Vashon Rotary supports health work in Myanmar

March 27, 2019 1:30 am
Colin Hennessey, Lin Holley, Eliza Steele and Heather Russell are the four islanders who went on the trip. They are pictured above, outside the hospital in Pindaya, Myanmar, along with others working on the project. (Courtesy Photo)
Colin Hennessey, Lin Holley, Eliza Steele and Heather Russell are the four islanders who went on the trip. They are pictured above, outside the hospital in Pindaya, Myanmar, along with others working on the project. (Courtesy Photo)

In January, four islanders who are members of Vashon Rotary traveled to Myanmar to see work the club is supporting through a grant-funded program called Drop of Milk. Vashon Rotary is the lead club for the project, which is working to address maternal and infant health, including improving the high infant mortality rate in the country.

Drop of Milk is an 18-month pilot project that includes training for midwives, many of whom work in remote locations, and provides important supplies and developmental screenings for infants and young children.

Three of the Rotarians who went provided an overview of their experiences at the Rotary meeting last week. Vashon representatives may make another trip to Myanmar before the close of the pilot project, Steele said.