For Daughters of the African Diaspora
in celebration of the Black History that began in Africa
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I have been preparing what I plan to share at the Imbizo Yababethelisi - Gathering of Midwives - in South Africa on March 26-27, 2019 since the day I received the invitation in early January. I have been asked to speak on the topic: Traditional Midwifery of African Women in the Diaspora. For a while, I have been working through Harmonic Connections PLUS to establish a platform through which Disaporic African women and Continental African women can connect to share birth traditions and indigenous knowledge. Opportunities are slowly aligning to allow connection and collaboration to happen on a larger scale.
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"Though we are separated by many miles and generations of experiences, we are still CONNECTED BY BLOOD and BOUND TOGETHER BY BIRTH." ~Dr. Doula
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While I was working, two thoughts ran across my mind.
MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS: “I must take gifts for the traditional midwives!” Any time that we have an opportunity to travel internationally, gifts have always been a part of our experience. Whether it was from professors at universities who offered me beautiful wooden statues or those that welcomed us to a formal meeting with gifts. Or even family members who always make sure I have something, even if it is a small piece of jewelry to take with me. I learned and have made it my practice to make sure that I have adopted this practice when I visit my South African family. As I thought about it, I knew I wanted the gifts to be special and unique and something that would be symbolic of the relationship that we desire to have with them as women of African descent and keepers of sacred and indigenous birth practices that continue to sustain our families and communities. But it had to be simple… and lightweight for travel. I brainstormed for a while, searched through my craft boxes for supplies, and designed the “Bound by Birth” Wristlet. |
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I am looking for women of African descent who would like to help me communicate a message of the bond that still exists between Continental African women and Diasporic African women who are working in birth. With the "Bound by Birth" Wristlet, one wristlet will be created for the birth worker in the Diaspora and a matching wristlet will be taken as a gift to an African Traditional Midwife. See more details below.
MY SECOND THOUGHT WAS: “How can I make this encounter with the African Traditional Birth Attendants bigger than me?” The answer was not slow in coming… “Share your platform to allow others to offer aspects of our collective experiences that will show them more fully who we, African women of the Diaspora, are and how we have continued to serve women in birth.” I am looking for 10 birth workers of African descent to help me share our story with African Traditional Midwives. See details and benefits of participation below. I am taking these gifts and the collective message on behalf of Daughters of the African Diaspora Alliance (or D.O.A.D. Alliance), and ancillary of Harmonic Connections PLUS. Learn how you can join in to help magnify our voice below. |
I turned my first attempt into an earring and soon made my first BBB wristlet. I was SO PROUD that I was able to make my vision materialize.
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How You Can ParticipateDaughters of the African Diaspora Alliance is for women of African descent who are committed to preserving, protecting, and promoting indigenous knowledge systems from Africa through traditional birth practices, by utilizing resources within nature, and by practicing skills that allow people of African descent to sustain themselves. It recognizes the daughters of the African Diaspora, spread throughout the western world, who have dedicated their lives to learning the traditions of their ancestors, understanding the needs of birthing women's bodies, and using ancient knowledge to heal and PROTECT WOMEN. Visit the D.O.A.D. Alliance website and read below to see how you can get involved.
“HELP CARRY THE MESSAGE” (only for the month of February)
$150 contribution allows you to be: Only 10 spaces available
"HELP CARRY THE MESSAGE" - SPECIAL GIFTS during the month of February 2019 in honor of Black History Month
“MAKE THE CONNECTION”
$50 contribution allows you to be:
"MAKE THE CONNECTION" - SPECIAL GIFT offered during the month of February 2019 in honor of Black History Month:
Envision YOURSELF on these cards being shared with other women of African descent around the world. Imagine new opportunities for connection and support. MAKE THE CONNECTION and JOIN D.O.A.D. ALLIANCE TODAY!
Opportunities to join D.O.A.D. Alliance will continue after Black History Month and the "Bound by Birth " Wristlet will still be available for purchase after February. However, you must join the D.O.A.D. Alliance by February 28 in order to receive the FREE gifts - "Bound by Birth" Wristlet or "Guardians of the Womb" Necklace. THANK YOU in advance for helping deliver this message of unity and solidarity to African Traditional Midwives. |
You may FIRST: Make your tax deductible contribution. Daughters of the African Diaspora Alliance is a subsidiary of Harmonic Connections PLUS, a 501c3 non-profit organization, and contributions are tax deductible. You may make a contribution toward participation in the D.O.A.D. Alliance or make a contribution toward the work. SECOND: Fill out the form below. The information you provide will be used to create quote/photo cards to be shared on social media platforms. Check your email for a receipt of your contribution. Your contribution must be confirmed before the the Photo Quote Cards are created and posted on social media or access is granted to any other D.O.A.D. Alliance benefits. |
The opportunity to showcase Diaspora African birth workers and share their work with African women on the continent is exciting. Do you know others who might desire to join of the Daughters of the African Diaspora Alliance?
If so, PLEASE SHARE!
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