Jirapa (UWR), Nov. 17, GNA - The Nurse in charge of the Saint Joseph Orphanage at Jirapa, Sister Lydia Maasangyiri, has called on public-spirited individuals from the Upper West Region and benevolent organisations to contribute for the upkeep of the 26 orphans at the centre.

She said it lacks lactation foods to feed the orphans who were in dire need of basic needs to enhance their survival and growth. Sister Maasangyiri made the called when Hajia Ramatu Mahama, wife of Vice President Aliu Mahama presented blankets and beverages to the orphanage as part of her contribution towards the upkeep of the orphans at the centre.

She said most of the orphans' mothers had come from the region but went to the Brong-Ahafo Region to do white colour jobs in the rural communities and never had antenatal care during pregnancy resulting in their deaths after delivery due to complications. She said drains at the centre were poor and sometimes the children got themselves wet in the stagnant water and smeared their bodies with mud resulting in their poor health.

Hajia Ramatu Mahama promised to assist to alleviate their suffering and gave a cash of two million cedis to the authorities to buy lactation foods for the meantime.

Earlier, she presented Islamic literature to the T.I. Ahmadiyya Muslim Senior High School and the Islamic Senior High Schools in Wa and advised the students to take their studies seriously. She urged the students to read the books to guide them in life and to have a sense of the fear of God in them in whatever fields they found themselves. Hajia Ramatu Mahama also made similar presentation to the Bone Setter Clinic at Gwollu in the Sissala West District.