Birthing in the Amazon
Living and Working amongst the Kichwa People in the Ecuadorian rainforest.
I had hoped to get this posted a couple of days ago but my moon came and asked me for deep rest, which I honored. Of course, the Universe had it all figured out because there is no more perfect day for this news to be shared. Today, August 9th, is World Indigenous People's Day, a day for us to honor all of the indigenous cultures that have come before us. These people and their cultures are still preserved in small pockets throughout the world and it is our duty to hold sacred the knowledge they keep for humanity. I believe that returning this knowledge back to the collective is how we will heal the planet, through a great remembering. That is exactly what this voyage is to me, an invitation to return to the earth and walk alongside people who STILL know her and honor her.
Where I’m Going and What I’m Doing
The Mamas (Midwives) of the Kichwa people in the Sábata Community of Archidona, Ecuador, have been working to provide FREE care to the women and children of their village. Over 30 years ago, they built their ancestral hospital and birth center. Many of these native people are severely impoverished and would otherwise not have access to this loving traditional care. Prior to 2020, this birth center was funded by the Red Cross. Due to world events, funding had to be reallocated elsewhere, leaving this birth center on the brink of closure. Through the hard work of the local women and passionate volunteers, this center has remained open.
If you wish to help support these women and the preservation of their culture you can donate here! All donations are greatly appreciated.
Starting in October 2022, I will embark on a 3-month rotation in their birth center. While on this rotation, I will work alongside the Mamas as a volunteer midwife, learning their traditions and soaking up the knowledge they hold about nature and her healing powers.
Why I said Yes!
Mentorship and hands-on experience is a vital part of any great midwife’s development. My journey to midwifery has been all put typical, so it’s only right that this next step on my path be fittingly unique. My path is one of divine intervention and a series of unimaginable events that led me to where I am today. I had been calling-in a Mentor who had walked this path in the ways that I intend too - from the heart and grounded in radical sovereignty - since the beginning of this year. I had searched my local community and scoured the online communities searching for this Woman. Many of the elder midwives and their knowledge have been all but forgotten due to our cultural climate around the medicalization of birth and licensure. While these women do exist and I have had the privilege of studying under many of them, like Whapio and Sister Morning Star, my heart ached for a wise woman to walk alongside hand in hand. To witness with my own eyes and touch with my own hands the power of undisturbed birth. This rare opportunity to attend birth alongside these wise women and their ancient knowledge is a once in a lifetime experience for a young midwife.
Even a year ago, if you had told me I would be embarking on this journey it would make no sense to me at all. When I made the decision last Fall to take a leap of faith and dedicate my life to serving women, I had many ideas of what that future could look like. I had/have way more “unknowns” on this path than “knowns” but I never in a million years would have thought it would lead me to the Amazon Rainforest. You might even say the stars had to align perfectly for this to be possible for me.
Had I not had my career as an Engineer that allowed me to establish a significant savings, I wouldn’t have the financial means to take this time without an income.
Had I not had my motorcycle accident in 2017, I wouldn't have the ideologies around life and death that gave me the courage to take this big leap.
Had my Mom not coincidentally just moved in with me in my home this month, I would not have anyone to entrust with my house and my dogs on such short notice.
Had I booked out clients for winter 2022, I would have been obligated to stay in country and fulfill my agreements with them (this one was an edgy one if I’m being honest, I had started to doubt if I was on the right path).
If it hadn't been for the pandemic canceling my previously planned trips out of the country, I wouldn't have had the means to fund this trip.
And those are just some of the ways the Universe cleared this path for me and made this possible.
I found out about this opportunity less than 2 weeks ago randomly in a post on a Facebook group I’m a member of. Having no prior knowledge of it and not even knowing the person who posted, I decided to look it up. While exploring their website I felt my whole body light up, my skin got hot and I got goosebumps all over my body. It was like my Soul knew before I did that this is where I was meant to be. I immediately sent an email to the organizers asking to join and the next day they got back to me to set up an intake interview. Less than 2 weeks later I’m all in and set up to embark on this journey. This has been a huge confirmation for me in waiting for my full body YES and trusting in my higher power that all will be made clear in divine time. I hope that all people get to experience this type of ecstatic purposeful alignment in their lives.
That is my prayer for all of you!
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