About 100 Grade Nine students in Port Moresby had the opportunity to learn about healthy lifestyle today during Papua New Guinea Cancer Foundation’s health program for teens.
The students were from Kopkop College, Limana Vocational Centre and Paradise High School.
The health awareness was carried out at the Moresby Arts Theatre (MAT) during its ‘PRIDE Youth Arts Program'.
PRIDE is a week-long program for schools in Moresby that aims to influence education, confidence-building and the development of expressive abilities in young people.
The health program focused on empowering teens with information on healthy eating and the benefits of regular exercise.
Moresby is the third centre that the program has covered following West New Britain and Milne Bay.
PNGCF health educator Jacob Oburi educated the students on types of healthy foods and how exercise is an important part of lifestyle behaviour.
Oburi warned students on how both chewing betelnut and smoking can increase your chances of getting some types of cancer with the simple message, ‘Protect your future. Don’t smoke'.
PNGCF chief executive officer Dadi Toka Jr said: “There is a very high chance that cancer will affect you and your family.
“Introducing the Healthy Teens School Program allows PNGCF to target a particular demographic to have a positive influence on the lifestyle choices they make for the future."
PNGCF thanked MAT for this opportunity and the HTSP sponsors, Kumul Petroleum Ltd and Kumul Consolidated Holdings.
The health program will also be conducted on Wednesday and Friday to students from about 10 schools, including Port Moresby International, Caritas Technical High, Marianville High, Jubilee and Gerehu Secondary School.
Picture by PNGCF