By Ganniko Jackson
Ministry of General Education and Instruction in Western Equatoria State (WES) has launched a Cholera Awareness and Prevention Campaign targeting schools across Yambio.
The campaign is aimed at educating pupils and students on the dangers of cholera and equipping them with knowledge on preventive measures, especially with the onset of the rainy season.
Speaking to this publication in Yambio, Grace Apollo Musa, State Minister of General Education and Instruction, emphasized the urgency of sensitizing schoolchildren amid rising health risks brought by seasonal rains and the mango harvest period.
“As part of this campaign, we are distributing buckets and soap to schools, and raising awareness on the importance of hygiene. With the rainy season and mango season now coinciding, the risk of cholera is heightened, and we must act swiftly,” said Minister Apollo.
She added that her ministry has already visited several schools—including Yabongo Primary School, Yabongo Day Secondary School, Gracia Primary School, Gracia Nursery School, and Yambio Secondary School—to assess hygiene standards and promote safe practices.
“We are impressed by the level of cleanliness maintained in these schools, and we encourage others to follow suit. This initiative is about prevention, education, and protection,” she noted.
A female teacher at Yambio Secondary School commended the initiative, stating that hygiene is already a key part of their routine.
“We have functional handwashing stations, and we constantly remind our students to remain clean and smart. This effort from the ministry adds value to what we are already doing.”
Samuel Angelo, the Head Teacher of Yabongo Nursery and Primary School, also expressed gratitude for the campaign.
“We ensure that classrooms are cleaned daily, drinking water is safe, and handwashing facilities are in use. We also encourage parents to teach their children proper hygiene habits at home, especially during this high-risk season,” Angelo stated.
He also called on the government and partners to continue supporting schools with essential health resources.
Santino Urusa, Headmaster of Yabongo Day Secondary School, noted that the cholera threat in neighboring Central Equatoria State has heightened awareness among the local population.
He emphasized the need for continuous community engagement and education to safeguard public health.
Meanwhile, the WES Minister of Health, Hon. James Abdallah Arona, assured the public that the government is actively implementing preventive strategies to curb any potential cholera outbreak.
“We thank the community for staying alert. Our ministry conducts weekly health cluster meetings every Thursday, focusing on cholera, polio, and measles prevention. Ensuring clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene education in schools is essential to keeping students safe,” he said.
Minister Abdallah also appealed to parents to reinforce good hygiene practices at home, stating that the fight against cholera begins with family awareness and responsibility.
The Cholera Awareness and Prevention Campaign is part of a broader government effort to mitigate the spread of waterborne diseases in the state, particularly as heavy rains increase the risk of outbreaks.