Lyfta Time #70: Maria in Colombia (Secondary)

Teacher notes

**Please note:** **We suggest this lesson is suitable for KS3 and above.** However, you could decide to explore this 'U' certificate film with KS2 given some context and explanation to support the following: - the film is set in an area of Colombia beset by local conflict. - Maria describes a potent herbal drink called Tomaseca that is made from medicinal plants and alcohol which is used during labour - She tells a story where gunshots are heard on a midwifery visit - She recalls a story from the ‘old people’ about angels, the spirit world and babies - which she laughs off, but which might need your reassurance if sharing with younger learners. **Whilst this film is a BBFC ‘U’ rated film please watch the film first.** This lesson introduces Maria, an Afro-Colombian midwife In Colombia. We meet her as she goes about her work caring for pregnant women and their babies in Buenaventura, a city on Colombia’s Pacific coast. The local area has local tensions and conflict, and the film shows security forces patrolling. The Colombian government declared "las parteras" (Spanish for midwives) as a national heritage practice in an effort to recognise and preserve the women's ancestral knowledge. They have applied with other countries for las parteras to be placed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list with UNESCO. This mini-lesson can be delivered either from the front of the classroom using a central computer and screen, or for students who have access to their own computers or devices. Like ALL Lyfta storyworlds, these characters are unique. We don't share stories as being 'typical' or as 'single stories' of people or places. **Please note:** If this is your first Lyfta lesson, please see these specially designed introductory lesson plans first, which introduce the Quest Tracker and how Lyfta works: Option 1: '#1 Lyfta Time: Rob in Cornwall' is a 20 minute introduction exploring one storyworld Option 2: ‘How to use Lyfta’ is a 45 minute lesson exploring multiple storyworlds.