Accra, July 23, GNA - Gripped by the spirit of charity, a 15 year-old high school student from the United States has flown into Ghana with over 1,000 toys for distribution to needy children. Making her first presentation to the Child Health Department, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on Monday, Ms Rachel Bervell, said she was motivated by her love for children and her motherland to do the gesture. She told the Ghana News Agency that she solicited support from her classmates and other students at the Kamiak High School in Mukiltoe, Washington DC, to put smiles on the faces of underprivileged children in the country.

Ms Bervell said between May and June, she advertised in her school to encourage all students to support the initiative dubbed " Hugs for Ghana" and that was how she took deliver of such large number of toys.

"My long term vision for Hugs for Ghana charity drive is to expand the project to become a non-profit organisation in future so that I can annually give gifts of toys and reading materials to Ghanaian children", she added.

Mr Joseph Bervell, Rachel's father, said the family was supporting her to achieve her aim and that she would make subsequent presentations to the Osu Children's Home, the Princess Marie Louise Hospital and other communities and health centres in the Western Region.