In 1991 when the Ursuline Sisters in Mthatha decided to withdraw from St. Mary's Maternity Home, they were concerned about local mothers and their sick babies. They decided to build a small house where such mothers and their babies could be looked after.

Through co-operation with Child Welfare South Africa Mthatha, a site was procured in Ngangelizwe, an Mthatha township, and a small house was built. Destitute mothers now had a place to stay while the health needs of the babies were met. During the time the mothers were there, they were given training in infant care, hygiene, gardening, cooking and baking.

The home was named Bethany Home and blessed by Bishop Brook. The Ursuline Sisters asked the Social Welfare Commission of the Catholic Diocese of Mthatha to run the Home. The Commission accepted the responsibility and appointed the Bethany Home Committee.

The Child Protection Unit and social workers were at a loss where to take abandoned, neglected and/or abused children. The Bethany Home Committee saw this as an even greater need than caring for mothers with sick babies and consequently in 1995 Bethany Home began to admit abandoned, neglected and/or abused infants.

The increasing poverty and related social problems meant that the number of children abandoned in Mthatha increased each year. As a result the house in Ngangelizwe proved to be too small. In February 1999 Bethany Home was moved to the former St. Theresa's Home Economics School at Glen Avent, Ikhwezi Township on the outskirts of Mthatha. The new building could accommodate the ever increasing size of the Bethany family.

Over the years Bethany has continued to grow and extend. In 2004 a new nursery was opened and a new, larger playroom - this was in response to over 70 little people needing more space. In 2006 Bethany Home opened new bedrooms for the twenty oldest children, which relieved some of the overcrowding in the old dormitory.

Bethany continues to adapt as it faces new challenges and searches for new solutions for vulnerable children.