Nursing students from the North-West University’s (NWU’s) campus in Mahikeng recently reached out to a local school as part of their community care initiative.

The students reached out to CN Lekalake Middle School in Unit 5, Mahikeng, to donate sanitary products and to talk to young women about risky sexual behavior.

Under the supervision of Dr Sisiyana Khunou and Dr Zodwa Manyisa from the School of Nursing and in partnership with the South African Nursing Students’ Association (SANSA), this initiative is an ongoing project to educate local communities on health and lifestyle-related issues.

“It is important that young women realise that they can achieve much more than what society tells them,” one student told the learners during one of the presentations.

“We are reaching out to communities to assist us as health workers in educating and demystifying existing stigmas in and around issues pertaining to health education and safe lifestyle practices,” said Ms Khunou. “In order for this education to take place, we must begin educating the young and vulnerable so that they are aware of institutions and persons that can assist them.”

Dr Sisiyana Khunou from the School of Nursing on the NWU’s campus in Mahikeng talking to learners of CN Lekalake Middle School.