The Jerrylyn Foundation, a nonprofit organisation has supported the Junior Girls Correctional Centre (JGCC) in Osu with bags of water and toilteries.
JGCC was established by government to give character reformation and vocational training to juvenile offenders.
The toiletries ranged from soaps, toilet rolls and sanitary pads among others.
The move formed parts of efforts by the Foundation to contribute towards improving the lives of the vulnerable in the society especially prisoners and children.
Presenting the items, Founder of Jerrylyn Foundation, Mrs Raissa Sambou Ebu explained that, her outfit deemed it fit to visit the facility because of the low attention it gets from the public especially from philanthropists.
Adding that, “this is where juvenile offenders are brought and groomed until they finish their sentences and reintegrated into society therefore believes that, they have pressing needs which governemmt alone cannot provide, yet very little is heard about them.
Mrs. Ebu used the ocassion to appeal to the public to visit these children as often as possible for they need love and care; stressing that, “Let us not neglect these little ones.”
She however bemoaned situations where junenile offenders were tagged as bad children, saying the practice makes it impossible for the children to feel accepted in the society.
She also urged the children to adhere to all the rules and regulations governing the shelter and believes by the time they finish their sentences, they will become better people.
Mrs Ebu further advised parents and guardians who have abandoned their wards in such facilities to ensure they visit the children often to make them feel loved.
In furtherance, she thanked the supporters of the Foundation’s maiden project and urged individuals and corporate organisations to contribute their quota towards the development of the nation.
On her part, the manageress of the Centre, Mrs Love-Grace Ahlijah receiving the items on behalf of the children expressed gratitude to Jerrylyn Foundation for the gesture, sayinng that the items would go a long way in supporting the children.
“We are very grateful for your support, these items will help solve some of our problems, especially the water.May God bless you richly,” she acknowledged
Mrs Ahlijah also cautioned parents against maltreating their children because they are gifts from God.
According to her, most of the children who find themselves in correctional centres are not to blame for theirs actions.
Explaining that, if a child grows up in an environment devoid of love, he or she is likely to become rebellious or have certain behavioural challenges.
Therefore stressed the need for guardians to prioritise the welfare of their wards so that they do not become victims of circumstances.
“Money is not all that is needed to show love to children. Let us empathise with these little ones and look after them,” she advised.
In a related development, the Jerrylyn Foundation also supported the medical bills of a child on admission at the Kasoa Polyclinic.
Source: www.the new independent online.com/ news desk
