Rapid Expansion marks the Student Health Program in Ethiopia
Only in its second year, the Community of St. Paul's Student Health Program in Meki (in the Southeast of Ethiopia) has grown to serve 2,640 students. In addition to continuing the program in the Catholic School of Meki, work is now performed in the Kidane Mihret Nursery also in Meki and in St. Gabriel School of the neighboring town of Gabra Fila.
Each school has a nurse who performs medical exams and deals with these children and teenagers of all grades. In addition, for the 4th through 8th grades, 640 students have a class called Health Education, where they learn basic concepts about hygiene and health. The purpose is to teach them that they, themselves, must put into practice healthy habits and thereby exercise greater control over the conditions that threaten their well-being. Each week, these children and youth learn how to care for their health and prevent illnesses.
