In a hospital delivery room here, a 20-year-old woman on a rusty bed goes into labor surrounded by local midwives, known as "matrone."

Among them is Michiru Ukai, 28, sent to this West African country as a member of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers in March 2007.

In less than 30 minutes, a pair of tiny legs appear. The baby is in a breech position. A matrone desperately tries to pull the baby out, but it is a struggle. At last, the head emerges, but the baby is silent.