Accra, July 10, GNA - The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University of the United of America has presented educational materials, books and sporting equipment to the Street Academy to boost its programme of learning and support for the up-keep of the children. The donation, worth about 5,000 US dollars forms part of the University's Service Learning component of its Foundation classes to support less endowed schools and children such as those at the Street Academy.

The Street Academy assists children from various communities in the Greater Accra Region with non-formal education, sports and cultural activities.

A team from the University led by Associate Professor of University Studies, Dr. Deborah Barnes and Dr. Boakye Boateng, an Assistant Professor were accompanied by five students who are on a week-long visit to the country to lend their support to the Street Academy.

Dr Boateng, in brief speech after the presentation of the materials in Accra on Thursday, said the trip was made possible by the Chancellor of the University, Dr. Stanley Battle following an exercise embarked upon by the students governing body at the last semester to solicit for books on various topics to support children of the Academy to enhance their academic performance.

He said, following the success of the programme embarked on by the students culminating in the collection of over 12,000 books, they have decided to mobilise for more books as well as computers as a result of the enthusiasm shown by the pupils of the Academy to make good use of the materials.

Dr Boateng said the long-term goal of the University's Service Learning Foundation is to solicit for more computers to give easy access to the pupils of the Academy towards the establishment of computer literacy programmes.

Nene Ataa Lartey, Director of the Street Academy, who received the educational materials thanked the University for their support, adding that, it has come at the appropriate time since plans are far advanced to relocate to a conducive area to offer improved teaching and learning to the less fortunate children. He said the donation of the educational materials would go a long way in assisting the volunteer teachers to assist the pupils in their studies and welcomed the University's plans to assist the Academy with an Information Communication Technology that would go a long way in assisting the pupils to become computer literate. The pupils later entertained the team to various cultural displays and dances. 10 July 08