Compassion International donates shoes to needy children

Over 30,000 schoolchildren are to benefit from the distribution of shoes donated by Compassion International Ghana, a child-related   non-governmental organisation (NGO).
The NGO has donated 30,720 shoes to the Faith Community Child Development Centre in Accra, for onward distribution to needy children in society.

The shoe distribution programme forms part of Compassion International’s company policy to provide shoes to needy children for a number of years.

It is an intervention that aims at ensuring that the poor and needy do not become school dropouts due to lack of shoes.

In 2010, Compassion International distributed 12,906 shoes to schoolchildren in the Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern and Central regions.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Country Director of Compassion International Ghana, Mr Padmore Baffour Agyapong, noted that the distribution of shoes to the needy children will significantly improve their health and reduce absenteeism in schools.

‘You will not believe it, but some children, even in Greater Accra, still go to school barefooted or in some kind of torn sandals that look demeaning. The story could be worse in the rural areas, given the level of poverty and degradation they live in’, he added.

Mr Baffour Agyapong also disclosed that his outfit was contributing its quota to the development of the education sector in order for the country to achieve the Millenium Development Goal which aims at achieving universal primary education.

On behalf of Compassion International Ghana, Mr Agyapong expressed his appreciation to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection; Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning; Ministry of Education and the Department of Social Welfare, for facilitating the clearance of the shoes at the port.

Receiving the items on behalf of the Faith Community Child Development Centre, Reverend Anthony Kyeremeh thanked Compassion International Ghana for their benevolence and assured them that the shoes would be fairly distributed to the needy.

By Franklin Badu Jnr & Daniel Agbenyega/Daily Graphic/Ghana