Young people have been encouraged to share their blessings and what they have, no matter how small, with people in need.
That is a sign of showing appreciation and gratitude to God and also showing love as instructed by Christ.
Delivering a message at the Ridge Church School’s annual harvest and outreach programme, the Auxiliary Minister of the Accra Ridge Church, Rev. Fr Reginald Lawson, said gratitude for God's protection and provision should lead people to give, stressing that despite illness, changing weather, and worry, the students had much to be thankful for, and that gratitude should shape how people live.
"The true value of harvest is in what we share," the Auxiliary Minister told the congregation, which was made up of staff of the school, the learners and some parents.
Annual harvest
The annual harvest and outreach programme supports local hospitals, orphanages, and community centres with generous donations from pupils, parents, and staff.
The items, mobilised by students with the support of their parents, included groceries, toiletries, beverages, bottled water, fruits, bread, foodstuffs, canned foods, and cooking oil.
This year's beneficiary institutions include the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Father Campbell SVD Foundation, and Motherly Love Orphanage.
The programme was established in the school's early years to instil in learners the value of helping the needy and vulnerable in society, in alignment with the Christian principle of the school.
It provides learners with the opportunity to express their gratitude to God in a practical way. The event traditionally begins a few weeks ahead, with each student contributing an offering of money, culminating in the gathering of the items, which are then presented on the altar of the Ridge Church.
Cheerful giver
Rev. Fr. Lawson illustrated this with everyday examples, from siblings sharing toys to students helping classmates with schoolwork.
He encouraged the children to always help and give wholeheartedly, reminding them that God loved a cheerful giver.
He emphasised that people were blessed so they could bless others. Citing Genesis 12:2 and comparing people to fruit-bearing trees, he said, "We are blessed to become a blessing."
He also challenged the school community to see education as more than earning certificates or entering a profession. Its deeper purpose, he said, included making a positive difference in other people's lives.
He encouraged the community to let its harvest continue to bring joy and support to others beyond the event.
He prayed, "May we never become so blessed that we forget those who are struggling, so successful that we become insensitive, or so comfortable that we lose the ability to care."
The Board Chair of the school, Vivian Campbell, encouraged the students to recognise that each person had something valuable to share, whether it was talent, knowledge, a kind word, or simple courtesy.
