Women’s Health and Healing Guatemala Trip Report
May 25 – June 1, 2024
In May 2024, the VCU Institute for Women’s Health hosted its eleventh annual “Women’s Health and Healing in Guatemala” service-exchange program, in partnership with the Highland Support Project (HSP) and the Association of Highland Women (AMA). This year, Heather Ashton, Assistant Coordinator of the VCU Humphrey Fellowship Program in the Department of Psychology, and Andrea Reed, DNP, from the VCU School of Nursing, co-led the trip, with Janett Forte, the program's founder, serving as a consultant. The trip included fourteen women from VCU and the larger Richmond community, each bringing diverse expertise, including sociology, education, psychology, biology, nursing, birth doula services, Spanish medical interpretation, and staff from VCU Center for Society and Health, Research and Innovation, the Global Education Office, and the Richmond YWCA.
Throughout the week-long exchange, the team collaborated with community leaders and Maya midwives, who provided training and services focused on maternal and child health and women's health. Participants worked closely with the Association of Highland Women, which supports traditional midwives by providing holistic health care training, essential equipment, and practical support. The group visited Codecot, a local birthing center emphasizing ancestral and cultural teachings for pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Codecot focuses on preserving and transmitting traditional Mayan teachings, ensuring a supportive and humanized approach to childbirth. The organization also works towards inclusion in healthcare and education, minimizing infant and maternal mortality, and advocating for economic compensation for traditional midwives.
Participants also heard from Brisley Galvez, who works within the Guatemalan state government sector on integrating and respecting midwives within the western health system. She advocates for the recognition and inclusion of traditional midwives in modern healthcare, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional midwifery while ensuring midwives receive the support and resources needed to collaborate effectively with the broader medical community. The team learned the importance of bridging the gap between traditional and western medicine to promote a more holistic and culturally sensitive approach to maternal and child healthcare in Guatemala.
Additionally, the team had an enlightening discussion with Cleotilde Vásquez, an expert from the Asociación de Desarrollo Integral de la Mujer Indígena (ADIMI), about the social, economic, and cultural conditions of Maya women in the Guatemalan Highlands. She explained the persistent challenges these women face, including limited access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, as well as the impact of traditional gender roles and discrimination. Vásquez highlighted the importance of community organization, education, and cultural preservation in empowering Maya women and improving their quality of life.
Another highlight was a session with a local bonesetter who taught participants about herbal and medicinal plants used in traditional remedies for pregnancy and overall wellness. The bonesetter demonstrated techniques such as diagnosing conditions by feeling the affected area, manipulating bones and joints, using massage to relax muscles and improve circulation, and employing natural remedies to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
The itinerary also included cultural experiences such as visiting the markets of Panajachel, a boat ride across Lake Atitlán, a tour of a local coffee cooperative in San Juan La Laguna, and participation in a traditional Maya ceremony led by a local shaman. The group explored the Pre-Columbian archaeological site of Iximche and spent a final night in the picturesque city of Antigua, known for its well-preserved Spanish Baroque architecture.
The IWH Women’s Health & Healing program's learning objectives included understanding Maya cultural perspectives on childbirth and women's health, exploring the historical context of
Maya midwifery, examining health disparities in the Guatemalan Highlands, observing traditional midwifery practices, and exploring the integration of traditional and Western medicine. Participants engaged in community-led initiatives, developed cultural sensitivity, and reflected on their experiences to promote cross-cultural understanding and knowledge exchange. This service-learning opportunity highlighted the interconnectedness of people, problems, and solutions, encouraging the sharing of Western and local knowledge to empower women in developing holistic, place-based wellness care.
The trip promoted discussion, reflection, and knowledge exchange, with an emphasis on using this experience when participants return to their own communities and academic programs. For many students, this experience is integral to their professional development and goals. It continues to be a transformative experience, fostering intercultural understanding through
personal development and community building. As one participant remarked, “I understand how important it is to include tradition and culture in healthcare. I also understand the cultural complexity of intersecting modern healthcare and local traditions. Another participant shared, “I learned a great deal. I could take this trip three or four more times and still find new things to learn. One thing that stands out is that the midwives treat the whole family, not just the pregnant woman.”
For questions or more information, contact:
Heather Ashton: ashtonhr@vcu.edu
Andrea Reed: agreed@vcu.edu
Janett Forte: Janett.Forte@vcuhealth.org
Our community partner information:
Highland Support Project
http://highlandsupportproject.org/
Asociación de Mujeres del Altiplano (AMA)
https://amaguate.org/