12 March 2015- As part of continuing efforts to enhance community policing in Eastern Equatoria State, UN Police (UNPOL) advisors today held an awareness forum on crime prevention.

Present at the event, which was the third of its kind in recent weeks, were 123 pupils and four teachers at Dumak Upper Primary School.

UNPOL advisor Teddy Kargbo noted that he was impressed that the school’s head, Rogato Obwaha Marcello, was the first primary school head teacher to invite UNPOL for such a programme.

He encouraged pupils to give a moral support to their head teacher by improving on their performance.

“For you to be what you want to be in ten years to come, you must get prepared now,” said Mr. Kargbo. “Dedicate your time to improve on weak subjects (instead) of wasting time on (criminal acts).”

Jone Banuve, another UNPOL advisor, advised the pupils to avoid bad peer groups and to help the South Sudan police to advance investigations against crimes to create safer environment for their studies.

“I tell you, if you acquire anything through theft or burglary, you’ll take short time to enjoy and long period of time to suffer in prison,” he stressed.

UNMISS gender police advisor Fatmata Gbla warned the female pupils never to give in to men who could destroy their beautiful future.

She said it was too early for the school girls to acquire phones and other expensive items from men whose only target would ruin their future.

“Embark on studies and have what you want when you’re educated and employed,” said Ms. Gbla. “Use the opportunities you have to develop yourselves. I was also encouraged to be what I am today.”

Speaking on behalf of other pupils, Santo Ewot thanked UNPOL for the discussion on crime prevention.

“I now know who to report to in case of crime occurrences in school or in the community,” he said, adding that he would like to become a police man in future.