The North-West University’s School of Nursing on the Potchefstroom Campus has once again demonstrated that healthcare extends far beyond the walls of a clinic, as second-year nursing students recently embarked on a heartwarming community initiative aimed at supporting young children and their caregivers.

As part of their practical training and community engagement efforts, the students visited local clinics on May 19, where they provided health education to parents and caregivers of children from birth to five years old. The focus of the campaign was on simple, accessible ways to help soothe sore throats associated with common coughs and colds, in line with the Department of Health’s Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) Guidelines.

To reinforce the message, students distributed special care packages containing a lemon, a teabag and sugar, along with easy-to-follow instructions on how to prepare the home remedy.

The initiative forms part of the long-running Lemon Tree Project, a registered community engagement project at the NWU that has been making a difference in local communities since 2015. The project was originally established by Sr Cheryl Jordaan and Sr Anna-Therese Swart, who, together with nursing students, planted lemon trees at all eight clinics where students complete their community health clinical training.

More than a decade later, those trees continue to bear fruit, both literally and figuratively, serving as a symbol of sustainable community care and partnership.

Each year, the clinic that has cared best for its lemon tree is recognised for its commitment. This year, Mohadin Clinic received the honour and was presented with a certificate during the graduation pledge ceremony of the NWU’s 2025 fourth-year nursing class in March.

The lemon remedy campaign itself evolved from the original project and was initiated by Sr Stephani Botha, the module owner responsible for the practical component of the programme. Through the initiative, students are not only learning valuable healthcare skills but are also gaining firsthand experience in empowering communities through education and prevention.

The School of Nursing extended its gratitude to its stakeholders within the Department of Health for their ongoing support of NWU students, as well as to facilitators Sr Pennie van Heerden, Sr Berna Groenewald and Sr Estelle van As for their continued guidance and encouragement.

Special recognition was also given to the second-year nursing students of 2026, whose enthusiasm, compassion and dedication continue to make a meaningful impact in the communities they serve.

Through projects such as these, the NWU School of Nursing is not only training future healthcare professionals but also nurturing a generation of caregivers committed to improving lives, one small act of kindness at a time.