Olds resident Christa Duquette has returned from an eight-day humanitarian trip in June to Honduras with the Red Deer Doula Association (RDDA), which according to her, was an incredible experience.
A doula is someone who provides families with support and guidance during or after a pregnancy.
Duquette's and the RDDA's goal while there was to provide compassionate care to women in labour in the Honduras hospitals.
“Our job was to support labouring women before they had their babies and then be with them during the delivery,” Duquette said.
“Also, we were able to do a little bit of postpartum support with the women afterwards; so helping them with breastfeeding, giving them newborn clothes and things like that.”
She wasn't ready for the reception they received.
“I think what surprised me the most was how welcoming the staff and the women were to our support," said Duquette.
“We weren’t sure if we would be able to go in and support women quite quickly or if we’d have to prove our value, but they were so happy to have us there.”
One of Duquette’s concerns was the language barrier. But that wasn’t an issue, she said, as people who knew both languages helped with translating.
“They were very friendly, helpful and grateful, even with translating English to Spanish. Those that spoke English were happy to help us with the language barrier,” she said.
One of the biggest takeaways Duquette has from her experience was a reconfirmation of how strong and resilient people can be.
“Women and even the staff are faced with difficult conditions or a little bit of adversity and they’re just so strong and they just continue to do the best that they can,” said Duquette. “I really learned again how strong we are, even when we don’t realize.”
Duquette was inspired by Silvia Bahr, who coordinated the trip for the group.
“She has worked and done some amazing things in her community. So then it makes me want to strive for betterment, both globally and locally within my own community, because she’s done some great things.
“I think that really impacted me looking back on the experience,” Duquette said.
This was an experience that Duquette is proud of to now have under her belt as a doula.
“I’m especially proud of the team of doulas that we went with and worked with because it was the most physical and emotional hard work we’ve ever done as a doula,” said Duquette. “I know any of us would do it all over again.”
