Accra, March. 8, GNA - The Children's Department of the Asylum Down Presbyterian Church, on Sunday appealed to church elders and evangelists to reach out to their colleagues on the street and extend parental love to them. The children through drama drew the attention of adults to the plight of street children and reminded parents of their social responsibilities while reminding the church that it had a role to play in curbing "streetism" and other negative practices destroying our society.

Ms Joana Obiri Yeboah, who led discussions on the situation of street children and what the church could do to help curb it, asked what congregations could do to help cover such children with the "armour of God." Armour is a metal or leather clothing that protects the body. It is mostly used by soldiers in battle.

The programme was a climax to the Children's Week Celebration on theme: "Putting on the Whole Armour of God: the Children's role." The children identified poverty, broken home and lack of parental control as some causes of streetism. As part of the programme, the children had an essay and a drawing competition all portraying the theme: "Putting on the Whole Armour of God."

Nana Yaw Ohene Kwafo, who was adjudged the best in the essay writing competition, suggested the organisation of periodic evangelism to bring such children closer to God. He said: "Churches could assist such children by enrolling the brilliant ones among them in vocational training programmes." Ms Heather Omane was adjudged the second best while Winifred Odame became the third best. Nana Ama Owiredu Dwamena also topped the drawing competition. All the children who participated in the two competitions were given prizes by the church.

Nana Kofi Ohene Kwafo, who gave the sermon, urged Christians to continue in prayers especially for the less privileged in society and advised his fellow children to be good children and always strived to do what was right.