Last Days in Umpiem

So last week I finished trainings with CHEs on Friday.  We spent a few days on family planning and we had a lot of fun.  Lots of these pictures are of the group watching a video on IUD insertion and then playing the IUD models.  They were really excited at the possibility of ARC introducing these methods into their clinic.  Several of the female CHEs offered to be patients if I had any insertions to demostrate.  Unfortunately I only had demo models!

 

 

I finished with the last midwife session on Monday and also got to go thru a delivery with three of the them and everything went smoothly. They were very grateful for having the trainings and it was great to work with them.  Hopefully they will undergo FP competency-based trainings to add to their skill set.  The camp has several vocational training programs like cooking, sewing, agriculture so that the refugees can be trained to work while they live in Thailand but so that they also have skills for a job if and when they resettle.  Here are two pictures of Eh Paw and Snow who did the delivery with me (see the rain boots on the ground they use instead of throw-away booties to protect their feet).  Aye Aye Hwyate is in the second picture swaddling the newborn.  

I was soo sad to leave South Sudan last year.   I think it was a huge eye-opener for me under a lot more difficult of conditions so leaving was really bittersweet. This year--maybe its the vacation that was awaiting me-- I wasn't sad to finish but really just happy to have had this experience and excited  for changes to hopefully come to the camp.  

I am also really happy that I'm not heading straight home and getting to explore a bit.  Thailand, from the small amount I've seen so far, is incredible.  The people, the culture, the food, and the energy is great.  I just got to Chiang Mai today after a 4 hour drive from Umphang to the Tak bus terminal and then a 3 hour bus ride.  I celebrated my first day with a pedicure followed by a massage and facial.  Oh my Chiang Mai!  I'm seriously in heaven.  I know it sounds decadent but in the US I could have had dinner for more money.  

Tomorrow I'm going to tour the old city that's surrounded by a moat and gate and see some of the temples.  I'm reading a book by the Dalai Lama and might go to a yoga class tomorrow (when in Rome...).  Friday I'm super excited to be taking a full day cooking class at a local farm.  I should learn 6 dishes and get a cookbook so hopefully I can replicate some good stuff for yall when I get home!!

Will post some pictures soon!!  I'll be here till Sunday then fly through Bangkok to Krabi and the islands