Acupuncture Denver currently sponsors Selam's 4-year program at the Hamlin College of Midwives located outside of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Weema International was kind enough to send us an update about Selam:

Selam is super excited to start her second year at Hamlin College of Midwives! She was at home in Mudula, Ethiopia with her family for her summer break and is ready to return to Addis to study and to learn. Her dream is to become a midwife.

Her second year classes include pharmacology, pediatrics, psychology and breast feeding/infant nutrition. However, her favorite course is "Building Midwives' Skills", the hands-on, interactive sessions as well as clinical practice working directly with patients.

In May 2013 Selam responded to these questions -- and demonstrated her growing proficiency in English!

Why do you want to become a midwife?

I am interested in this profession because in my community maternal mortality is very high because of the lack of professional midwives. I can reduce this [high mortality rate] by learning this profession, and I will enjoy this profession.

What do you want to say to the people who are supporting you?

Really thank you so much for giving me  this opportunity. I have no words to express my gratitude. But I say to you, "Thank you so much!"

In rural Ethiopia, only 3% of deliveries are attended by skilled professionals and the lifetime risk of dying in childbirth is 1 in 27. Yet most maternal deaths can be prevents if competent midwives assist women before, during, and after childbirth. As Dr. Hamlin says: "A midwife for every woman!"

Weema International wants to thank Acupuncture Denver and its community for supporting Selam at the Hamlin College of midwives. Because of your support, Selam will fulfill her dreams and will save lives.

Please also watch these two great video clips of Selam here and here.