Parents advised to talk to children about health matters

Parents advised to talk to children about health matters

 Lukulu, Jan 30/14, ZANIS ——- A non-governmental organisation in Lukulu district has called on parents and guardians to take time and talk to their children about health information, such as sexual reproductive.

Adolescent Reproductive Health Advocates (ARHA) Lukulu District Programmes Assistant Officer, Oscar Kena, says the organisation fears that if they are not talked to, children will end up going to their peers who might give them wrong information.

Mr Kena said currently the organisation is under taking a two years life skills project with financial support from UNICEF in collaboration the Ministry of Education in both Lukulu and Mitete districts.

In an interview with ZANIS in Lukulu Mr Kena said the programme is targeted for adolescent girls in schools adding that 135 peer educators from 20 schools have been trained to spearhead the project in the two districts.

Mr Kena pointed out that the programme will promote re-entry policy and reduce cases of early pregnancies and early marriages in the areas.

He further said so far there are reports from school authorities and parents that the project has been well received.

He further disclosed that the organisation is also carrying out other programmes called HIV/AIDS for the youths and the most risk population in partnership with Zambia-Lead Prevention Initiative (ZPI) among others.

Mr Kena added that it is important that members of the community work hand in hand with stakeholders in their areas in order for programmes aimed at bettering their lives yield positive results.