China

The majority of people who live in the remote Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture region of Western China are nomadic and migrate seasonally in small clusters of family units. Its isolation means that very few people have access to healthcare and education facilities.

Most pregnant women have no idea about their due date and do not know to look out for potential problems, such as the position of the baby. Travelling to the nearest hospital can take several days which means if there are complications during birth, the chance of survival for both mother and child is low.

Children in Crisis in China

Children in Crisis is supporting local organisation Jinpa to train young women to become midwives. Over 7 months, the young women are taught to read and write and learn basic healthcare, hygiene and sex education.

Once the training is completed they return to their communities and are able to teach others what they have learnt, assist with births and give advice to members of the community who come and visit them with illnesses.

• Since 2004, 100 young women from Dritog and Qumaleb have been trained and are now working in their communities.
• Starting in 2007, a further 50 women from Nangchen County, the most deprived area in China, are being trained
• Up to 50,000 people are already benefiting from the midwives' skills