Dear family and friends,
I hope this letter finds you all doing well and in good health. As many of you know, I am currently a student at Birthwise Midwifery School studying to become a midwife. Delivering babies has been a dream of mine since childhood, and I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to finally work toward my dream.
My school has an interesting program structure. I travel to Bridgton, Maine every other month and stay for 2 weeks of intense study, then return to NYC where I work as an apprentice under a practicing, experienced midwife. My journey has been amazing and I have learned so much. Since the beginning of the year I have attended 10 births, and close to 100 prenatal visits. I have had the wonderful opportunity to participate in the care of many women during their pregnancy as well as in labor & birth. This is my calling.
I write to you not only to give you an update about what’s happening in my life, but also to ask for your help. I am paying my tuition out of pocket. I receive no financial aid or scholarships because the current state of immigration law in this country makes me ineligible. I currently hold a part-time job as a bookkeeper, which is a blessing because the nature of my studies requires that I have a very flexible job. I am on call 24/7 with my midwife/mentor. I go to births when she goes to births, and many of you know this could mean 3pm or 3am! I do not receive payment for work with my midwife. This, combined with the fact that I have a tremendous amount of schoolwork and studying to do while here in NYC, makes it nearly impossible to take on another job.
I have received support from close family, friends, and even classmates, but I am turning to you because I am having a difficult time gathering the necessary money for my tuition. Every semester I pay on average about $5,500, for a total at the end of three years of about $30,000. I will do everything in my power to make sure that I continue in school, but I need your help to do so. I believe in the power of collective work. When we work to love, encourage, and support each other, we can accomplish great things, so it is in this spirit that I ask for your contribution of ANY amount that you can manage. No amount is too small. Really. I have about half of the tuition amount due for this coming semester, with a remaining balance of $3610. With your contribution you will be involved in a process that not only helps me attain my goals, but also helps change the state of maternity care within the communities that need it most.
The young women in my community need to be reminded of their power, their strength, and their ability to bring forth life in the most natural way. Many of these women are not informed of their right to choose an alternative to hospitals nor the importance of breastfeeding. Often times they lack the informational and emotional support needed to make decisions that do not follow the status quo. I hope to have a hand in changing all this –not just for these specific women, but for the generations of women to follow. Their birth experiences will inform the decisions they make in the future, and hopefully impart positive perceptions of natural childbirth.
My goal is not only to work as a midwife in my community, but to also be an educator and an advocate for natural childbirth, home birth and the midwifery model of care. Part of my job as a midwife is to work with others in my community to disseminate accurate information that can help change the climate of midwifery in New York City.
I believe I am capable of bringing the midwifery model of care to NYC because I have an energy and vitality of spirit that will help carry me through the tough road ahead. I have already begun fostering relationships with organizations, doulas, and other midwives in my community. My first doula client is a member of GEMS (Girls Educational & Mentoring Services), which is “the only organization in New York State specifically designed to serve girls and young women, ages 12 – 21, who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation and domestic trafficking.” Having had the privilege of supporting this strong young woman, I left the experience knowing that I wanted to concentrate my efforts on the young women in my community. I plan to continue offering doula services, free of charge, to the women of GEMS.
Thanks so much for your love and support!
Shauntée
You can make a contribution through Paypal by clicking the DONATE button below [you dont need to have a paypal account], or by mailing a check or money order made payable to Shauntee Henry to:
740 Madison St.
Brooklyn, NY 11221
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