Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC) has received the National Health Award, presented by the Ministry of Health, in recognition of the outstanding contributions to the health sector by a non-governmental organization. This award was presented by the Minister of Finance and Treasury, Mr. Abdulla Jihad, Chief Guest at the special event held on 10th April, to mark World Health Day 2016. The award was received on behalf of ARC by ARC’s Managing Director Ms. Hawla Ahmed Didi.
Since 2011, ARC has been carrying out various programmes through its Healthy Eating Active Lifestyles Campaign (HEAL) promoting health and nutrition for children. The goal of this campaign is to raise awareness amongst children, parents and teachers and encourage children to choose healthier food and drink options and get them involved in physical activities. The five key messages of this Campaign are:
- Eat a rainbow everyday – colour your day with fruits and vegetables
- Re-think your drink – choose water first to quench your thirst
- Dunk the Junk – eat less processed food
- Snack Smart – choose healthy snack options
- Unplug & Play – turn off screens and be physically active
ARC takes this opportunity to highlight some achievements of its HEAL Campaign, including the launching of the campaign’s website in 2012 that contains educational information for students, parents and teachers. Also, the story books published under the HEAL Campaign, namely, “The Colourful Companionship of Casey Cabbage” and “The Sneaky Snare of the Syrupy Slurp Slops,” have been awarded the Best Children’s Book in Maldives and Best Charity and Fund Raising Book in Asia, by Europe’s Gourmand Awards. “The Sneaky Snare of the Syrupy Slurp Slops” was also shortlisted among the best 6 books in the world category of the Gourmand Awards.
In addition, the awareness sessions conducted under the HEAL Campaign has expanded throughout the years, reaching out to 3125 students in 2015 alone in Male’ region and the Atolls. The HEAL Campaign sessions which were initially conducted for grades 1 to 3 were later expanded to include all grades with the sessions redesigned to cater for each age group respectively. In the same year, ARC also launched the HEAL Campaign Resource Guide designed to help teachers get preschoolers on track to healthy eating habits and active lifestyles from early childhood, through fun and educational classroom activities. In addition, ARC has also developed and distributed several Information, Education and Communication materials promoting these messages to all schools in Male’ and the atolls.
ARC would like to take this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Health for the acknowledgement of its work and for the support and encouragement provided though this award. ARC also thanks all the individuals and organizations who have made these programmes possible and hopes to receive even higher levels of support from the community to continue and expand the HEAL Campaign.
