Philanthropist pays school fees for 14 needy pupils

Tema, Aug. 22, GNA - Mrs Madui Tay-Darkey, a Systems Analyst of Intermodal Shipping Agency, Ghana at Tema has put smiles on the faces of 14 pupils of Tema Padmore Number Two School, when she settled all their school fees for them.

But for her, the aspirations of the pupils of going back to school next academic year would have remained in the balance, because despite the efforts, their parents could not settle the fees of 35,000 cedis a year. The presentation ceremony on Saturday at the Padmore School however, was sorrowful, as the donor and some mothers of the beneficiaries could not hold back their tears and wept bitterly.

Mrs Tay-Darkey said when the headteacher of the school, Madam Margaret Mavis Sackey informed the Tema branch of the Women's Aglow of which she is a member, of the plight of the children. Mrs Tay-Darkey sought God's guidance for assistance as to how to help the children.

"I had money for the fees and school uniforms totalling one million cedis to support the 14 children and it is my wish that God continues to support the kids to complete their education and excel in life".

Amid tears, Mrs Tay-Darkey, also a mother, said education, the bedrock of development is a right, which everyone appreciates to seek, yet the unfortunate children were being deprived of because of poverty.

She said given the opportunity, these children could grow and excel in their academic endeavours to contribute positively towards the growth of the nation.

Madam Sackey expressed gratitude to the donor for bringing hope to the kids who would have been thrown to the streets to add up to the number on our streets.

She said, out of sympathy she occasionally pays the fees for some of the pupils.

Madam Elizabeth Amarley, mother of two of the beneficiaries who felt embarrassed by the turn of events and wept bitterly, blamed her poor financial situation and also being a single parent.

"As a petty trader who sells gari and sugar on table top at home, I use the proceeds from the sales for food, so two of my six children could not have the opportunity to go to school at all, while two are dropouts."

Another mother, Madam Mary Asantewaa, a petty trader said, as a widow, she is the sole parent of her two kids and since she sells her enamels on credit, this makes money very difficult to come by in bulk to take care of the home, let alone paying fees.