Serving God by Serving the Marginalised
CWM is a Missionary Non-profit NGO in Northern Ghana reaching out to vulnerable women in witch camps.
In the North of Ghana, there are so-called ‘witch camps.’ These are places where women who are accused of being witches are sent to live. It is believed, that in these camps their powers are kept under control. Many of their family members believe the witchcraft accusation and so they are seen as outcasts. This means that they receive no support from their families.
Most of the women who end up in these camps have no main source of income and, because of their age, they are not able to work in order to provide for themselves.
They do not have enough food and portable water.
They have no access to healthcare.
They are easily abused and exploited.
CWM seeks to share the love of Jesus with these vulnerable women by meeting their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. Through visits, counselling, love and friendship, we aim to give them back their sense of dignity and improve their overall well-being.
“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! (Romans 10:14 -15)
Motto: Serving God by Serving the Marginalized
ABOUT THE FOUNDER
Rev. Sarah Yamusah Azeka
FOUNDERI am an ordained minister of the Ghana Baptist Convention. I grew up in various parts of Northern Ghana, and I witnessed how these vulnerable women were treated once they were accused of being witches. Some were beaten or stoned to death right under my watch. This practice is still a common phenomenon in the north of Ghana. The ‘lucky ones’ are excommunicated from their communities. The only places they find refuge are designated places called “Witch camps.”
Growing up in this environment, I was deeply affected to see the suffering I witnessed. When I became aware of God’s love for humanity, Jesus’ mission on earth to seek and save the lost in Luke 19:10, and Jesus’ ministry to the outcasts in Scripture, I began to ask questions about what could be done to demonstrate God’s love to these vulnerable women. I want to see them have a hope and to know the love that Christ extends to them. This prompted me to write my Master’s Thesis at Tyndale Theological Seminary (The Netherlands) about how the Church should support these vulnerable women. After finishing my thesis, I set up Care for Women Ministry (CWM), to put my research into action.
What Make Us Different
Why we are different
While other charities visit the women from time to time, CWM seeks to visit the women on a regular basis (monthly) and to develop and strengthen relationships with them. These women have been rejected and abandoned and feel that no-one outside the camps cares for them or wants anything to do with them. Through regular visits and pastoral care, listening to their stories and comforting them in their sorrow, we seek to bring relief and healing.
How does CWM do this?
CWM’s approach is five-fold:
- Offering pastoral care, spiritual guidance and relationship. We want the women to know they are loved and extend the hand of friendship.
- Provision of basic needs of food and clothing.
- Seeking ways to provide for special needs such as healthcare and suitable housing.
- Advocacy and awareness campaignsto educate communities in order to stop the false accusation and fear.
- Provide income-generating activities for these vulnerable women.
- Join us in visiting the women to share God’s love with them and advocate for their dignity in the communities.
On our regular visits to the camps, we do not want to simply give some supplies and leave. We want to spend quality time interacting with the women and forming meaningful relationships. We sometimes even sleep with them in their mud houses with thatched roofs without electricity or running water. We cook with them and eat with them. We listen to their individual stories and we share in their pain; we cry with them and we laugh with them. We share the Gospel with them and we pray for them. We want them to feel loved and valued.
Become the One Who is Considered a Hero
The Care for Women Ministry thrives on the generous contributions of those committed to supporting God’s Kingdom. Your donations are essential in enabling us to continue our mission of empowering marginalized women and fostering positive change within our communities.
