Cancer foundation to continue healthy teens school programme

By ANGELA PAUL
The Papua New Guinea Cancer Foundation will continue to conduct its healthy teens programme in schools in Central that were impacted by ExxonMobil, according to programme coordinator Priscillar Napeoleon.
The foundation, with its sponsor ExxonMobil, held the fourth healthy teens school programme for this year at Baruni Primary School in Port Moresby.
Napoleon said the programme targeted areas where there was a need for such programme.
“ExxonMobil PNG Ltd is engaged with the community directly or indirectly, and is also the major sponsor of the programme,” she said.
“Primary level with over 100 students are targeted as part of the early learning strategy – awareness and education sessions.
“The school must be a government-run school and is located outside of the city or inside a village setting.”
Napoleon said there must also be gender equality with students enrolled in the upper primary grades.
The programme ended on a high note with the presence of 2018 Commonwealth Games’ gold medallist Steven Kari.
Kari presented ExxonMobil-sponsored materials like rugby balls, school packs and water bottles to students who were eager to answer questions. Napoleon said Kari was the face of the awareness campaign.
“We want the children to see someone of that importance, so they will make good lifestyle choices to stay fit and prevent cancer,” she said.
The teens school programme is a yearly programme conducted in the same schools as new students.