Koforidua, Aug. 02 GNA - Ms Florence Owusua Afriyie, a philanthropist, on Monday donated GHC 1,000 towards the upkeep of Marvelyn Ohemen Marfo, a hole in-heart child, at Madina, Accra.

Presenting the amount, Ms Afriyie, a hairdresser, indicated that the amount was not enough for the upkeep of the little girl so she had sought the assistance of friend in the United States, who had promised to support the cost of surgery.

She said she was delighted to help the poor little girl who through no fault of hers was confronted with such an ailment.

Ms Afriyie urged parents, whose children may be suffering from those ailments, to understand that they were medical issues and had nothing to do with curses from the societal gods.

She noted that in the past such ailments were believed to be punishment for wrong doings in the community and so the victims were abandoned in the forest to die as a way to pacify the gods.

Ms Afriyie encouraged other individuals and organizations to support the girl so that in the near future when they see her healthy again, "we can all say we made it possible with the help of God."

She announced that she had been donating clothes to the needy and the aged in the Birim South District, aimed at lessening their plight and to make them happy.

Ms Afriyie said she was also assisting young ladies who due to poverty, could not complete school, or learn any vocation, by training them free of charge in hairdressing at her Salon, "Nakos Beauty Parlor," at Akyem Oda.

Mrs Ama Kwakye, mother of the child, who received the donation thanked Ms Afriyie for the gesture.