About 10 months ago a Midwife-Sista-Healer began talking about her dream—for a group of African Diasporic midwives and midwifery students and apprentices to go work in a clinic in Senegal together. There have been a few such trips to various places in Africa, put on by ICTC and other groups, but not to Senegal. Za”Yn and I dreamed and worked on this idea and found an extraordinary midwife to precept the trip. With the generous cooperation of the African Birth Collective, who has a long term-relationship with clinics in Senegal and providing excellent midwifery care though its program, we were able to to arrange a trip for us Sistas. Yes, Zayan birthed this trip and I got to be the midwife!
So, on January 22 (through February 16) we leave on a trip of a lifetime. Za”Yn Muhammad Manna, Jessica Johnson and Makeka Kamara, our preceptor, and me. Hopefully Nikki Plaskett will be able to join us for a while. We are headed to work in a small clinic in Kafountine, Casamance, Senegal.
Can you imagine us—who have studied and read of maternal health issues in Africa— having a chance to contribute our hands, minds and hearts to our sisters. To be with Makeda who has lived African midwifery and is a warrior for intra-partum and post-partum women’s care. And UmmSalaamah Sondra Abdullah-Zaimah is in Ghana to explore opportunities for ICTC to have a clinical site.
Makes my heart break into song, “I love being a midwife deep down in my soul…”
I am starting on a very long journey to become a great, caring and well trained midwife; but it begins with this first step.
I hope this will happen again next year. I wanted to go this year wen I heard about it but a new baby (in my family) and finances did not permit me to participate.
Thank you for doing this. It feels good to know there are more of us sistas out there.
Up late, thinking of you and hoping you are really getting your hands in some serious work! Be well!
Can’t wait to read more!