Let's Help Ajira, Cameron & family!

I’m Daniella, and Ajira is a friend and shero of mine. I first met Ajira at a gathering for birth workers, and I could tell this person was magic from the get go. Afterwards, we kept running into each other and each time dove into deep, heartfelt conversations. We became good friends and colleagues soon after. In fact, now you can listen to those convos on our podcast : )

Hundreds of families in Oakland,* and hundreds of doulas around the world, have had their lives transformed by Ajira’s warmth and expertise in her field.

As a doula,** Ajira guides families through their reproductive milestones - pregnancies, births or loss and journeys into parenthood. From holding someone’s hand through a labor contraction, to connecting parents with the best health care for their baby, to passing on her wisdom to new doulas, Ajira fights every day of her life for better health outcomes for Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC) to have the birth and parenting support they deserve.

Oakland would look very different without the love and care Ajira has poured into our families and organizing groups over the past few years.

And while on the front lines supporting BIPOC parents, Ajira has been raising her own two brilliant, incredible kiddos together with her partner, Cameron.

The Need

Ajira was one of the many doulas who were let go when the pandemic hit. Overnight, hospitals barred doulas from attending births, and cash became too short for many families to hire a doula at all. Their plans to retrofit their school bus into a home were halted with the pandemic and they’ve been rendered houseless since.  Ajira’s partner, Cameron, is high-risk for COVID so that left Ajira as the primary earner for her husband and kids, even as her doula work dried up. 

She took her vital work online, leading doula workshops through Zoom and finding ways to support families who were struggling to navigate pregnancy during a pandemic.

When her husband got a nosebleed that wouldn’t stop, Ajira drove him to the ER. Within a few hours, they learned he had cancer in his sinuses. Ajira doubled down working to provide for her family without missing a beat, bracing for the oncoming medical bills while continuing to love and support her husband and children.

Then the week they found out Cameron's cancer was Stage 4, they were robbed. Although some of the stolen items were later found abandoned (important documents, Ajira’s external hard drive), Ajira’s work computer was damaged and the family’s savings were taken. That brings us to today.

Ajira is now left with technical challenges in supporting her family even as they face a battle with cancer, a robbery, and a pandemic that’s unlikely to lift anytime soon. After years of Ajira supporting our families, it’s our privilege and responsibility to support hers. Please give what you can to help Ajira and her family during this hard season. 

How will the money be used?

- A replacement laptop etc  for Ajira so that she can continue her work and earn enough to maintain stable housing, food, and transportation to and from the hospital as Cameron receives care

- Medical bills for Cameron’s treatment.

……………………………………….

Thank you so much, in advance, for sharing some of what you have with this amazing family. No matter how small your gift is, know that it is truly appreciated.

If you’re unable to donate, you can help get the word out by sharing the link to your Facebook page or other social media platforms. Thank you again for helping us support the doula who’s always supported us!

…………….……………………….

*In unceded Ohlone territory.
**Here’s what a doula is  , and why doula work matters