Students at Ridge Church School in Accra marked their annual Harvest and Outreach programme on Thursday, October 31, 2024, by donating an impressive collection of items worth thousands of Ghana Cedis to three institutions.
The beneficiary organizations included the Children’s Department of the Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge), Accra Psychiatric Hospital, and Teshie Orphanage.
With enthusiastic support from their parents, the students assembled an array of essentials like groceries, toiletries, beverages, bottled water, biscuits, fruits, bread, canned foods, and cooking oil to share with the beneficiaries.
This outreach event, deeply rooted in the school’s values, aims to instil a spirit of giving in students, encouraging them to support the vulnerable and needy in society.
Each year, the Harvest and Outreach programme begins with monetary offerings contributed by students and culminates in a grand presentation of donations at Ridge Church, set on the church’s altar.
This year’s theme, “Giving Willingly Will Glorify God,” drew inspiration from 2 Samuel 24:24, and the gathering was filled with heartfelt worship and gospel music by the school choir.
In a stirring message, the school’s chaplain, Reverend Laud Gyampoh, shared a story of King David’s commitment to meaningful sacrifice, encouraging the students to embrace giving as a form of worship.
“No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing,’” he quoted from 2 Samuel, emphasizing that true sacrifice requires a personal investment. “True sacrifice speaks from the heart,” he said, reminding students that their gifts carry a message of love and kindness to those who will receive them.
Headmistress Mrs. Nana Ama Acheampomaa Badasu praised the program as a wonderful opportunity for students to make a real difference. She expressed her gratitude to students, parents, and even alumni, acknowledging the 2021 graduates who returned to join the effort this year.
“We are very excited and we bless God for the generosity He’s inspired in our children and parents,” she said. “Each year, we see how God continually blesses us through this act of giving. We believe in giving and making a difference in society. This is how we give back, and we trust God will reward these acts of kindness.”
Board Chair Mrs Vivian Campbell also commended the students for their generosity, assuring them that their selfless act would be rewarded.
In receiving the donation on behalf of the Teshie Orphanage, The administrator, Moses Lamptey expressed their profound gratitude to the school and assured them that they would ensure that the given items reached their intended targets.
