The word “orphan” is purposefully omitted from its title as well as any conversations about the Home because of the tremendous stigma surrounding the word. We learned about the myths and history surrounding this stigma from Sister Marguerite who is the resident “mother” to all at St. Mary’s. In her deep, confident voice she astounded us with a series of powerful stories that inspired these entries in “Jan’s Journal” e-newsletter as quoted below.

“There are soothsayers in these parts that can declare a newborn a witch if it's a twin, if the mother dies in childbirth, if it is deformed or if someone in the family is suddenly struck sick.

When the local soothsayer makes his decision regarding the fate of a child, the family is grateful for the information and the soothsayer collects his fee. The family discusses the demise of the child with relatives who usually agree with the soothsayer. Some clandestine person is contacted who is known for his skills in concocting herbs that will kill the child. He collects the child at the home of the family and takes it to a particular hilltop carrying the child in one arm and poison tea in the other. The drink is consumed and the baby is either tossed off the hill or left to die. If a rare intervention occurs, such as the father’s covert “kidnapping”, then the child's life is spared and it is delivered to St. Mary’s.

Sister Mary told us it is not usually the father who is in favor of this practice. It is more often the extended family. Fathers are usually relieved to place their precious children at the orphanage in the arms of a loving woman and sometimes visit when the child is older and less of a threat to the family. Even though it might be revealed that the “witch” did not bring on the evil to the family, many times these children are left there to grow up with no known parents. Upon entering high school, the teenagers must find another home.”

Akunz and I stood in the large, empty concrete area that was surrounded by small, rectangular buildings that housed the children. I plugged in a tape player and reggae music echoed throughout as the children slowly emerged from their rooms. Larmasi, the little two and a half year old girl whom I had held for two days previously, saw me and came running with outstretched arms. When I picked her up, I realized that her face was still no different than it had been every time before, expressionless. I held her in my arms and danced with her towards the center of the play area. We twirled and bounced and I danced to the beat as best I could with her in my arms. She watched my eyes the entire time and at one point she caught herself smiling but then quickly made her face expressionless again. I continued moving and jumping while other children and caregivers joined us when finally Larmasi couldn't help herself and her face broke into a faint little smile. At that moment I felt this rush of joy fill me and I told my friend Akunz, that I couldn’t believe that I was dancing on the playground of an orphanage in Africa. The power of kindness gives in both directions.”

“I held out my arms to an underdeveloped two and a half year old who clutched her white cloth doll with yarn hair. Another girl held on to my leg. A young snotty nosed boy sat on my lap. I looked into the eyes of these innocent, hungry, deprived children and felt the love I had come here to share and not the pity that I started this work with years ago in Ethiopia.

Benefits
Kindness is brought to St. Mary's with a day full of endless amounts of Food and Love.

How You Can Help
$20 buys a 50 kg bag of wholesome rice.

KI intends to “adopt” St. Mary’s Baby Home just as we have adopted so many animals in Ethiopia and now Ghana. We accept donations of children’s supplies as well as funds to feed the orphans. Your cash contribution can be specifically earmarked for this orphanage as we continue to visit them in our bi-yearly travels. We will continue to extend our hand to all the innocent lives that need us. We hope you will help us to do that.