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Three Achuar birth attendants completed a second round of birth apprenticeships earlier this month, getting more hands-on birth experience and learning remedies and techniques from other indigenous traditions.
Increased training and leadership are crucial as Jungle Mamas expands to two new communities in September and partners on an exciting new health initiative through Ashoka Changemakers.
Hands-on Training for Achuar Birth Attendants
Earlier this month, three Achuar birth attendants from the Pumpuentsa and Kurintsa communities completed a second round of birth apprenticeships at Clinica la Primavera, just outside Quito, Ecuador.
The clinic takes a humanist approach, placing the experience of empowerment in birth back within the woman and the newborn baby.
This time our participants were able to get more hands-on with births in the clinic. They each were present for five births, two of which they attended from start to finish, including receiving the newborn baby!
Learning from Indigenous Birth Traditions
At the clinic, they learned various herbal remedies from other indigenous traditions in the Andes, and techniques for creating a birthing environment that is peaceful for the mother.
Many of these techniques focused on how to approach a birth without negativity or stress, and continue to work with the mother throughout the birth process in a way that is both respectful and empowering.
Bringing Safe Births to New Communities
In other news, we are currently working towards putting together 25 safe birth kits for Safe Birth and Family Health workshops in September, to be held in two new communities, Curinua and Tsunkintsa.
We are also currently in the process of working on an Ashoka Changemaker “Making More Health” Initiative. Watch for our announcement if we make it to the next phase of funding, when you’ll have an opportunity to vote for our initiative!
