Sonam's story

Sonam is 19 years old and the middle of five children. She lives in the northwest part of Qumaleb County, an area of high altitude grassland, which is sparsely populated. The only life she has ever known is moving from one place to another to find grazing for the yaks. Sonam's family rarely meets up with villagers other than those in the two families who make up their cluster. No one in the group has ever had an education or can read or write. If anything has to be written down the village leader comes to visit and does this for the family.

There is neither school in the area nor health clinic. She was picked by her village to attend the Jinpa midwife training. When it was time to attend the course Sonam was very excited but also very frightened as she had never been away from her family before.

The day after the young women arrived they were shown how to wash themselves and how to wash their clothes. At home Sonam’s family only did this a few times a year but the girls learnt that cleanliness was important and would help prevent sickness. The staff taught the young women how to read and write and Sonam practised every day. After seven months of training she returned home, she has since returned to the Yushu region for refresher courses, “I only found out what I did not know when I returned home and so the Refresher Courses were very important”. Since being back her family have noticed how Sonam has changed, “she is more worldly, more self-assured, and most importantly she feels she can help her community”.

“I am particularly concerned with teaching women about STDs and how to stay clean. The women know where I am and know I am very pleased that they come to see me with their problems. I have seen nine pregnant women and helped with two births. Although I may not have answers to everything the villagers trust me and women feel calmer to have me there when giving birth. I think teaching women simple first aid techniques is very valuable as medical help is so far away. I am certain that simple things will save lives.”