Peace and Light,

I'm Deja. I’m reaching out with heartfelt gratitude, hope, and faith. I have been a public school educator for a decade in the San Antonio Independent School District & Chicago Public Schools.

I became a certified yoga instructor in 2016 and founded Divine Khepera Yoga, LLC, which later became San Antonio's premier Kemetic Yoga studio. As I moved into guiding prenatal/postpartum sessions with expecting moms, my passion for birth work continued to grow. This led me to become a certified doula in 2021. As a doula, I help clients to feel grounded, pause for intentional moments of connection with their bodies and babies, as well as guide them through yoga and meditation. Additionally, I lead families through thoughtful and engaging activities to teach and prepare them for the birthing process. Whether they choose to give birth in the hospital, a birth center, or the comfort of their home, families are empowered to advocate for the birth experience they desire.

After supporting a special friend through an extremely powerful and spiritual delivery, I received my calling into midwifery. Around that same time, I attended a family reunion and learned my great grandmother was a midwife in Missouri. Learning that midwifery is in my DNA helped me to make a tough and courageous decision last December! I decided to resign as an educator and follow my passion in birth work. 

I applied and was accepted into a Direct-Entry Midwifery program and began my first semester in January 2025! I have the tremendous blessing and opportunity to train as a midwife in Puerto Rico this fall — a life-changing chance to learn directly from skilled midwives in a deeply rooted, community-centered setting. This isn’t just about my education — it’s about serving families during this sacred and vulnerable time, offering compassionate informed care while honoring their humanity. This preceptorship program will help me to offer just that.

Why I Need Your Help

As I'm preparing for this monumental moment, I need your help, in the form of a donation to seize this opportunity. Your donation will help cover:

 Airfare to Puerto Rico

Food and daily living

Tuition/fees/books/equipment

Essential bills at home while I’m away

Travel expenses to visit my children.

My end goal is to raise $10,000 by December 2026. This way I can move through this training fully present, focused, and ready to absorb every lesson.

I’ve included a few photos from the mandatory in-person test-outs from last semester. I’m deeply invested along this path to becoming a midwife — and I’m so close to taking the next step!

 If you can give — even a small amount — thank you. If you can share with friends, family, or anyone who believes in supporting birth workers and future midwives, thank you. As many of you know, most student midwives do NOT get paid. It’s training. It's necessary hands-on practice and observation. We work tirelessly on call, in clinic, and in class.

Thank you so much for whatever you're capable of offering at this time. I will provide updates.

With deep gratitude,

Deja