By Kamal Ahmed
Somanya (E/R), Sept. 17, GNA – The Henry Djaba Memorial Foundation (HDMF), in partnership with No Limit Charity Organisation (NLCO), has presented 210 school uniforms to students of SRA Presbyterian Junior High School in Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality.
The initiative seeks to give learners hope, boost their confidence and remove barriers that prevent children from accessing basic education because of inadequate school uniforms.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, Dr. Otiko Afisah Djaba, Executive Director of HDMF, commended No Limit Charity Organisation for supporting the project.
She described the initiative as a significant investment in the education and well-being of children in Yilo Krobo.
She said HDMF contributed GH¢17,000 towards sewing the 210 uniforms and accessories through its fashion design instructor and final-year students.
“Your remarkable initiative demonstrates your commitment to the education and well-being of future leaders of Yilo Krobo. This generous presentation has eased the burden on parents to provide new uniforms for their children,” she said.
Dr. Djaba stressed that every child deserved dignity in school, adding that no learner should be left out or mocked because of a poor school uniform.
The former Gender Minister also presented brass band musical instruments to the school to enhance the teaching and learning of music.
Ms. Rita Esionam Garglo, Chief Executive Officer of No Limit Charity Organisation, said that the donation was the organisation’s first uniform project in the Eastern Region under its “Uniform for the Needy Child” initiative.
She explained that the partnership began after meeting Dr. Djaba at a United Nations conference in March, where they discussed challenges facing pupils at SRA Presbyterian JHS.
Ms. Garglo said the organisation provided all the uniform materials, while HDMF voluntarily sewed them, creating a partnership to support vulnerable learners.
“The initiative is to build the confidence of students and make them punctual because children in torn uniforms are often mocked by their peers. We believe this project will help reduce that challenge,” she said.
She added that the organisation aimed to extend the project to deprived and underserved communities across Ghana over the next 10 years.
Madam Rejoice Larko Narh, Headmistress of SRA Presbyterian JHS, expressed her gratitude to both organisations for their commitment to education.
She noted that the donation would improve enrolment, attendance and learners’ self-esteem.
She said although the school was located in an urban community, many learners still attended classes in worn-out uniforms, while others stayed home because their parents could not afford replacements.
“Teachers sometimes bought uniforms, exercise books and other learning materials for needy pupils to keep them in school,” she added.
She appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists and stakeholders to support the school with uniforms, exercise books and writing materials to ensure that no child was denied quality education because of poverty.
GNA
Editing by D.I. Laary/Kenneth Odeng Adade
Reporting by Kamal Ahmed
Reporter’s email: [email protected]