Gomoa Fetteh (C/R), March 14, GNA - The Youth Association of Accra Newtown Evangelical Presbyterian Church, on Saturday donated items worth GHC 1,400 and a cash of GHC 100 to the Village of Hope Orphanage at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region. The items donated included bags of locally produced rice, sugar, maize, soap, toilet rolls and used clothing.

The president of the association, Mr. Israel Agblevor, who presented the items on behalf of the members said the donation was aimed at showing love and care to their brothers and sisters at the orphanage. Mr. Agblevor said he would partner with some associations in the church to be able to donate more in subsequent visits to help in the up keep of the orphanage. He urged other churches, individuals and organisations to visit the orphanage and donate to the inmates.

Miss Agnes Odame, an orphan who received the items on behalf of the orphanage thanked the church for the kind gesture and called on other public spirited individuals and organisations to emulate the good example. Mr. Rowland Bulley, Education Manager of the orphanage said the donation had portrayed the Christian spirit in the church and advised other churches to follow the shining example. He said the orphanage was currently going through financial crises, which was making it difficult for the authorities to pay teachers, maintain the home and feed the inmates.

Mr. Bulley said most of the children at the home had registered for the National Health Insurance Scheme, but were yet to receive their cards. He said the undue delay in the issuance of the cards by the National Health Insurance Authority was undermining the access of the inmates to medical care. Mr. Bulley thanked Cal Bank, Ecobank and Guarantee Trust Bank for their numerous support for the home and called on other corporate institutions to also come to their aid.

The Village of Hope Orphanage was established in 1999 with eight children, but currently has a population of 220 children and 661 students. The home was initiated by Church of Christ to educate orphans and also alleviate the plight of street children and give them hope in life. By 2015 the home would have its own senior high school and a University in 2020.