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Sunset satisfaction

Writer's picture: Dr Sarah IrelandDr Sarah Ireland

Updated: Aug 18, 2024

Yolŋu Country, Northern Territory. 15 August 2024.

With sunset comes a sense of satisfaction and relief knowing that we have successfully supported another six Yolŋu miyalk (women) to complete their djäkamirr face-to-face training and written assessments for the Certificate II in Pregnancy, Birth and Postnatal Companionship 11230NAT.


Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. Galiwin'ku sunset.


Over these last few days we have finished all our training topics covering :

  • Abortion

  • Balanda style childbirth

  • Active labour support

  • Birth complications

  • Postnatal care


The students gained experience planning, doing and reflecting on their djäkamirr care. This learning was supported by a case study about 'Mary' a yothumirri (pregnant woman). Students followed Mary from early to late pregnancy, supported her to birth at Gove Hospital and then cared for her and yothu (baby) back home in the community.


It was amazing to see the student's confidence grow in using our bespoke care plan tools to record their work.

It was amazing to see the student's confidence grow in using the projects bespoke care plan tools that support djäkamirr to provide continuity of companionship and document their important work. Some of the most satisfying training moments are when genuine knowledge exchange occurs. To ensure this, our training is co-delivered with Yolŋu knowledge experts and this time around some of the previous cohort djäkamirr students had a go at teaching too.


Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. (L-R) Djäkamirr art and the training room vibe with djäkamirr Guyupul from the Molly Institute and Renee from the Australian Doula College


Do you know any keen crafters or sewers??

We spent some time preparing student's around what to expect during planned and unplanned caesarean sections. We also squashed a few myths like once you have had one caesarean you must have another. Student's watched videos about the operating theatre and tried on hats. Do you know any keen crafters or sewers?? We would love to be gifted some more colourful theatre hats for the djäkamirr to have in their Sit-Down Bag. Send us an email if you can help: pandanusmatfringe@gmail.com


Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. Djäkamirr trying on theatre hats when learning about caesarean sections


By the way, do you know what is meant by sit-down?

By the way, do you know what is meant by sit-down? Sit-down is the locally used terminology for the time that women are away from their home 'sitting-down' waiting for the hospital birth of their baby. Most women do this alone and can be away from home for many weeks. Our project is working towards community aspirations for returning birth services back to the island and Yolŋu control.


As part of the project's maternity service redesign and with thanks to our partner, Northern Territory Health, the djäkamirr have their travel and accommodation costs covered to attend sit-down and support the woman on their journey. This is a major step towards humanising the system and redressing unintended harms a women experiences birthing away from her community, family, culture and social capital. Our project is evaluating the impact of djäkamirr support and service redesign on women's care experiences and perinatal outcomes.

Training in low-resource remote settings is filled with practical and personal challenges.

Training in low-resource remote areas is filled with practical and personal challenges. In other settings we would benefit from public transport, IT support, reliable tap water, fast internet, catering deliveries, student support services, cleaners and a convenient Office supplies store around the corner. But here we do it all and/or problem solve, most often with a smile and when things get tough a laugh. A big thankyou to Sh'ana Constable, Res McCalman and Renee Adair for being such exceptional colleagues. We are the awesome foursome.


Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. Galiwin'ku landscapes and colleagues Res McCalman, Sh'ana Constable, Sarah Ireland and Renee Adair.


The djäkamirr students are now ready to start the practical assessment components of the certificate, by providing continuity of companionship and support to yothumirri (pregnant women). To ensure success, students receive a vocational educational placement scholarship. Over the coming months, these practical experiences will contribute to their training unit competencies for pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal support. Students are mentored, nurtured and practically supported by our on-the-ground Yolŋu team and Djäkamirr Coordinator who monitors and assess student learning outcomes. Its a big but exciting job!


We are thrilled to hear that other Yolŋu communities have miyalk (women) who are keen to become djäkamirr.

We are thrilled to hear that other Yolŋu communities have miyalk (women) who are keen to become djäkamirr and we hope that in the future this will become possible. However it takes a lot more than just attending the face-to-face training sessions to grow a confident and skilled djäkamirr. Thanks to Yolŋu leadership from Professor Elaine Ḻäwurrpa Maypilama and Ms Rosemary Gundjaraŋbuy, alongside the generosity of partners, our project has co-designed the djäkamirr service model and is evaluating the implementation of the program. We know if we can learn and get it right here in Galiwin'ku, we will be able to do this anywhere in Australia.


Photo credit: Sarah Ireland. Some of the djäkamirr, future djäkamirr, Yolŋu knowledge experts, Balanda knowledge experts and support staff at the end of training.


As the training comes to a close, we are feeling so proud of you Galiwin'ku djäkamirr mala (group)!


Click these links to learn more:


Colleagues


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Gast
22 aug 2024

Beautiful. Fabulous update

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Gast
19 aug 2024
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Great update

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Gast
15 aug 2024
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Love love love

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