Christmas came early for moms, soon-to-be moms, and families in the St. Louis region. The Jamaa Birth Village’s annual Mother Blessing Baby Shower and Fundraiser gave away free car seats, diapers, receiving blankets, and more.
Okunsola M. Amadou, founder, and CEO of Jamaa Birth Village, was filled with joy when she saw the smiling faces of the families she has served or is currently serving. “I truly believe the creator put me on this planet to give back and be a servant and charitable,” the CEO said.
Families and kids enjoyed a live DJ playing holiday tunes, candy canes, crafts, and a hearty breakfast. But the big bonus was having a picture with CoCo Santa. The annual event is sponsored by the St. Louis County Department of Health and the Missouri Foundation for Health, with a strong assist from local clergy members who also donated money and items needed for the community.
“It takes a village of support for us to create a village of support for our families,” Amadou said. The first mother blessing baby shower was in 2016, marking St. Louis’ first doula-led baby shower for the community at large on Church Street in Ferguson. The baby shower had gently used items, childbirth education, postpartum discussions on physical, mental and spiritual healing. Amadou wants expecting moms to be stress free, and the mother blessing baby shower events help relieve some of that stress.
St. Louis County Department of Health purchased car seats and postpartum kits.Other sponsors and donors helped with diapers and baby wipes. Jama Village upholds the idea of centering the mother, meaning proper care for the mother can result in a healthier baby. The mother blessing kits include comforting items like essential oils, a journal, and body scrubs.
Over the years, Amadou has seen moms suffer low self-esteem after giving birth.
“We give items that will help them feel good and well,” Amadou said. Other gift items are herbal maternity pads and baby clothes. Jama Village also has a mother and baby closet where families can get free clothing at the event.
Expecting mom of two Teiana Edwards said she was most excited about the postpartum goodie bag. She described the event as “wonderful.” Edwards said that Jama Birth Village gives her so much love and support she doesn’t feel alone or like she is doing this pregancy by herself. Her first two pregnancies were traumatic, she said. Finding Jama Village lets her know that there are others who are willing to help.
Jasmine Jackson, a returning mother to the village, said her family was received with warmth and intention. “I am grateful for the support from the village,” Jackson said. Her oldest son is five and a lot of the things he had as a baby Jackson has donated. She said the rising cost of baby needs can be overwhelming. Having the opportunity to get a free car seat, baby clothes, diapers and wipes is right on time for her family.
Jamaa Birth Village was founded in 2015, in Ferguson. In 2020, Amadou opened Missouri’s First Black led Midwifery clinic. Her leadership helped grow the St. Louis Black doula community from less than 10 Black practicing doulas in 2015 to certifying nearly 500 doulas in eight years through her community doula training.
“We want families to feel that abundance of love,” Amadou said.
Kamara Warner, a contracted doula with Jama Brith Village, enjoys being a support to the families she serves. “We are letting the community know we are in it with them,” said Warner. The doula said that is the number one goal of the village.
Christmas can be a stressful time of year for some families as the cost-of-living goes higher, putting a financial strain on families already strapped for cash. “Having this event this time of year gives our families some relief,”she added.
Ashley Winters is a Report for America reporter for the St. Louis American.