As part of their 2025 May Day celebration, the Upper West branch of the Medical Laboratory Professional Workers Union (MELPWU) spent the day with children at the Firm Lifeline Ministries Orphanage in Jirapa. The children, classified as highly vulnerable, are either orphans or come from impoverished backgrounds.
MELPWU, the umbrella union representing medical laboratory professionals in Ghana, boasts a national membership of about 6000, with 150 serving in the Upper West Region. These professionals play a crucial role in providing diagnostic services to the Ghana Health Service, as well as to faith-based and quasi-government health institutions across the country.
Explaining the union’s choice of celebration, Regional Chairman Boniface Mwintiibu Zuyeri said the union opted for a more socially impactful approach this year. “We wanted to connect with society in a more meaningful way, and we selected Firm Lifeline Ministries Orphanage because it is one of the lesser-known homes in Jirapa,” he said. “Our hope is to build a lasting relationship with the home.”
Pastor Peter Bonga-eo, who manages the orphanage, shared some background on the facility. Established in 2009, the home caters to orphans and other vulnerable children, primarily focusing on providing education. He noted that the home’s population has decreased from 21 to 12, as some of the children have progressed to senior high schools, though they continue to receive support from the home.
The orphanage is funded by a German organization and ensures that all children under its care receive education, healthcare, and essential needs. A resident housemother and volunteer caregivers assist with after-school support, including homework and personal care.
During the visit, the MELPWU team engaged the children in games, interactive sessions, and a health screening exercise. The day concluded with a shared lunch and a donation of essential supplies, including bags of rice, cooking oil, toiletries, used clothing, biscuits, and soft drinks.
The visit brought smiles and joy to the children, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. As the union members said their goodbyes, they left behind not only gifts but also a message of hope and solidarity.
