CRY CAMBODIA - STUNG TRENG Waiting House In 2007, CRY obtained a substantial grant to support a new and very exciting project started by Mrs Marcia Hammond (CRY's representative in Cambodia) who was working through VSO with the Strung Treng Health Department. Marcia saw an urgent need to provide a “Waiting House” facility in an attempt to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity. The grant would fund the construction (typical Khmer style) and equipping of a new centre but, as a temporary arrangement, an existing building in Stung Treng was used for 5 months in 2007 which enabled the project to get started. This resulted in a significant reduction of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity - the figures speak for themselves! Maternal Mortality: 14(2006) 0(2007) Infant Mortality: 43(2006) 2(2007) Stillbirths: 31(2006) 9(2007) Those expectant mothers who live in the more remote regions need help to get to the waiting house and maternity hospital. Marcia and her team utilise mopeds which are often the only viable means of transport - and even then this can mean crossing wide fast-flowing rivers, especially in the rainy season. Now 250-300 at-risk pregnant women will be cared for annually in the Waiting House. Not only will poor women at risk have access to medical care, but the quality of midwifery services will be much improved generally. The programme will also increase health awareness and literacy through education for women in the Waiting House. It is now planned to replicate these Houses in other provinces at the request of the Cambodian Health Care Authority, in fact CRY has just won another grant to set up a similar project in adjacent province Preah Vihear. CRY is also supporting a silk weaving workshop which is providing an income for many poor mothers at risk as well as teaching them useful skills.