Afrikids

AfriKids works to support and expand the work of local individuals and groups in Northern Ghana, and this is exactly what we are doing with Laadi. Laadi is now manager of ‘Operation Mango Tree’, one of AfriKids’ 7 major projects and we have nearly finished building her amazing family a new home. Paul is also contributing to this project personally through the sale of his own CD single, recorded as part of the Make Poverty History campaign.

Mama Laadi’s Foster Family

"The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."
Chalmers, Allan K.

At Mama Laadi’s house, the day begins at 4am when she gets up to start making an enormous vat of porridge to fill her 30 children and set them up for their day at school. It’s not just that Laadi cares for 30 children that is incredible, it is that she is mother to the most vulnerable and damaged children in one of the poorest corners of the world. The children have no parents able to care for them and most were found on the street alone and struggling to survive. Every child who has joined the family was malnourished at first and many were severely ill. One of the boys has epilepsy, others have physical and mental health conditions and many have learning difficulties which have gone undiagnosed due to a lack of access to healthcare in Northern Ghana. At least half of her children were rejected by their families due to local traditional beliefs; those born with certain conditions or in particular circumstances are believed to be possessed by evil spirits and are not wanted.

Laadi is undoubtedly the most inspirational person we have ever met. To her life is simple, it may not be easy, but it is simple. She uses every ounce of energy, love and affection and whatever money and material goods she comes by to improve the lives of children who do not have the love and support that they deserve. She is just 35 but in the last 15 years she has cared for over 100 children who have been orphaned, abandoned or abused. Undoubtedly, Laadi’s own story has a lot to do with her determination to help others. She fled to the streets of Bolgatanga at age 14 when her parents, who could not afford to support her, tried to force her into a nunnery. Laadi lived a hand to mouth existence on the streets for several years, doing what work she could to pay her school fees and buy food. Eventually she was able to train as a nurse and began to build her family around her.

“I am not ashamed of living a life on the streets, in fact I am proud of it, it has led me to where I am today. Although I may not be materially wealthy, when I am able to nurse a dying child back to health and vitality it fills me with a richness that the wealthiest person in the world has seldom felt.”