In an age where compassion travels faster than ever—spread through social campaigns, shared stories, and digital communities—the power of one collective “yes” still holds transformative weight. Nowhere is this more evident than in the highlands of Guatemala, where a midwifery center born of hope and humanity continues to battle corruption, loss, and upheaval with nothing but heart, resilience, and an unwavering vision.
More than 25 years ago, the ACAM Midwifery and Birth Center was founded in the Mayan village of Concepción, Guatemala. Its roots were planted in partnership between indigenous midwives and North American supporters, with a shared goal: to restore, honor, and empower traditional Mayan birthing practices. Led in recent years by executive director Asia Blackwell, the center blossomed into a hub for safe deliveries, mobile healthcare outreach, and intercultural training programs.
The numbers alone speak volumes: thousands of births, over two decades, without a single mother or baby lost.
But in April 2025, this remarkable legacy was pierced by a heartbreaking blow.
A Devastating Loss in the Night
What had been a sanctuary of life and healing was thrown into chaos. A group of individuals, once part of the founding circle of the ACAM center, weaponized Guatemala’s deeply entrenched corruption in an attempt to seize the clinic’s assets and reputation. In the turmoil, the midwives were falsely imprisoned for 24 hours.
That single day cost two innocent lives. A mother in distress arrived at the clinic, only to find its doors locked and its staff unjustly detained. She and her baby passed away without the care they so desperately needed.
This was not only a human tragedy—it was an existential rupture for the community and a painful reckoning for those who had poured decades into building a safe haven for women.
Planting a New Beginning: Naye Xjaw Is Born
Yet from the ashes of betrayal and heartbreak, something astonishing is growing. The midwives and their supporters have not given up—in fact, they’ve stepped forward stronger. They’ve created Naye Xjaw, a new nonprofit midwifery and health center, legally recognized and fully operational, once again under the stewardship of Asia Blackwell and her team.
“Naye Xjaw” means “New Corn” in the local language—a powerful symbol of rebirth and sustenance. Asia writes, “Maybe all that we have is a corn kernel of hope, but we aim to plant that kernel and watch it grow into a milpa, a cornstalk, that can nourish the community and beyond.”
In just weeks, the new center was up and running, hosting the same beloved programs, welcoming mothers and babies with warmth, and serving remote villages through mobile clinics. It is a miracle born from grief, defiance, and belief in a better future.
A Call to Action: Help the Work Continue
But rebuilding is not easy.
The startup costs of establishing Naye Xjaw have been steep. Legal fees, basic medical supplies, furnishings—everything had to be secured from scratch. Though hope is abundant, resources are not. And now, more than ever, they need allies to keep the dream alive.
“I can provide the spark,” Asia says, “but I need you all to help light the fire.”
Donations, fundraising support, and grant-writing expertise are urgently needed to sustain operations, expand outreach, and ensure that no woman is ever left at a locked gate again. This is a movement built by the hands and hearts of many—and it will take a shared effort to carry it forward.
What You Can Do
The path forward is clear. If this story moved you—if you believe that traditional birth practices deserve protection, that indigenous women deserve safe care, and that hope can outlast corruption—then say “yes.” Your support, big or small, helps ensure that the legacy of 25 years is not erased, but reborn.
You can help today:
- Make a tax-deductible donation at www.mayamidwifery.org
- Or mail a check made out to Maya Midwifery International, c/o Nicole May, 124 Boston Ave, #2, Somerville, MA 02144
- Share the story. Spread the word. Help this message reach more hearts.
A Future Worth Fighting For
What happened in April was a tragedy. But what is happening now is a triumph.
In the hills of Guatemala, midwives are still rising at dawn. Mobile clinics are still crossing dirt roads to reach the forgotten. Babies are still being born into the hands of women who carry centuries of wisdom. And they are doing it all with little more than a kernel of hope—and the support of those willing to believe in them.
Let us not leave their work unfinished. Let us not let their courage go unanswered.
They are still waiting for us. Let’s show up.