The Midwife Project

Reclaiming the Sacred: The Story Behind The Midwife

Project Guatemaya

We believe Indigenous women and midwives deserve to reclaim what has always been theirs: Their Power, Their Purpose, and Their Ancestral Wisdom.

In post-war Guatemala — after centuries of colonisation, violence, and westernisation — Maya women have suffered deep disconnection from their traditions, especially in childbirth and childbearing years. The result: one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Latin America, and the silencing of traditional midwifery knowledge passed down for generations.

We are here to reverse that loss — to uplift midwives as healers, leaders, and wisdom keepers in their communities.

We believe that when women remember who they are and are supported to live their calling, communities prosper. Our Empowerment Through Education Program is woven into the Oral History Collection, where Maya midwife elders, around the sacred fire, gathered from Maya regions across Guatemala chose to document, preserve, and pass on their ancestral knowledge- resulting in the creation of the Empowerment Through Education Program.

Every donation moves a Maya midwife closer to her purpose — and her people’s healing.

In solidarity, we are supporting the Rematriation of traditional Maya midwifery by providing midwives from the Kaqchikel, Mam, Tz’utujil, and K’iche’ Maya regions of Guatemala with FREE access to a 6-month education program that gracefully integrates Maya ancestral and modern midwifery practices.

We cover their transport, tuition, snacks, and ceremonial materials—not only removing financial barriers but also honouring and empowering the sacred role they hold in their communities.

This is how we are supporting Indigenous women today in reconnecting with their soul’s calling — and this is why we are seeing Maya youth return to the path of the traditional midwife after generations of cultural erasure.

Training, resourcing, and mentoring Maya midwives to lead the way

forward.

A sacred calling, carried through dreams, prayer, and the hands of the

ancestors. This work is the sacred thread weaving ancestral wisdom from elders to youth, from heart to hand from womb to womb.

In Maya culture, midwifery is a spiritual calling, often received through dreams and ancestral guidance. Many elder midwives learned their craft as visions from their ancestors, and their connection to the earth is tangible. They gather their tools from nature, carrying sacred stones that accompany them to every birth. Before leaving their homes, traditional midwives light candles and pray, grounding themselves in the ceremony and intention to provide not just physical care, but spiritual healing for the mother, child and family.

Training Maya midwives to carry the fire forward.

From 2021 to 2024, 40 Maya midwives completed our full Empowerment Through Education program.

In addition, we trained 5 practicing midwives from across

Guatemala through our specialised workshops in neonatal resuscitation and haemorrhage care — bringing the total number of trained midwives to 45.

We also provided 55 professional midwifery kits (each valued at $700 USD) to both our graduates and other practicing Maya midwives throughout the country.

“My grandmother and mother were both midwives. When they died, I realised that I lost my opportunity to learn with them. I wasn't interested yet, but now the calling is here. When I heard about the project, I was interested to join. I am very grateful for the

opportunity to learn with the other midwives of the project.”

-Monica Cholotío

Help us raise $8,000 by August to keep Maya midwives learning and Empowered.

We’re aiming to raise $8,000 by the end of August to keep this important education going. This funding will cover meals, transportation, and class materials for our midwife students through the end of the program. Transportation is one of the biggest barriers for Indigenous midwives — especially for young students and those traveling from remote communities. Your support helps ensure they can attend every class without worrying about how they’ll get there or what

they’ll eat.

Every dollar you give helps make this education possible — and in solidarity, we can raise the $8,000 needed to run the rest of the Empowerment through Education program this season.

Here’s where your support goes:

This is a grassroots movement — born from community, sustained by community, and for community. Every gift, no matter how small, is a powerful act of love that preserves sacred ancestral wisdom, uplifts the next generation of midwives, and brings life-saving care to Indigenous families in Guatemala..

Your gift’s impact — tangible support for Maya midwives at every level.

Every gift tears down a barrier. Let’s stand united so every Maya midwife can answer her calling.

Give in honour of the sacred fire — your support kindles the timeless wisdom of Maya midwifery for generations to come.

This fundraiser is hosted by Sarah Smits, a midwife based in Australia who volunteers with and supports The Midwife Project Guatemaya. Because GoFundMe is not available in Guatemala, we’re using this

account to receive and transfer funds directly to the project. All donations go straight to supporting Indigenous midwife students through the Empowerment through Education program.

Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themidwifeprojectguatemaya/

And Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/themidwifeprojectguatemaya/

https://www.midwifeproject.net/