By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi, GNA
Accra, Oct. 29, GNA – The Heartfelt Philanthropy Network and fellows of the Elevate Africa Fellowship have visited the Street Academy in Accra to support its efforts to improve the welfare and development of children.
The visit formed part of efforts by the organisations to give back to the community and promote opportunities for children through education, healthcare and other social support programmes.
Ms Yvonne Abba-Opoku, Founder and Director of the Heartfelt Philanthropy Network, said the organisation had supported the Street Academy since 2019 because of its commitment to serving vulnerable children.
She said the visit offered the Elevate Africa fellows an opportunity to learn about the Academy’s activities, including its health, education and feeding programmes
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency after having lunch with the children and giving them some pairs of shoes, dresses and other learning materials, Ms Opoku said the organisation was committed to directing philanthropic support to communities and people who needed it most.
Ms Selma Nasheya, a Namibian and one of the 21 fellows of the Elevate Africa Fellowship, said community service was an important part of their programme and the visit was a learning curve for them.
She described the visit as worthwhile, saying the work at the Street Academy demonstrated the importance of love, support and opportunities in helping African children realise their potential.
The fellows interacted with the Academy’s nurse, teachers, chef and pupils to understand how its programmes contributed to the children’s welfare, education and social mobility.
Mr Alfred Nii Kotey Ashie, Member of Parliament (MP) for the Odododiodio constituency who graced the occasion, called for the replication of the Street Academy’s model nationwide to provide vulnerable children with better opportunities to become responsible and productive citizens.
He said the Academy had helped the children appreciate life, build meaningful relationships and develop the skills needed to contribute positively to society.
The MP said he had supported the Academy’s founder, Mr Ataa Lartey, since his teenage years, including providing counselling and encouragement to the children.
“Plans are underway to raise the Academy’s impact in Parliament next year to attract government attention and support for its expansion. Former boxing champion Joseph Agbeko is one of the personalities who benefited from this institution,” he said
The visit also sought to inspire the children to develop confidence in themselves and aspire to leadership roles that would enable them to give back to society.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade
Patrick Ofoe Nudzi