Muslims Family Supports Agency assists needy children.

Nsawam (E/R), Oct. 5, GNA - One hundred and twenty brilliant but needy school children of Alrajhi Islamic School at Adoagyiri near Nsawam in the Akuapem South District on Monday received school materials worth 1.3 million cedis. The items, which included 3000 notebooks and pens, were donated by the Muslims Family Supports Agency. The Agency also awarded six of the beneficiaries being orphans a two-year scholarship each to enable them to complete their education.

Alhaji Musah Zakari, the President of the Nsawam branch Agency, who made the presentation, said it formed part of its programme to support needy but brilliant muslems school children. He said the Agency would launch a Muslims Education Endowment Fund to support its programme and said some of the money would be used on public campaign against early marriages, pre-marital sex and teenage pregnancy. He advised parents to invest in their children's education, especially the girl-child to enable them acquire skills and knowledge needed for national reconstruction.

Mr Samuel Acheampong, the Circuit Supervisor for the Adoagyiri Area, lauded the Agency's efforts at promoting education among Muslim children. He, however, expressed concern about the increasing child labour, child abuse and parental neglect in the area and called on individuals and organisations to assist reverse the trend. Mr Acheampong said about 65 percent of children of school going age in the area were denied access to education as result of the lack of parental care and asked the people to take the education of their children seriously.

Mr Abu Suleman, head teacher of the school, thanked the Agency for the assistance and said the items apart from supporting the children in their academic work, would also motivate them to learn harder. Hajia Mama Zakari, President of the Federation of Muslims Women Association, Nsawam branch, said the Associations would initiate measures aimed at promoting education and the welfare of children. She presented a cheque for 500,000 cedis to cover their school fees and other school expenses of four orphans of the Alrajhi Islamic School.