Accra, June 19, GNA- The Ladies' Association of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) on Saturday organized a thanksgiving and fundraising programme to solicit 10 million cedis as funds to support the Street Academy.

The Street Academy, established some 16 years ago as a recreational centre for street children in the Accra Metropolis, has trained over 700 children who are now receiving formal education.

About 12 boys were first recruited to the Academy, which currently has 92 students doing between one and three years education in basic Mathematics and English language and others being trained in vocational and sporting activities.

The Academy, which is sponsored by philanthropists, organizations and Institutions, has prepared 25 children to be sent to formal schools in September.

At the fundraising ceremony, President of the Association, Miss Rebecca Mensah, said the Association adopted the Academy some four years ago as soon as it was established to "give hope to those fragile children on the streets".

She said it also adopted the Academy "to restore hope and smiles to these under privileged children and have since been supporting them with widows mites from time to time".

The Executive Secretary of the Association, Mrs Barbara Quaye said the proceeds from the programme would be donated to the Academy to help refurbish the infrastructure and also cater for the needs of the children.

She appealed to all to support the good work of the Founder of the Academy, Mr Atta Lartey to help find hope for the unfortunate children. Mr Lartey commended the Ladies for their continuous support apart from what their mother organization the AMA was doing for the Academy. He said the school currently needs furniture.

He disclosed that over 92 percent of the children taken off the street have identified mothers but could not tell of their fathers and that such children were asked to stay with their mothers and attend classes while those without identified parents were given to trustees to care for them with the Academy sponsoring them. 19 June 04