Local doulas headed to Honduras in June

The doulas, while excited, are aware that they may be entering emotionally troubling situations.

“Obviously we are very excited to go but the experience itself is not going to be sunshine and rainbows, we are going into a situation that may be hard and we may see things that aren’t easy but that’s why we are there, we are going to help women through these hard things so they don’t have to do it alone,” ssays Laura Gauthier, one of the eight doulas who will be going on the trip.

“Essentially a mother down there is often going into the hospital alone to birth her baby, so the program we are going through fills that gap a little bit, it creates an opportunity for them to have some support.”

The doulas are passionate about their work and are ready to take on the emotional and physical challenges that will come with the trip, but they want the community to know that they will be well taken care of once they are there.

“A lot of people have concerns about our safety going down there and I just want people to know that we are going to be safe when we are there and that the organization that we are going down with is a very reputable organization and she will make sure we are safe and that we have a safe place to stay and a safe way of getting around,” said Chelsea Bootsman, another of the eight doulas heading to Honduras.

“The need for doulas is really great down there, but not many women have the money to hire one. That’s where we come in and we are just so privileged that we have the finances to get ourselves down there and take time to help these women”

The trip is a volunteer effort that will cost each doula around $4,000. This will cover their plane ticket, accommodations, meals and transportation once they are there.

Each doula has been fundraising both collectively and privately over the past year for funds and supplies to bring with them. They have asked the community for help gathering medical and post-natal supplies for the women and babies that need them. Things like medical caps, boot covers, nursing pads, diapers, and feminine hygiene products are amongst the many items the doulas are hoping to bring with them when they go.

Over the next few months leading up to their trip, the doulas will be hosting events across the city to fundraise and raise awareness of doula support. Individuals who want to know more about this project and how they can help are encouraged to email doulasonamission@gmail.com.

The Red Deer Doula Association is a non-profit group of independent doulas and businesses who volunteer their time to coordinate events and strive to educate, inform and support women and their families during pregnancy, childbirth and beyond in central Alberta (reddeerdoulaassociation.com).

by Storrm Lennie

Local doulas headed to Honduras in June

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