Region Ten describes Cancer awareness activities as being successful

Joining many organizations, agencies and institutions in celebrating Cancer Awareness month
was Region Ten Education Department. The department pointed out that this was done with the
view of ensuring that the public, teachers, and students within the region understands the impact
of cancer, while being sensitized so as to make appropriate and timely decisions.
Acting Regional, Education Officer, La Shanna Anderson spoke about the event, stressing that it
has certainly increased the awareness level within the region.
Anderson said that their primary objective during the event was to increase awareness among the
public. This, she noted will better sensitize and educate the public on the disease, which
continues to claim several lives every year.
“One of those programmes that we sought to bring awareness about cancer, and we wanted the
public to know that the department is in the fight to help in saving lives. So, this was more about
bringing awareness,” she said.

The Regional Education Officer described the general response to the event as overwhelming
and positive. She said that persons were not there in a crowd but rather in single files during
intervals. She said that several things were distributed to those that attended, which included
water bottles, key rings among other things. She however noted that the activities were executed
over a two-week period.
“We didn’t have a crowd gathered but people came to our booth and they would have access to our
reading materials among other things.  We had a display where we were sharing information.
The Ministry of Education through the Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility for
Health and Family Life, Ms. Carol Benn would have sent out a Memorandum asking regions in
observance of cancer awareness, to have these displays, thus we put a little flare to it,” she
detailed.
Anderson said that her department participated in collaboration with Women on the Move in a
building decoration competition. She said that they merged the activities over a two-week period.
She admitted that several creative ideas continue to be materialized under her leadership.
Quizzed on how she feels seeing the successful execution of several of her initiatives, Anderson
said “My initiatives are not now being recognized but rather it is now being publicized. As an
Early Childhood teacher that is my background, and it is one of my hidden talents of being
creative. Persons would always associate early childhood teaching with being creative and this
is one of my skills that comes naturally and effortlessly.”
The educator of more than two decades said that she and her team remains dedicated and
committed to ensuring that a number of innovative ideas are explored and executed in the region
as they seek to continue enhancing educational delivery and growth. She reiterated that Region
Ten sees themselves as the leaders in several initiatives and intends to continue on this path.