#OrganizationOfTheWeek – A Look at AMESF
This week, we’re talking with Justine Rizzo, president of the Montpellier Midwifery Students’ Association (AMESF). Goals, initiatives, and dedication—find out everything you need to know about this association in this interview!
In a nutshell, what is AMESF?
AMESF is the student association for the midwifery program in Montpellier. Our goals are to represent midwifery students, provide services and recreational activities for our members, and organize solidarity and humanitarian initiatives. To this end, we are part of several networks of student organizations. First, at the local level with AGEM, the General Association of Montpellier Students, and also at the national level with ANESF, the National Association of Midwifery Students.
What activities or initiatives do you organize throughout the year?
Several projects mark the course of our year, some for entertainment—such as the End-of-Year Gala or the Concert en rose—while others, like the latter, are charity events benefiting the Naître en Rose association.
Throughout the year, we also organize several charity events where our members can volunteer to help us staff booths. During “Pink October,” we raise awareness about breast cancer and collect donations for the organization “Cancer du sein, Parlons en !” We also participate in the Telethon and Sidaction.
This year, a new project was launched for the first time: the “Endometriosis” project. It is particularly close to our hearts because this disease is not well known, yet it affects about 10% of women. We visited several faculties in Montpellier to meet with many students and faculty members who aren’t necessarily in the health field (the Faculty of Sciences, Paul Valéry University, and the Faculty of Sports Science and Physical Education). We were able to raise awareness about this condition through flyers, quizzes and games, and an informational display. We wrapped up the week by organizing a “film screening and discussion” event at the Faculty of Medicine on this topic. Following a short film, a discussion took place between various healthcare professionals (a midwife and a gynecologist) and the audience. We were thus able to raise awareness about this condition and also raise significant funds for research through the “EndoFrance” association.
Finally, we also partner with the Etablissement Français du Sang; every month, we raise awareness about donating blood, plasma, and bone marrow, and announce the various collection sites through our publications.
Why did you personally choose the midwifery program? In your opinion, what does the association offer students in this program?
What I love about being a midwife is being able to work in healthcare, to help families during a special time in their lives—such as the birth of a child—and to guide, support, and advise women throughout their lives. Being a midwife means having a wide range of skills and knowledge in gynecology, pediatrics, and obstetrics. This profession requires knowing women’s physiology inside and out and being able to detect even the slightest problem.
For its part, the association provides students in this program with support, activities, and an opportunity to explore various issues. It also allows them to participate in various community service and humanitarian projects, as mentioned earlier. The association offers support to both new students and upperclassmen in this program.
Why do you think people should join your organization?
Membership offers many benefits, which we have divided into several categories.
The Education Division |
The Entertainment Division |
The Student Services Center |
The Partnership Division |
The Representation Division |
The Solidarity Division |
| It allows us to set up a system for sharing notes and printing out course materials in paper format. We also place group orders for books and supplies for the workshops. | It allows members to participate in the events we organize and to enjoy special rates at certain restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in Montpellier. It’s also an opportunity to foster a sense of community through our events, such as the end-of-year gala. | It provides access to “SOS Nounou,” a system that connects midwifery students with parents looking for babysitters. We also offer the option to order vegetable baskets at affordable prices. | It allows our members to get discounted prices from our association's partners | It allows students to stay informed about the various discussions and training sessions organized by AGEM and ANESF and to participate in them. | It entitles members to participate in all the activities we carry out, such as those mentioned above. |
How do I sign up? 
By paying the €10 membership fee at the AMESF office on the Arnaud de Villeneuve Campus, located at 641 Avenue du Doyen Gaston Giraud, Montpellier 34090.
Starting this year, any student—regardless of their major—can join our association. While they don’t have access to all the same benefits as midwifery students, they’re welcome to attend our social events, share their ideas, or get involved in our various projects, for example!
A few words about the 2020–2021 executive board?
We have complete confidence in the next generation; there are some wonderful things in store, and we can't wait for them to bring all their projects to life!
In the meantime, you can find us on all our social media platforms!
Facebook: AMESF – Montpellier Association of Midwifery Students in Montpellier
Instagram: amesf_sfmtp
Snapchat: amesf_sfmtp
Twitter: AMESF_SFMTP
