By Ijoo Bosco
Torit Nutrition Training Center, in partnership with Caritas Luxembourg passed out 19 community nutritionists who completed a nine-month certificate course.
Held at the Torit Municipal Council in Eastern Equatoria State, the ceremony marked the sixth graduation of nutritionists who have been trained to combat malnutrition in remote areas across the state.
Minister Jennifer Nabongorika of Gender, Child, and Social Welfare commended Caritas for their tremendous service to the state’s communities.
Nabongorika appealed to the Government of Luxembourg, through its implementing arm Caritas Luxembourg, to increase the number of recruits in the training course to benefit more counties in the state, especially those in hard-to-reach areas.
She also called on funding donors to align with this year’s graduation theme of “Let’s Roll Back Malnutrition in South Sudan.”
“We really appreciate you and we still need more maybe by next year you need to increase the number, you increase the number and we shall appreciate it as the government of Eastern Equatoria state,” expressed Jenifer.
She praised the graduates for their hard work and perseverance throughout the nine-month course, which has enhanced their understanding and knowledge to serve the state’s citizens without discrimination.
Minister Nabongorika challenged the graduates to think ahead and consider their next steps after achieving their valuable certificates in their professional careers.
“We all ask ourselves after graduation what next this is to you now after you have achieved your certificates which steps are you going to take it’s a question to you and we will be seeing the answer to the implementation of the knowledge that you have acquired from this institutes,” caution minister.
She also extended her appreciation to the parents for their unwavering support in ensuring their children completed their education.
Pianic Pedja, the Head of Mission for Caritas in South Sudan, expressed gratitude to the partner institutions for their continuous support since the centre’s establishment in 2018.
Mr. Pedja called upon the Eastern Equatoria State government, particularly the Ministry of Health, to integrate the nutrition program into the Torit Health Science Institute.
He assured state authorities of Caritas’ plans to support the development of the nutrition curriculum and its full integration into state health institutes.
The Torit Nutrition Center has been supported by funding from Luxembourg Aid and Development and has been implemented by Caritas Luxembourg in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health and other agencies.
Since its establishment in March 2018, the center has been providing nutrition courses to the people of Torit town.