The Midwife
Ms. So Sophorn was born to a rural farming family in Kompong Thom province, Cambodia. But she dreamed of doing something different with her life. Through hard work and dedication, she became a midwife. At 31, she is now the mother of two children and practices as a midwife at a local health centre.
When Sophorn learned of a training opportunity through the TOGETHER project, she decided to seize it.
TOGETHER: Improving Health Care Services
The uniting Towards Gender Equality for enjoyment of women’s and girls’ Total HEalth and Rights (TOGETHER) project, with generous support from Global Affairs Canada, works with remote and indigenous communities in Cambodia, Kenya, the Philippines, and Uganda to ensure that the most vulnerable people in these areas can exercise their health-related human rights.
Very often, these most vulnerable individuals are women and girls. In settings far removed from major urban areas, access to quality health care is one of many challenges faced by girls and women.
TOGETHER is addressing this issue by increasing access to health care while also ensuring its quality. The project’s trainings inform and empower healthcare providers, social workers, and educators to deliver inclusive health and nutrition services to their clients.
Empowerment Leads to Better Services
Sophorn attended the trainings on Reproductive and Sexual Health Counseling and Nutrition Counseling. Through the trainings, she gained new skills and knowledge. Sophorn was moved to change her speech and behaviour when counseling her clients and others in her community.
She has seen the difference it makes. The clients who come for services are more satisfied and confident in her daily services.
Sophorn expressed her happiness, stating, “ADRA made me brave and confident and respectful to clients. I now have new knowledge and skills. I’m confident the people will enjoy the services at the health centre.”
Sophorn hopes to participate in more trainings related to midwifery and nursing. She especially would like trainings in advanced counseling and mental health.
Sophorn shares her gratitude to those who make this work possible. The trainings have provided amazing opportunities for her and other healthcare providers to build their capacity and improve their service delivery. This, in turn, ensures the most vulnerable can better enjoy their health-related human rights.
