Midwifery Exchange Programs

We are presenting an opportunity for hands on midwifery training in Sénégal, West Africa. If you are a student, apprentice, or midwife looking to get more experience, this may be the program for you!

In November, we will lead a 3 ½ week program with 6 students and 2 supervisors to the village of Mboro in the Tukolor region, 2 hours north of the capital city of Dakar, along some of the most beautiful coastline in Sénégal. In January and March we will host 4 students and 1 supervisor in the lovely coastal village of Kafountine, Casamance in the southern Djolla region.  This is a full 4 week program.  There will be a NARM approved supervising midwife on all shifts with students to assist and sign off births.

Mboro Clinic

In Mboro there are three local maternities within 15 minutes of each other that we work in. They average 60-80 births per month and each have one large birthing room, an after care room, and two clinic rooms. Prenatals happen four days a week, and there is ample opportunity to gain experience in doing exams, including bi-manuals and vaccinations, as well as deliveries.  In Kafountine, the clinic is walking distance from the house and cell phones allow us to always be on call.  The Kafountine clinic averages between 40-60 births per month.  They also have a thriving organic garden in the back for additional income.

Read about one student's experience in Midwifery Today

Kafountine Clinic

Click to view Senegal 2010 photo gallery

We will strive to be of service to the women in these clinics, as well as learn from them and their culture. This is a unique opportunity to critically look at how culturally based assumptions affect our understanding of basic concepts of health and illness, passages of birth and death, causation of disease and care during pregnancy and postpartum. We ask everyone to keep a willing attitude and an open mind that is free of judgment and full of curiosity.

The fee for three weeks of invaluable birth experience is between $3100 and $3500 depending on airfare. Tuition includes: a copy of the Wolof Workbook for English Speakers, accommodations, three meals a day of traditional African cuisine, laundry, transportation, airfare from New York and medical supplies. The application fee is a non-refundable $30. Upon receipt of your application we will schedule a phone interview and if approved a deposit of $500 dollars will reserve your space. If all your payments are made on time this deposit will apply towards your tuition. On each program we do take two doulas or beginning students, preferably with French language skills.

Download the application

lease direct your calls and questions to:
Kaya Skye at 541-951-9995 or kaya.skye@africanbirthcollective.org

http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/africa_journey.asp