WGHS pupils get sun savvy
CANSA recently hosted an enlightening talk about being sun safe at Westville Girls' High School recently.
THE Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) Durban was invited to speak to 469 of Westville Girls High School’s Grade 10 and 11 pupils about the importance of sun safety.
Ruveena Singh, the deputy head at the school, said that she is concerned when she sees pupils arriving back to school after a weekend with evident sunburn. This presentation, she said, serves as a reminder to pupils that they should take care when out in the harsh South African sun.
Westville Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools have both recently signed up with the Be Sun Safe programme. The programme, which is a joint partnership between Nivea Sun and SunSavvy installs serviced sunscreen dispensers filled with Nivea Sun Moisturising Sun Spray in school classrooms and outdoor play areas. CANSA and The Skin Cancer Foundation of South Africa (SCFSA) support the school initiative.
CANSA provides this education to high school pupils by offering an impactful and enlightening talk. Junior schools are treated to a fun sun safety production featuring fun-loving characters who bring the message to life in a way that young children can relate to.
“Mums are often too busy to apply sunscreen. Even if sunscreen is applied in the morning, it still needs to be reapplied later on in the day, especially after sweating or swimming. Even on cloudy days, the sun can be dangerous,” explained Hayleigh Bott from SunSavvy, an organisation created by two concerned Durban moms.
The programme has been well received by registered schools: Thus far 119 sunscreen dispensers have been installed in 26 schools in KwaZulu-Natal since the start of the year. This means that, through the programme, about 3 000 school-goers are safely protected during their school day and sport.
