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About us

In 2008, Sarah Deckenbacher, Julia Obereder and Tamara Pottfay completed an internship at an orphanage in northern Ghana as part of their social work studies. On site, they experienced a reality that shook them to the core: the children had too little to eat, no clean drinking water, suffered from illnesses and were unable to go to school. The living conditions were precarious and there was a lack of basic supplies.

It became clear to the students at the time that they had to take action – and so BRAVEAURORA was founded with the aim of improving the situation of these children in the long term. It only became apparent later that most of these children were not orphans at all, but had been separated from their families due to poverty.
This realisation fundamentally changed the organisation's focus: instead of supporting orphanages, BRAVEAURORA now focuses on reintegration and family support. The reintegration programme reunites children with their relatives, while training initiatives give parents the opportunity to earn a stable income. Because when poverty is no longer the reason for separation, children can grow up where they belong – in their families.

The organization’s name, BRAVEAURORA, reflects this mission. BRAVE stands for the courage of children who face immense challenges, while AURORA symbolizes the beautiful morning light that brings hope and new beginnings. Despite the difficult circumstances that many people in northern Ghana endure, the sun rises every morning, reminding us that change is possible. As a Ghanaian proverb says, "The sun doesn’t forget a village because it is small." This belief in resilience and opportunity is at the heart of BRAVEAURORA’s work.

Bungalow Icon
illegal orphanages closed
children reintegrated in families
people successfully trained
students educated & trained

Our vision

A society in which every child is safe and secure and can develop their full potential.

Our mission

We create better living conditions for children in Ghana so that they can grow up healthy in their families and lead a life of dignity.

Why do we focus on children?
Children are the most vulnerable members of society. They suffer particularly from poverty, hunger and crises. Child protection is essential, because:

  • Early negative experiences can have lifelong consequences.
  • Children have the right to protection and care.
  • Child protection prevents abuse, child labour and human trafficking.
  • Education and development are promoted in order to break the cycle of poverty.

Effective child protection not only secures the future of children, but also that of society as a whole.

Challenges in northern Ghana

The people of northern Ghana face numerous challenges that make their living conditions considerably more difficult:

Poverty and hunger

  • In some districts, up to 70% of the population lives below the poverty line.
  • Malnutrition impairs children's physical and mental development and makes them more susceptible to disease.

Lack of infrastructure

  • The lack of roads, electricity and water supply hinders economic development and access to education.

Climate change

  • Irregular rainfall, droughts and floods lead to crop failures and exacerbate poverty and hunger.

Dependence on agriculture

  • 80-90% of the rural population depends on agriculture and is therefore extremely vulnerable to climate change and market fluctuations.
  • A lack of alternatives leads to financial insecurity and threatens the livelihood of families.

Urgent need for child protection

  • Children are particularly vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and neglect.
  • Child labour is widespread because families are forced to send their children to work instead of allowing them to attend school.

Our answer: Sustainable solutions for a better future

BRAVEAURORA implements targeted projects to counteract these challenges:

  • Promoting education: Support for schools and scholarship programmes for talented students.
  • Vocational training: Training programmes for parents to ensure long-term financial security.
  • Feeding Hopes: Immediate help for malnourished children through hospital care and nutritional education.
  • Strengthening child protection: Reintegration of children from orphanages back into their families.

Each of our programmes helps to break the cycle of poverty and give children real prospects for the future.

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