In El Tablón, a rural community in Guatemala, Elena is someone families turn to in moments of care, uncertainty, and new life.
At 30 years old, Elena is one of the youngest Comadronas (Maya midwives) in her community. Yet her path began long before she delivered her first baby. She comes from a lineage of women who have dedicated their lives to caring for others—her grandmother was a Comadrona, her mother is a Comadrona, and today Elena continues that tradition.
In Indigenous communities, the role of a Comadrona extends far beyond childbirth. Comadronas are trusted community leaders who accompany women and families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Their work combines ancestral knowledge, practical care, emotional support, and deep relationships built over generations.
Families do not choose a Comadrona casually. They seek the guidance of someone they trust during one of life’s most important moments.
For Elena, being a Comadrona is not simply a profession—it is a responsibility to her community.
She provides care for women throughout their pregnancies, offering both medical attention and emotional support. The families she serves place their confidence in the knowledge she has inherited and the care she provides.
Unlike many professions, Elena’s work as a Comadrona is not motivated by financial gain. She sees it as a way to contribute to the wellbeing of her community.
“When you contribute, you feel happy and have that peace of mind knowing your community is well,” Elena says.
As she witnessed the growing needs of families in her community, Elena decided to expand her efforts by opening a small pharmacy and clinic. There, she provides access to basic over-the-counter medicines while also incorporating traditional remedies cultivated in her own medicinal plant garden. By combining ancestral knowledge with practical healthcare resources, she is able to offer more holistic support to the families she serves.
Yet the work is not without challenges.
Pregnancy complications can require urgent decisions and coordination with formal healthcare systems. Comadronas often face barriers when accompanying patients to hospitals, despite the critical role they play in supporting women throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Even in the face of these challenges, Elena remains committed to serving her community.
She is supported by a network of fellow Comadronas who share knowledge, experiences, and strategies for strengthening maternal care in their communities.
Through Natün’s Nutrition & Health Program, Indigenous women leaders like Elena participate in workshops and learning exchanges that strengthen their practice while creating opportunities to learn from one another. These spaces reinforce culturally grounded maternal care, strengthen collaboration with public health systems, and support Comadronas as key actors in community wellbeing.
Natün also provides essential medical supplies that help Comadronas continue their work and respond to the needs of mothers and families in their communities.
In 2025, 47 Comadronas participated in knowledge exchange sessions that strengthened collaboration with the Ministry of Health while reinforcing culturally relevant maternal care practices rooted in Indigenous knowledge and community leadership.
When Comadronas are supported, entire communities benefit. Mothers gain access to trusted care close to home, traditional knowledge is preserved and strengthened, and families are able to navigate pregnancy and childbirth with greater support.
Elena’s story is a powerful reminder that community wellbeing is often sustained by local leaders whose knowledge, dedication, and service create lasting impact across generations.
Hear from Elena below.
