TBDHU Delivers Handwashing Peer Leadership Program at OLOL

Written by admin on 27 January 2011

TBDHU Public Health Nurse Shirley Saasto-Stopyra explained that her decision to change from work with Grade 6 and 7 students, as opposed to Grade 8 students as was done in the past, allows students to continue in their roles as Peer Leaders next year, building on the knowledge given to them this year and further boosting self-esteem. Photo by Karina Hunter, OntarioNewsNorth.com

MANITOUWADGE, ON – Thursday, January 27th, Public Health Nurse Shirley Saasto-Stopyra, accompanied by Community Health Promotion Resource Person Reene Warren, from the Thunder Bay District Health Unit (TBDHU) Manitouwadge Office, attended Our Lady of Lourdes School to instruct 4 students, chosen by the school, to lead the Handwashing Peer Leadership Program.

The students; Daniel Gillman, Nicholas Forgues, Sydney-Mae Courtemanche and Lucas Luoma-Uhlik, participated in a handwashing Workshop facilitated by Saasto-Stopyra and Warren before practicing elements of the workshop to prepare them for their delivery of the handwashing session to students in a grade 3 class. Over the course of the next 2 weeks, the students will continue to share these lessons with each class in the school.

The students also committed to continue their work, volunteering as the TBDHU’s Peer Leaders in Handwashing, at Our Lady of Lourdes for the next 2 years delivering these sessions to their peers each year. In addition to the initiative providing a good opportunity for the peer leader students to reinforce the messages of proper handwashing & the importance of covering their coughs & sneezes by using their upper arm or sleeve, Saasto-Stopyra explained that the role of Peer Leaders offers the students invaluable opportunities to grow their leadership and public speaking skills “It is great for their self-esteem” said Saasto-Stopyra adding “Delivering the instruction they received to other students is a great confidence builder, with each subsequent class the Peer Leaders become more confident in their abilities and their roles delivering TBDHU’s cough and sneeze hygiene education”;

The newly appointed Peer Leaders were treated to a pizza lunch provided by the Thunder Bay District Health Unit to wrap-up the session “We want them to know that their work and commitment is not only important to TBDHU but also very much appreciated” said Saasto-Stopyra.