Apprentice / Volunteer Opportunities

 

Growing out of our many years working with Traditional Midwives  (TM's) in Guatemala and the many successful intercultural exchanges between North American midwives and TM's we are offering the unique opportunity to live and work with a community based Traditional Midwife.

These midwives have many years of experience and many are also very knowledgeable in the Guatemalan pharmacopia and have extensive knowledge of medicinal plants. They have all also taken our training and have worked with us attending births in our clinic in Antigua (which is now closed).

Students from the fields of midwifery, nursing, international women's health, anthropology, social sciences, women's studies, indigenous studies and gender studies have had very rewarding placements with these midwives.

All placements are within 45 minutes to 3 hrs from Antigua and are with a midwife that is active in her community attending births, providing prenatal and postpartum care and often provides consulting care and referral to other general health related needs in the community. Some midwives also do some community service work attending prenatal clinics for a local heath post. Because Guatemalan midwives attend few births (3-5 births/month on average), this is an experience of going deep with few births rather than rushing through many births. Traditional Midwives often arrive early at a birth and stay for hrs after the birth.

This is a unique opportunity (and not for everyone). 

Living and working with traditional midwives is an opportunity to see first hand the life of an indigenous rural midwife who is actively serving her community. Life is simple and often challenging.

......with little luxuries and often long hours working, this experience requires stamina and the ability to be sensitive to cultural differences.

REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY:

1) A solid middle level Spanish language ability (whereas some students have taken weeks of classes  before placement and can "get by" OK  .......our recommendation is to speak Spanish fairly well. It doesn't have to be perfect but proficient enough to be understood and not need translating.

2) Previous experience in women's health, birth, and travel is strongly encouraged. Whereas we have placed people with no experience, the ideal candidate is someone with some health and travel experience.

3) One month minimum required. We have had placements for up to 6 months.

4) $100 one time placement fee

5) $70/week for room and board to be paid to the Traditional Midwives at the beginning of the month or the week

APPLICATION FORM:

To Apply, complete the following information and click Send.

Note: All fields are required.

Name
Email address
Snail Address
Phone
Cell phone
Previous travel experience
List all previous pregnancy and related birth experience
Languages and level of competency
Previous Women's Health Experience
Academic or other Training Programs Attended
What motivates you to this experience?
What are you hoping to learn and get out of the experience?
What do you think you might have to offer to the experience?
What are you long term career goals and how would this experience enable those goals?
What is your health Status?
Do you have any special needs (dietary or health needs)
Dates of travel & any relevant travel plans before and after placement

WHAT TO BRING:

Clothing: The weather in Guatemala can be surprisingly cool, especially during the rainy season (May-Nov.) Therefore, along with lightweight, cotton, warm-weather clothes we recommend bringing a cotton sweater, lightweight jacket and warm wool/cotton socks for the cool nights. We also recommend bringing a pair of close-toed shoes. Nothing too funky or sexy, tattoos must be covered and facial piercings should be removed.

Bedding: Most homestays have bedding available and it is not necessary to bring. However, if you are particular about your sheets, pillow (they can be a little musty here), etc. it would be a good idea to bring them with you. Down pillows travel well.

Personal Care Items: If you have a certain prescription, herbal preparation, tea, soap, etc. that you prefer and/or know that you will use it would be a good idea to bring that will you.

Food: Some of the homestays are able to cater to special diets. However, most of the food in the homestays is not that healthy. You should prepare to be as flexible as possible with your diet down here. If you are so inclined, bring miso packets, energy bars, etc. as they are not available down here. Good tofu, fruits, veggies, and granola are available here.

Supplies: Bring a notebook/pens for personal use and another for Spanish language classes if you are taking them.

Miscellaneous: A small travel umbrella that you can carry around with you will come in handy.
A reading light (a goose neck one that you can clip on your bed or the like) will be useful as the lighting here tends to be bad.
A small flashlight to carry in your bag with you.
A day pack/small back pack.
Mace/Pepper Spray is suggested.
Insent repellant if you are especially sensitive to bugs/mosquitos.
A mosquito net is not a necessity but may be helpful, you can buy one down here
Bring pictures of family/friends/loved ones (we love to see them and you will enjoy having them with you).

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