Accra, Feb. 27, GNA - The Saint Bernadette Soubirous School on Frida= y presented a GH¢5,000 cheque to the Ghana Eye Foundation (GEF) to climax= its 30th Anniversary celebrations. Mrs Mary Aquiline Cato, Headmistress of the School said the presentat= ion was in line with the school's vision to donate towards a worthy course anytime it was celebrating its birthday.

She said the issue of the senses especially the eye and its protectio= n was very dear to the school, the reason it donated the money to aid effor= ts of the GEF towards its prevention. Mrs Aquiline said even though the 30-year journey of the school was n= ot without challenges, it took pride in its achievements which include high academic performance and improved facilities.

She urged parents to spend more time with their children saying "the children need them even as they go about their businesses trying to make ends meet". Pupils of the school in a well-performed drama re-enacted the story o= f Saint Bernadette Soubirous and the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in Accr= a at a drama and musical concert dubbed "Night of the Senses". The school was Dansoman first-cycle school named after Saint Soubirou= s who died in 1978.

Mrs Peggy Osei Tutu Dzodzomenyo, a Member of the Board of Trustees of=

the GEF, who received the cheque, thanked the school for championing effo= rts at preventing blindness among the populace.

She said the sense organs were one of the forgotten areas in the provision of health care in the country, a situation which left many to t= he risk of going blind. Mrs Dzodzomenyo said the GEF would put the money to good use by prosecuting its avowed vision of making the country free of preventable blindness and create awareness on the issue. GEF is a non-governmental organization working to increase advocacy and awareness for eye health in the country. The school later presented awards to personalities, who have champio= ned its establishment and development, notably among them were Archbishop Palmer-Buckle of the Accra Dioceses and Archbishop Emeritus Kodjo Andam. It also presents its teachers with awards to recognize their service= s.