Phil Borges » Tarahumara

One HEART continued – Students Taking Action

Phil Borges — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 18:35:53 +0000

When One HEART decided to begin its program to address maternal mortality with the indigenous Tarahumara in Northern Mexico they contracted with Alisun Chopel to do a feasibility study for the program. Alisun was a student working on her Masters Degree in Public Health at UC Berkeley. She applied for an internship with One HEART got a scholarship to cover her expenses and headed for Mexico. Alisun spent 2 months living in the Sierra Tarahumara meeting with the local health workers and Parteras (traditional birth attendants) to see what their needs were and how One HEART’s methodology could fit into the Tarahumara cultural context. In doing so she not only gained an invaluable life experience, but fulfilled the requirements for her master’s thesis.

Suzy consulting with Tarahumara mothers

Alisun’s findings prepared the way for Suzy Messer another university student who is currently pursuing her Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Maternal Health through Boston University’s School of Public Health. Suzy is now the Field Coordinator for the rollout of One Heart’s pilot program in Chihhuahua, Mexico and is using her work there to complete the requirements for her master’s in Public Health.

Suzy visiting villages in the Tarahumara

As I’ve been speaking around the country on women’s issues for the last few years, many university students have come up to me and asked how they could get involved. Like most students they didn’t have money to donate but they wanted to do something. One of the most exciting parts of the Stirring the Fire website is the call to action that offers a myriad of ways — like working with organizations like One HEART — to support women and girls around the world.

When you get a chance check out Take Action on our website with its searchable database of organizations.

One HEART continued – Miso

Phil Borges — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:28:56 +0000

For cross-cultural global health programs it’s critical to ensure that there is compatibility between the values of the program and the recipient culture. Since most Tarahumara women live several hours or days away from the nearest clinic or hospital they suffer one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in North America. Of course it would be ideal if the women were giving birth in clinics or hospitals but women hesitate to make the long and difficult trip–especially if labor has started. They typically end up having their babies alone or with an untrained birth attendant. Part of One HEART’s plan is to conduct a maternal health education program for the local Parteras (traditional birth attendants) and give them a few basic items like sterile blades to cut the umbilical cord.

Teresa, local Partera

Ninety percent of the women who die in childbirth do so because of postpartum hemorrhage. Administering drugs like Oxytocin to women who are having postpartum bleeding causes the uterus to contract and very effectively stops the bleeding. Unfortunately, Oxytocin has to be kept refrigerated. Another very effective drug for post partum hemorrhage, Misoprostol, does not need refrigeration and is very inexpensive—therefore an ideal drug for the Parteras to have on hand. Unfortunately, because ‘Miso’ can also be used to induce an abortion, it has not been allowed to be used in the heavily Catholic Tarahumara Sierra.

Arlene Samen the executive director of One HEART traveled to Mexico City to see if she could get the ban on ‘Miso’ lifted in the Tarahumara Sierra if proper precautions against misuse were taken. The Mexican authorities who have been extremely welcoming to One HEART are taking Arlene’s request into consideration. If approved it will be a huge victory for the Tarahumara women and their families.

One HEART in Northern Mexico

Phil Borges — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:04:06 +0000

I recently returned from the Copper Canyon located in the Sierra Tarahumara in Northern Mexico where I was documenting the work of the non-profit organization One HEART as they address the high rate of infant and maternal mortality among the indigenous Tarahumara. There are about 70,000 Tarahumara Indians—or Rarámuri—scattered throughout the Sierra living in natural shelters such as caves or cliff overhangs, as well as small cabins of wood or stone.

The Rarámuri are best known for their tradition of long distance running up and down the steep canyon trails. Some of their races, which they run in sandals or barefoot, last for days. In fact the Rarámuri are hosting their annual Ultra Marathon on March 7th. I was told that they hunt deer by chasing the animal until it drops from exhaustion.

The One HEART team was welcomed by the Rarámuri with one of their special ritual Yumaré fiestas which lasted all night. Two goats were sacrificed and the women brought ceramic jars filled with tesguino (corn-based beer) that is consumed in many Rarámuri rituals.

Around 4 am I managed to get an hour of sleep before it began to get light. Although the women did drink a little it was the men who really let their hair down.

The music and dancing went on all night and as dawn broke it was mainly the women who were left standing.

I have found that preconceived story lines almost always take an unexpected turn and this one certainly has. If you have seen previous post on One HEART you are aware that I started working with them in Tibet. This documentary which I originally thought would portray a successful approach to maternal mortality on the Tibetan Plateau now looks like it will be about the political and cultural hurdles one faces when trying to address issues like maternal and infant mortality in the developing world. The Mexican Government is very receptive to One HEART’s work, however, the drug wars in Northern Mexico and cultural issues with the Rarámuri may pose special problems as One HEART tries to establish its program. For cross-cultural global health programs it’s critical to ensure that there is compatibility between the values of the program and the recipient culture. I hope to document the process One HEART goes through to become aware of and bridge the Rarámuri cultural beliefs and values with our western medical traditions. I will continue to post more about the One HEART story as it unfolds.