats, & Eggs for breakfast, and then took pictures:

Ronie & Baby Keziah

LtoR: Ate´ Mary Jean, me, 2 healthworkers, Christina, our Hostess, Mary, and 3 little boys :)

This dog reminded me of Homer - Samuel's new hunting dog!!!

We left Langan in 2 trips (Jordan, Genivive, and baby went first), because we had 2 bikes instead of 3.  It was a 15 minute ride, and I was chosen to ride in the front (sidesaddle). Riding in the front for me, was the hardest of the 3 positions to get used too, as you have to sit very straight. If you lean to one side, you'll be leaning on the handle (which would be disastrous), and if you leaned the other side, you'll block the driver's view of the road (which is something you DON'T WANT to happen...). :)

Near Patel, we had to walk for a while, because the hard rains had made the already steep descent very muddy, & the gully was a very flooded and swollen stream.

Genny (Jeanie) - Willa's (midwife) brother - 1 of our drivers

Entering Patel (the health center is the large building on the right)

Once we got there, we pretty much immediately started the Health Teaching, which was the same as yesterday, with a few tweaks added. We had heard that there were Filipino Soldiers in the hills, traveling from village to village, etc., but we were still a little surprised to see them in Patel.

Most of them gathered around for the health teaching, & we had to laugh afterwards, knowing that we taught them how to wash their hands to the tune of 'Happy Birthday'....Oh the joys of being a midwife!!!

Teaching about Anemia

Teaching about Edema and Preeclamsia (I am 'trying' to fit a ring on my finger, but since I have 'edema' :), it won't fit!)

We conducted more than 50 prenatals (including around 6 late stragglers that came when we were trying packing up to go home!!), and lots of baby checks/vaccinations, before eating a late lunch.

The guys often make the meals here....and it's really good too!! They're very supportive of us midwives.

Keziah in her 'cradle'

Afterwards, Jordan and I walked down to the river, and waded in it's muddy shallows...delightful!! I found a beautiful green rock... We then climbed around and took pictures.

On the beach

Guys fixing/building a house

A Caraboa

All the guys made me take a picture of this one alone....I guess he was shy... 

Pretending to be midwives (notice all the materials on the table.

Our medical team, Patel's health workers, and some guys.

We left at 3:55pm to go home, & this time fit everyone on 2 bikes. It started raining, but thankfully, never started drenching us. I rode on the front of Ronie's bike again, & after a while, it became completely comfortable. We (our bike) sang songs, learned new ones, called out Hellos to the people we passed, laughed a lot, & helped buy dinner (squash & eggplant).

We got to walk up the same hill & stream that we did yesterday, & Jordan almost lost my sandal in the water....that would have been interesting, to say the least!!!

Getting another motorcycler to help take us home (10 minutes from home!!)

Once we got home, we ate dinner: Rice, Squash, and Veggies, & went to bed.