Provide Beds for Exiled Accused ‘Witches’ in Ghana

In northern Ghana, women accused of witchcraft—most of them elderly, widowed, and profoundly vulnerable—are cast out of their communities and forced to live in isolated places like Gambaga camp, a sanctuary of last resort. It's a cruel paradox: while the camp offers safety from violence, the conditions are bleak.

There are no beds. No mats. No padding of any kind. The women sleep directly on the cold, hard ground—ground that becomes waterlogged during the rainy season, leading to widespread illness among those already in fragile health.

I’m Claire Thomas, a photojournalist who has been documenting life in these camps for more than 15 years. I recently returned to Gambaga on a Pulitzer Center–supported reporting trip and was devastated to see how little has changed. Around 80 women live there at any given time—some newly arrived, others exiled for decades.

I’m launching this campaign to raise funds to buy mattresses for every woman in the camp—something so basic, yet completely life-changing.

Each locally sourced mattress costs around £36 GBP / $50 USD, and your support will go directly toward:

• Purchasing and transporting mattresses to Gambaga

• Providing essential items like soap, blankets, and health supplies, especially for the most elderly and unwell women

• Supporting women like Bachalbanueya, a widow who has lived in the camp for 45 years, and suffers from serious health problems

• Covering my return travel to Ghana next year to personally deliver the mattresses and document the process transparently

More than a decade ago, I ran a similar campaign that helped provide mattresses to over 70 women living with HIV/AIDS in Ghana’s Ashanti Region. I was moved beyond words by the outpouring of support—and I believe we can do it again.

If we exceed the goal, any surplus will go toward additional needs in the camp, helping make life a little more comfortable for some of the most marginalised women in Ghana.

I’ll be documenting and sharing every step of the journey. Your support—however small—means the world.

With heartfelt thanks,

Claire