Omo Child
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OMO CHILD Foundation saves and cares for Mingi children of the Omo River region of Southwest Ethiopia, Africa.
We house 44 wonderful children, ranging from just-rescued infants to thriving ten year olds, in two homes located in Jinka, Ethiopia. OMO CHILD's mission is to stop Mingi, the ritualistic killing of infants and children, and to provide education and a safe, nurturing shelter for rescued children in the Omo River region of Southwest Ethiopia. These children will be future leaders in their tribes and communities.
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Encinitas, CA
92023
General information
“Mingi” is defined as being ritually impure in certain tribes in Southwest Ethiopia, including the Kara and Hamar people in the Omo Valley. Children are deemed “mingi” or ritually impure, for a variety of reasons, including being born out of wedlock, being a twin, chipping a tooth in childhood or having the upper, baby teeth grow in before the lower, among other reasons.
“Mingi” children are killed by being left in the wilderness to be preyed upon by animals, or by being drowned in the Omo River. They can be killed in early infancy or later in childhood when these events occur.
The tribes who follow the traditional Mingi practices believe that failure to eliminate these “impure” children will bring famine and disease to their people.