| ACAM's Vision: The Long Arc of the Project |
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1.) Preserving Maya Midwifery: strengthening Maya midwifery as an institution and educating new midwives. The midwife is a trusted figure in the indigenous towns and is in a unique position to influence all matters pertaining to health. Midwifery is also essential to cultural preservation and continuation of traditional Maya healing practices.
2.) Traditional Healing : Promotion of the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of the community involving:
3.) Addressing the Roots of Disease, Pregnancy Loss, Maternal and Infant Mortality: Working with ACAM to help them create an educational program that incorporates values and healing practices of the Maya midwives as well as knowledge and skills demanded by the health challenges of life in the 21st century. These include HIV and AIDS, domestic violence, and pregnancy complications resulting from poverty, malnutrition,ignorance, and lack of access to culturally appropriate medical services.
Coordinating the work of environmental organizations with Maya Spiritual Guides to protect the life of trees, water and animals by promoting organic fertilizers and ancient Maya farming methods. Exposing the dangers of pesticides to the health of pregnant women,their babies and the health of the earth and future generations. Addressing water and air pollution and their effects on health. Promoting community responsibility through recycling and appropriate waste disposal.
Supporting and coordinating the efforts of community groups in issues pertaining to health. "We ask you not to leave us alone in our fight against maternal and infant mortality, to improve heatlh of our people, and to relieve the trauma from the war our country and people endured." - Elena Ixcot
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The cultivation and use of medicinal plants and community education about herbal medicine.
5.) Promoting Community Development and Civic Participation.
