Every May or June we visit the practicing matrones (Traditional Birth Attendants) to see how they are doing and distribute the supplies they need to get through the rainy season otherwise known as the malaria season. This is our biggest problem and the only cause of maternal mortality in the last five years. We distribute mosquito nets, fansidar and all the other meds the matrones need based on the number of patients they have. 
These women who live in some of the world’s harshest conditions, who are illiterate and never had any formal training in anything except ours–are heroic. Imagine the hard work of delivering a baby–in a tent–using a flashlight–no running water–trying to keep the sterile blades and cords we buy for them sterile–and keeping statistics. It is breathtaking what they do. And we had no maternal mortalities. Our next mission will be in November to get the annual statistics and see how we are doing. It breaks my heart that I can no longer be there with them…but politics prevent it.
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