By Ouni Jaspher
DOKOLO – Senior Medical Clinical Officer Ambrose Ogwang, also known as “Awitong”, has urged the community to be vigilant, saying every person has the potential of developing three major diseases: Mental Illness, Leprosy and Tuberculosis.
Ogwang made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing students during a mentorship program held at Kangai Secondary School and Adeknino Seed Secondary School in Dokolo District.
The program was organized by the Platform for Community Empowerment (PLACE) with support from the office of the Deputy RDC Dokolo, Ismael Masaba.
According to Ogwang, Mental Illness, Leprosy and Tuberculosis already exist in the human body and only manifest when a person’s immune system is weakened.
He advised students and youth to avoid early sexual immorality, drug abuse and alcohol in order to maintain a strong immune system and escape unnecessary illness.
“Protect your body. Once you abuse drugs, alcohol and engage in risky sexual behavior, you are lowering your defense system,” Ogwang warned.
He also called on students to uphold discipline and respect for authority.
Ogwang told them not to move anywhere without informing parents and school administrators, not to trust anyone more than school administrators, and not to raise their voice against elders.
The PLACE mentorship program aims to guide students in navigating uncertainties and securing their future both at school and at home.
Benard Oribo, a teacher at St. John Bosco Senior Secondary School and an officer with PLACE, told students that everyone is born to live, but preparation determines success.
He warned against procrastination, saying “postponement kills students’ careers at school.”
Oribo added that both teachers and students should perform their duties to the expected level “as if they are delegated by God to do it.”
Francis Osika, the Chief Executive Director of PLACE, spoke on the consequences of teenage pregnancy.
He explained how difficult it becomes for a young girl to get food and a livelihood once she is impregnated at school and abandoned by her partner without any means of survival.
Joel Okello, the Head Teacher of Kangai Secondary School, welcomed the mentorship program, saying it will strengthen his efforts to make Kangai Secondary School a better learning institution.
Okello noted that students standards at Kangai secondary School has gone beyond after improving on school feeding strategies by increasing ratio.
He said they have also eliminated the cases of drunkenness among others bad acts which was previously taking place in the school.
Susan Akoli, the Head Teacher of Adeknino Seed Secondary School, said the school is committed to giving students a brighter future.
She noted that besides the weekly guidance and counseling program, the school is ready to integrate the students’ mentorship program every term.
Among the team were; Moses Leo Ogwal the Community Liaison Officer Dokolo, teachers and others.
Organizers said the mentorship drive will be rolled out to more schools in Dokolo District to equip learners with health knowledge, life skills and career guidance.
