TANZANIA
KARATU HEALTH CENTER &
KARATU LUTHERAN HOSPITAL
Each year we strive to learn about what the actual needs of the hospitals we work in are. Our first year in 2019 we partnered with SAFE WATER NOW and brought fifty water filters to clinics to send home with mothers and nurses. We also partnered with BOMA LA MAMA to offer reusable menstrual pads and soap to the postpartum mothers.. By the end of our trip, the Karatu Health Center (known by locals as Dabaldi), explained that their number one need was an ultrasound machine. They serve over 150 birthing women each month, and when something is presenting as complicated they must refer the patient to a different clinic with the proper technology. This means a pregnant or laboring mother might have to travel down bumpy roads for the care she needs.
In 2019, we raised $17,000 to purchase an ultrasound machine for Karatu District Hospital. It was quite a journey, and so grateful for Saja Erens (an amazing Deutch midwife) at Stitching Mount Meru for providing sonography training to Dr. Simpa so that he can be of service to the patients at the hospital.
It is imperative when we purchase equipment that there is properly trained staff that will be able to use it, and that the technology is compliant with the environment at the clinics (open air, power source, etc).
In 2024 we made great progress with the speciality referral hospital, Karatu Lutheran Hospital. Thanks to your support, we were able to acquire 3 medical oxygen concentrators, 3 oxygen splinters for neonates, 2 overhead heat lamps, and 4 fetal dopplers.
If you would like to be involved in helping these clinics get more life saving equipment, please contact the foundation! We are always open to collaborations aimed to improve maternal health outcomes.
ECUADOR
Traditional Midwives in Ecuador
Let me introduce you to our remarkable teachers in Ecuador, Martha Arotingo and Luzmila Antonigo, an epic mother-daughter duo dedicated to preserving and sharing their ancestral birth knowledge.
Meet Martha Arotingo
Martha is a traditional midwife, herbalist, and indigenous healer from the Andes of Ecuador. She is a community leader, farmer, and a staunch guardian and defender of the land. Martha is part of the collective of traditional midwives, HAMPI WARMIKUNA, based in Cotacachi. She learned the art of midwifery and healing through plants from the wise grandmothers of her community, with the blessing of the sacred hill, Mama Cotacachi, which has housed her lineage for centuries.
Martha’s mother, Luzmila, is also a midwife, herbalist, and specialist in guinea pig diagnosis. As a teacher at the "Unanchu Mamakuna" traditional midwifery school, Luzmila plays a vital role in passing down this invaluable knowledge to the next generation of midwives.
Reviving Ancestral Wisdom
Together, Martha and Luzmila are on a mission to revive and preserve the ancestral birth practices that have been passed down through generations. They are dedicated to ensuring that this wisdom continues to thrive, not only within their community but also among birthkeepers worldwide.
Martha has taken a significant step by founding the "Unanchu Mamakuna" traditional midwifery school, where she equips women in her community and beyond with the knowledge and skills necessary to carry on these practices. Wombs of the World Foundation is proud to support her work by providing essential materials, such as dopplers, to her graduates.
How You Can Support Partera Di Anaku
Martha’s vision is expansive, with big projects on the horizon. These include dreams of global courses and the construction of birth houses that will further her mission. The "Unanchu Mamakuna" school requires approximately $60,000 annually to operate, ensuring that these traditions are not only preserved but also shared with a global community.
We are honored to learn from these incredible women and support the development of their projects. If you would like to be more involved with the work Martha and Luzmila are doing, consider joining a committee, hosting a fundraiser, or making a donation. Your support can help make these dreams a reality.
Would you like to contribute to Martha’s groundbreaking work? Donate today to help sustain the "Unanchu Mamakuna" school and support the preservation of traditional birth practices.
