Pockets of Promise-Ghana (POP), a global community dedicated to providing quality education and nutrition to children in impoverished communities, has sensitized over twenty (20) children who have attained the adolescent age at Aniehu, near Apowa in the Ahanta West Municipality on the importance of personal hygiene and good grooming.
The children drawn from various schools and taking part in POP-Ghana’s after-school literacy program were given items like sanitary pads, panty liners, deodorant, bathing soap, toilet rolls, toothpaste and brush among others.
They were also given copies of the Young Advocate children’s newspaper while feted with some delicious delicacy made of rice with beans stew, garnished with egg and refreshed with fruit juice and oranges to expose them to some of the things they learnt.
Participants were taken through personal hygiene habits such as washing their hands, brushing and flossing their teeth, having regular bathing, keeping their fingers and toenails trimmed, the dangers of premarital sex and proper eating habits among others.
Mr Dominic Coleman, Program Coordinator of POP-Ghana who led the exercise said people who have poor hygiene dishevelled hair and clothes, body odour, bad breath, missing teeth, and the like, often are seen as unhealthy and may face discrimination.
He said keeping your finger and toenails trimmed and in good shape will prevent problems such as hangnails and infected nail beds and urged them to trim their nails, wash their body and their hair regularly.
He said ideally, you should brush your teeth after every meal. At the very least, brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily since brushing minimizes the accumulation of bacteria in your mouth, which can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Mr Coleman added that flossing helps maintain strong and healthy gums whereas unhealthy gums can cause one’s teeth to loosen, which makes it difficult to chew and to eat properly.
He divulged that washing your hands before preparing or eating food, after going to the bathroom, after coughing or sneezing, and after handling garbage goes a long way toward preventing the spread of bacteria and viruses and urged them to wash their hands often.
Rev Seth Ameyaw Danquah, Public Relations Officer of POP-Ghana pointed out that proper grooming and healthy personal habits can help one to ward off illnesses and feel good about one’s self.
According to him, personal hygiene habits such as washing your hands, brushing and flossing your teeth will help keep bacteria, viruses and illnesses at bay.
He noted that practising good body hygiene helps you feel good about yourself, which is important for their mental health and also urged them to get plenty of rest (8 to 10 hours a night) so that they are refreshed and ready to take on the day every morning.
He hinted that Pockets of Promise continue to provide education and nutrition assistance to more than 150 children and their families in three countries by building after-school and feeding programs in impoverished communities to equip children with the literacy skills and essential nutrients they need to succeed in life.
