Hillcrest moms on a mission to create sunsavvy learners
Schools are encouraged to support the Sun Safe initiative.
HILLCREST moms, Hayleigh Bott and Donna Short are on a mission to grow a generation of sun safe and sun educated school children.
They started the SunSavvy organisation after Donna visited New Zealand in 2012 and saw that all the schools promoted sun protection and awareness. They decided they wanted to get a similar programme implemented into local schools whereby sunscreen dispensers are installed in the classrooms or in readily accessible areas in schools to ensure children are reapplying sunscreen before they go out into the sun.
“We want children to learn the habit forming behaviour of sun care, just like you brush your teeth daily, applying sunblock regularly should become a natural occurrence. Even if parents are applying sunscreen in the mornings before school, by 10am it has already worn off, so it is really important to reapply sunscreen throughout the day,” said Donna.
Starting off with their “coffee money” budget the two approached local schools to try convert them to their way of thinking. The biggest boost for their initiative came when they approached Nivea for help.
Nivea readily climbed on board creating educational posters, supplying sunscreen dispensers filled with Nivea Sun Moisturising Sun Spray SPF 50 mounted on special stands. They also supplied educational DVDs and initiatives to schools who adopt the Sun Safe initiative.
The first school to jump on board was CURRO HCA. The school has installed a sunscreen dispenser in each of the classrooms. “They were absolutely divine and really got where we were coming from,” said Hayleigh.
Other Hillcrest and Kloof-based schools which have signed up are Kidz Academy Day Care, Lucky Bean Playschool, Chatterbox Preschool, Happy Days Pre Primary, Happy Valley Educentre and Small World Nursery School.
“The project, makes sunscreen instantly accessible when and where it is needed most. Teachers will be encouraged to make sure children apply sunscreen before going out to play or engaging in sport. Children will be educated on the dangers of sunburn and how to keep themselves protected,” said Donna.
The Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa (SCFSA), who supports the initiative, says that skin cancer is not only the most common form of cancer worldwide but South Africa has one of the highest incidences.
The duo feel parents need to get behind the initiative and apply pressure to their children’s schools to adopt the scheme. The dispensers cost R150 each which works out at about R100 a year per parent to keep each classroom supplied. As Hayleigh points out this is cheaper than parents buying their own bottle of sunblock which often sits in school bags and doesn’t get used.
Parents or schools that are interested can email: info@besunsafe.co.za or contact Hayleigh Bott on 082 419 2969.
