UNMISS peacekeepers from Sri Lanka used some of their spare weekend time to take children from the Protection of Civilians site in Bor through an interactive training session on personal hygiene and cleanliness.

The event, held on the premises of the SriMed Level II hospital, hosted 60 children aged 5 to 11 and took place on 1 October, a date Sri Lankans commemorate Children’s Day.

The UNMISS Head of Field Office, Ms. Deborah Schein, blessed the initiative with her presence and commended the efforts she witnessed.

“I appreciate our medical team for recognizing the children of South Sudan as they remember the children in Sri Lanka on the occasion of Children’s Day in their country. The support given to these children enhances their growth and helps them to become agents of change for a prosperous, happy and peaceful future”, she said.

 Ms. Schein also used the occasion to lament the precarious circumstances currently facing children in the country, but expressed her hope for better times ahead.

“We hope for a society free of all forms of violence against children. UNMISS understands the challenging situation that the conflict poses to the upbringing of children and recognizes that South Sudanese children have seen too much violence and suffering”, she said, calling on everybody to make the collective efforts required to make sure that all children’s rights are protected.

During the training session, the participating children were engaged in an interactive session which included colorful audio-visual aids to sensitize the kids on hygiene issues ranging from personal grooming, teeth brushing, handwashing and the importance of drinking clean water.

Once all the child-sized hands had been properly washed, their owners were treated to Sri Lankan cuisine and given educational materials as parting gifts.