Midwifery & Doula Training in Guatemala

Healing with Love, Nourishing with Food: A Journey with Midwives and Women Life Keepers in the Western Highlands

In the sacred corners of the Guatemalan highlands, where the earth speaks to the sky and the moon guides the cycles of life, a remarkable journey unfolds alongside women whose wisdom has sustained generations. These women—midwives, doulas, social promoters, and community leaders—serve as guardians of ancestral knowledge that unites body, spirit, and community in a single act of love: accompanying life, from birth to healing.

We walk with these wise women with deep respect and admiration through the work at the Asociación de Mujeres del Altiplano, within the Behavioral Health area of action. Together, we strengthen the women involved in the Circles of Women, where trust, profound learning, and life tools are shared. These gatherings are not just about sharing information; they focus on fostering mindful eating, soul nourishment, and healing with the gifts of the earth.

We continue learning that food is far more than nutrition—it is medicine, ceremony, and resistance. Each gathering is an opportunity to demonstrate how food can heal when honored. A soup made from greens like chipilín or amaranth, prepared with intention and love, does more than feed the body—it cleanses, renews, and strengthens. Together, reclaim the value of consuming locally grown foods—cabbage, tomatoes, onions, thyme, bay leaves—understanding that these ingredients restore balance when prepared with wisdom.

Through the “Healing with Food” program, the focus goes beyond recipes to promote a way of life. Participants are encouraged to thoughtfully consider what they introduce into their bodies, minds, and emotions. Accessible and respectful language is used to explain how excess sugar, artificial beverages, harmful oils, bouillon cubes, or instant soups can quietly harm not only the body but also energy and communities.

The midwives and doulas in these communities do more than attend births; they guide holistic healing processes. They provide emotional and spiritual care while sharing knowledge that helps prevent illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and stomach infections. Their wisdom demonstrates that prevention is an act of love and that clean food, clear thoughts, and intentional living are the most powerful medicines.

Each time these women gather around a warm bowl of soup or a cup of medicinal tea, they are building healthier homes. The lessons shared extend beyond the women themselves to their husbands, children, and parents. This work underscores the truth that health is collective, not individual. When one woman heals, her family heals with her.

Through the experience of the organization and the many wise, brave women we have worked alongside, seeds are being sown for a new future. This future views the body as a temple, food as sacred, and women not as patients but as wise, capable, and strong pillars of community well-being. The midwives, promoters, and doulas are not replacements for modern medicine, but their loving care and wisdom prevent countless illnesses and strengthen the foundation for a healthy life.

This work is anything but small. It is revolutionary. In a world that often forgets the value of the natural, this collective effort serves as a reminder that healing is an act of love—and to love is to heal.

Your support can make a profound difference. Your donations can help ensure these invaluable doulas, midwives, and health promoters have the training, resources, and tools they need to continue their life-changing work. Together, we can amplify their impact, nurture healthier communities, and honor the sacred power of compassionate care. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps create a brighter, healthier future. Thank you for standing with us in this mission of love and healing.