Mother of Mercy Babies Home, Sirigu, Ghana

With a lack of education the numbers of early pregnancies, where the mother may not be prepared to nurse a baby or may die due to birthing complications are high in this part of Ghana. Children who lose a parent during their birth may be considered “spirit children”, and through harmful traditional practices may be abandoned or killed. In response to this situation, the Navrongo-Bolgatanga Diocese established the MMBH to give a home to babies at risk and look after them. When a child reaches three years of age, and if it is reasonable to do so, the sisters aim to re-home the child with their family, offering education and support to ensure a smooth transition. Those who are unable to return to their families are linked-up with the Centre for Child Development for ongoing care beyond infancy.