The Faculty of Community and Health Sciences School of Nursing students braved the cold and rainy weather on Saturday, 30th September 2023 and delivered a successful outreach event, a project spearheaded by Project Playground, an NGO based in Langa and Gugulethu.
The campaign was focused on accepting and empowering adolescents to make informed decisions about their health, life challenges, well-being and taking full control of their academic future. The campaign aimed to equip teenagers with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to make positive lifestyle changes that will benefit their physical, mental, emotional and well-being.
The day started smoothly with some light spring showers, that not deter all the partners involved in the outreach and the community came out in large numbers to take part in the outreach initiative. The campaign started with all stakeholders and community participating in a Zumba sessions. There were various activities and programmes on the day from wellness and health promotion talks to risk behavior awareness targeting the youth and community members.
The faculty and School of Nursing is very proud of its final year nursing students and staff members Mbalentle Goba who did a stellar job on the day with the youth and parents alike. Amongst them, Nasiphi Damane, final year nursing students spoke to the teenagers about nutrition, STI’s, and career guidance and options after grade 12. Unathi Dywili, final year nursing student did history taking and screened for glucose, HB and cholesterol. Snethembe Ndima, did eye testing and BMI. “ It was an exciting day for me, I did wellness talks, talking to parents about their medication intake, the importance checking their blood pressure and glucose levels. Some of the parents have critical questions about alcohol and substance abuse as well as lifestyle behaviours they are exposed to on a daily basis. They also indicated a prevalence of lack of sleep due to stress” said Ms Mbali Goba, Clinical Coordinator.
“This day would not have been successful if it was not for the collaboration and partnership with various institutions and organizations such as UWC Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, WITS RHI, life choices, SOFIRE Zumba and REALISTIC” said Nyameka Nzamo. This outreach marks a milestone for CHS and UWC as they venture into the township and Project Playground and CHS have indicated a need to partner on numerous projects including clinical placements.
The campaign was focused on accepting and empowering adolescents to make informed decisions about their health, life challenges, well-being and taking full control of their academic future. The campaign aimed to equip teenagers with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to make positive lifestyle changes that will benefit their physical, mental, emotional and well-being.
The day started smoothly with some light spring showers, that not deter all the partners involved in the outreach and the community came out in large numbers to take part in the outreach initiative. The campaign started with all stakeholders and community participating in a Zumba sessions. There were various activities and programmes on the day from wellness and health promotion talks to risk behavior awareness targeting the youth and community members.
The faculty and School of Nursing is very proud of its final year nursing students and staff members Mbalentle Goba who did a stellar job on the day with the youth and parents alike. Amongst them, Nasiphi Damane, final year nursing students spoke to the teenagers about nutrition, STI’s, and career guidance and options after grade 12. Unathi Dywili, final year nursing student did history taking and screened for glucose, HB and cholesterol. Snethembe Ndima, did eye testing and BMI. “ It was an exciting day for me, I did wellness talks, talking to parents about their medication intake, the importance checking their blood pressure and glucose levels. Some of the parents have critical questions about alcohol and substance abuse as well as lifestyle behaviours they are exposed to on a daily basis. They also indicated a prevalence of lack of sleep due to stress” said Ms Mbali Goba, Clinical Coordinator.
“This day would not have been successful if it was not for the collaboration and partnership with various institutions and organizations such as UWC Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, WITS RHI, life choices, SOFIRE Zumba and REALISTIC” said Nyameka Nzamo. This outreach marks a milestone for CHS and UWC as they venture into the township and Project Playground and CHS have indicated a need to partner on numerous projects including clinical placements.
