There was a large family reunion and birthday party on March 11 to celebrate the return home of Vienna Moilliet from the Philippines after being away for 2 1/2 years.
Moilliet went to the Philippines to learn to be a midwife and missionary. She heard about the program through a friend when she was 15 and it became her dream.
She was registered in the U.S. National College of Midwifery. In the Philippines it was under New Life International which helped students meet clinical requirements.
There were two clinics, one in the north and one in the south. There were six students but only Moilliet and another girl were sent north to the province of Kalings, in the capital city of Tabuk. The clinic was called Abundant Grace of God Maternity Centre. The students lived, studied, and worked in the same building.
Moilliet delivered her first baby on March 14, 2015, with her supervisor's hands over hers. That and being asked to deliver the baby of one of the midwives were two of her most memorable events.
In mid October Typhoon Lawin hit the Philippines. They lost all of their power, internet, and cell phone service but their building was fine. Everything was flooded. They were lucky that no women went into labour.
During her stay, Moilliet enjoyed the Filipino food. There was plenty of rice because it fills you up. Her favorite meal was chicken adobo, which was made of chicken, potatoes, lots of soya sauce, and served over rice. The students made their own breakfasts.
Moilliet will go to Arlington, Washington, in June where she must deliver 10 babies as the primary care deliverer. She must go to the States because it's an American program. Then she must take her final board exam in the U.S.
Her future plans are to go back to the Philippines to help women out of sex trafficking. She does want to be here with her family for next Christmas though.
When Moilliet and her fellow student graduated in the Philippines they were given a grad dress made out of the traditional Kalinga fabric and colors. The dresses were a gift from all of the clinic staff.
The Philippines is a texting culture. Everyone has a phone and uses it to text each other instead of face to face. The people would text for water, a doctor's visit, etc. This is how Moilliet keeps in touch with her new friends.
Students have St. Patrick’s Day fun
On March 17, a leprechaun wreaked some havoc on its midnight outing at Vavenby Primary School. The children cleaned it up to find their next clue. They eventually got doughnuts and found an electric pencil sharpener.
The students were dressed in green and understood that St. Patrick got rid of all the snakes in Ireland. During the week they made shamrocks and one student came up with the idea of putting in a pot of gold.
In the morning, for gym time, the students did Irish dancing the whole time. They were very good at it.
After lunch they were having an unstructured party where they would have some free time and go back to the gym for more dancing. They would also get their cupcakes with green icing that one of the moms had baked and smoothies that another mom supplied.