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----- Original Message -----
From: jo hunter
Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2002 9:25 PM
Subject: Support East Timorese midwives Hi all,
I subscribed to the list about a week ago and have
enjoyed reading your discussions from the sidelines. What a wonderful forum to
exchange and educate!
My name is Jo Hunter, I coordinate Homebirth Access
Sydney (HAS), have 4 children under 6 years - 3 of whom were born at home, I am
currently educating myself a little further so that I may commence teaching
active birth classes in The Blue Mountains and I have worked as a
doula.
Congratulations to everyone who have worked so hard
to launch the NMAP... I speak with so many women who say that if it wasn't for
the cost (to them personally) they would birth their babies at home.
I am writing to pass on a message that has been fwd
to me by Maggie L-T regarding an event that has been organised in Brisbane to
raise money for East Timorese midwives.
You are invited to a Masked
party in Brisbane to raise funds for East Timorese midwives.
Venue: Bardon community hall, Simpsons Rd Bardon on Bowman Pk. Time: 8pm Date: 5th Oct, Saturday Dress: Mask + casual, preferably Asian and colourful To bring: $15 + small plate of food + BYOG Entertainment: Kransky sisters, Alison St. Ledger, Margret RoadKnight, Moto-Jap drumming, Micki Finn-African drumming,The firedance production co. & Songlines choir. Here is a bit
of background information regarding the situation these midwives find
themselves in -
During the uprising in Dili, a group of midwives lost their clinic as it was gutted by the militia. Moris Foun, their clinic, has since been reconstructed by volunteers, but has very little equipment. To obtain equipment, as they are a non government organization, they need to have funds raised . Also, the midwives don't receive a wage. A group called the Asia Pacific Supportive Collective, formed to support small non government organizations in East Timor and sanctioned by Kirsty Sword-Guzmao, will be handling the raised funds, forming the link to the midwives. At present both perinatal and maternal mortality rates are very high: 135 in 1000 neonates die in a period up to 1 year, and 8.5 in 1000 mothers are dying. There has already been a big box of
catheters, gloves etc. sent over to East Timor.
It's really a sad plight up there, so hopefully this little bit will help. So if you live in Brisbane, try
to get a group of freinds together..... it sounds like it will be alot of
fun.....the organisers have accrued a great cast for the
event.
Thanks and 'hi'
Jo
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