Each week, moms come to us from any of the 28 villages surrounding this town. We know they often travel hours to get here. First walking an hour or more to a “main road” (one you need 4 wheel drive to navigate), and then flagging down a truck for another hour into town crowded in with other travelers.

Last week we had the opportunity to go and visit some of our families. We took a list of 8 names to try and find some of our patients from the same community.

Imagine trying to find families in the north with just a list of names, and stopping at random homes to ask around??!!

Well, it worked.

We drove about an hour, and stopped to ask directions- at the house along the road. As it happens, one of our former patients lived at this house and was proud to show us her child who was now a strong 2-year-old!

She confirmed that several of the names lived further on, and gave directions reminiscent of my family’s time in West Virginia- “keep going until about a mile before the old dam- the spot where the fence broke down”; or “just past the old willow that burned down 5 years ago, take a left”.

In such a time, it is helpful that our team includes not only someone who knows the local language, but who grew up in this area for whole those directions make sense!

On we drove to an open area where even I could tell- this was a landmark! One meaning we had gone too far. So we waited for someone to pass that we could ask for help, and eventually headed back some.

That’s when one of our patients found us! Her house was near the road, so she showed us where we could park, and we went up for a visit.

Her girls were curious and playful as we did a prenatal check. This would be one month this mama would not have to venture down the mountain just for a visit! Oh, and these little girls will soon have a baby brother to play with!

We visited with our friend learned about how things were going for her family. She was also very knowledgeable about where our other moms were and was able to direct us to most of the others!

Her house was just by the footpath off of the road!

Long moments were taken getting directions with a “K’at ek S’cum” telling us to keep straight on. We could actually see several of the houses from her home as the mountains yield clear views of distant destinations.

We left the truck safely near her house, and with the gift of some juice, we walked on- away from the road.

And yes, this is the actual picture of our destination- our families off in the distance!

You have to go down before you can go up.

So down we went, and onward. Soon we passed a few ladies along the footpath- one of whom had also been a patient of ours!

They also directed us further on.

Finally we found our second mom! She is in her final month, so saving her this trip down the mountain is a pretty big deal.

How do these ladies do this? We were tired from just walking, and they do this every day, even 8 months pregnant!

This friend too shared how life was going for her family before pointing us further along the way.

The next house to ask directions from was empty, so on we went.

Finally finding our final mom of the day.

She did not have space to receive us inside, so hers was an ultrasound laying on the ground.

After this trek, maybe it makes sense why so many of our moms have such lovely blood pressures! Low from daily exercise in the mountains.

Now we also see the added benefit of one fewer trip into town!

After this visit, we were surprised to realize we could still see the truck!

It was way over, and far up, but still visible!

Can you see it?

So back we hiked to get return to the truck and the hour drive home beyond.

So many moms come each week.

It was impactful to see how far they must travel. And visiting was encouraging to them and to us.

We hoped they might feel seen and valued by such a house call.