Finding Purpose Through Care and Community: Han Cha-Kim’s Journey Into Doula Work

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Supporting Growth Through Doula Education

At bebo mia, we believe that doula training should support both personal and professional growth. Our full spectrum doula training prepares students for fertility, birth, postpartum, and loss care, while our doula scholarship program expands access.

Building a Life Rooted in Creativity and Community

Hello! I am Han Cha-Kim, and I am a proud recipient of the Queers for Queer Care Award! I am a trans-nonbinary person who plans to cater to a queer clientele in my doula work. I have recently moved across country, in search of a queer community that also centers the needs of disabled and immunocompromised folks. I have found a great community so far, and I am looking forward to doing and learning more with them all!

A Creative Spirit Shaped by Art and Curiosity

I have two cats— Cloud and Harvey. They are best buds, and my babies. I like to hangout at home with them, while watching TV, playing video games, and crafting. I earned a BFA in Technical Theatre, and while I no longer do theatre, my love for creating has stuck. I continue to build, paint, draw, and sew. I have also picked up embroidery and block printing. But really, I have the audacity to think I can tackle any creative project put in front of me! I would like to use my skills to create art and educational materials (like zines and posters) to share the information I learn as a doula. When not at home, I like to explore the outdoors, go to art markets, and discover different restaurants. I also enjoy rollerskating, rock climbing, and playing volleyball!

The Moment Birthwork First Entered Their Life

MY PATH TO DOULA WORK

Almost 10 years ago, my sister pulled me out of work to tell me she was pregnant! We were screaming in her car, full of excitement! Unfortunately, two weeks later she also found out she had breast cancer. She made the difficult decision to go through approved chemotherapy for the duration of the pregnancy. I was there for the entirety of labor and delivery; I knew little to nothing about birth at the time. It all seemed so “hustle and bustle” for a time that should be treated with the utmost care (but this didn’t surprise me much, after witnessing cancer care at my sister’s chemo appointments). Then it was time to push, and the nurse had me hold my sister’s leg. I didn’t think twice, and did exactly what they asked of me. My sister later told me, she absolutely did not want me looking at her vulva… but… uh… where the heck else was I supposed to look?! And when I saw my niece’s head pop out– I was agape. The nurse grabbed me, asking if I was okay because most people faint. I assured her I was fine; I was simply amazed by this incredible act of giving birth. I just couldn’t believe how beautiful and triumphant it was.

Grief, Loss, and Learning to Live Alongside It

After two years of trials, chemo, and radiation, my sister was cancer free! But just a few months later, it came back and was metastatic. It moved all throughout her body, and I had to watch my role model whither away in a matter of months– it was devastating. I grieve her every single day. I lost a lot of myself in the beginning, but have found a lot more of myself along the way. It made me realize that grief isn’t a period of time, but an emotion that lives with you forever. Grief doesn’t go away, you just learn to live with it, and grow with it. It also taught me that grief comes in more ways than just death. It comes from friends growing apart, no-contact family members, job loss, changed identities, failed expectations, and so much more. I ignored any grief immediately after my sister passed, and now I welcome it as a friend.

Recognizing the Difference Compassionate Care Can Make

Through this last decade, I have witnessed and experienced poor care in hospitals and therapeutic offices alike. I thought it was normal, until I experienced care in these places that was honest and empathetic. I was shocked when actually being heard, and not just brushed off or misdiagnosed. So— shout out to my most recent therapist and endocrinologist! My therapist and I were talking a lot about my past jobs, and man, have I held a variety of positions… from technician to ESOL teacher, from processing home loans to delivering medical cannabis. There was a common theme in that, I care a lot and work hard at everything I do, which resulted in me often getting taken advantage of. I would get frustrated and move onto another job, in hopes they would value me more. Spoiler alert— they did not.

Discovering a Calling That Finally Aligned With Their Values

Since I was young, I’ve always wanted to help people in some way or another. But I never understood the concept of a “dream job,” because I don’t dream of work. I dream of an interdependent, symbiotic community of different, yet like-minded people. But ya know, we need money in this world! The jobs I had experienced fell short. They didn’t appreciate my empathy or ethics; they only cared about the revenue. When speaking to my therapist about different jobs that would align with my values, doula work kept coming up. I lit up, as I never knew there was a “dream job” that could fit my criteria! A job where I am meant to help people, emotionally, physically, and informationally? Sign me up!

Choosing Bebomia for Inclusive and Transformative Education

MY DOULA GOALS

I am so happy to have found bebo mia for the start of my doula journey. There are so many reasons I chose to be a bebo babe. The top reason is how inclusive they are for gender-nonconforming folks and people of color. They specifically teach using gender neutral language, to make sure everyone feels seen during such a normally gendered experience. They also amplify voices of BIPOC people, as they are disproportionally treated worse in healthcare systems. They even opened their first class of the semester to recognize the Indigenous land we are each settling on. I am on the land of 6 Indigenous communities: Kiikaapoi, Peoria, Myaamia, Kaskaskia, Bodwéwadmi, and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ. What about you ?

A Scholarship That Opened the Door Forward

I am most grateful to have received a full scholarship from bebo mia. I moved from a hostile state to a blue state, with no job lined up. It took me awhile to find a job, as the job market is tough right now, and the job I got only covers my basic needs. Receiving this scholarship has allowed me to start my doula journey immediately. Which hopefully gets me out of this cycle of bad jobs sooner rather than later! I feel so supported by the bebo mia team and community through this next chapter of my life.

A Vision Rooted in Accessibility and Community Care

Once I am fully certified as a birth worker, I will focus on working with queer, disabled, BIPOC, and low income clients. I want the most marginalized people to have access to the incredible work doulas can provide. Once my practice grows to a stable point, I would eventually like to get certified in other areas of doula work— abortion, loss, end of life, and gender transition. I want to use the experiences I’ve had in my own life, to help anyone who needs it. This path is full of many unknowns for me, but I could not be more sure that it’s the right path for me.

Grow Into the Doula You Want to Be

Your journey into doula work can start here. Explore our Birth Doula program or apply for a doula scholarship to take the next step.