In a joint effort to raise awareness and strengthen community response to the Mpox outbreak, Save the Children and the Ministry of Health, through the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), convened a two-day dialogue workshop aimed at empowering school pupils to become ambassadors for Mpox prevention and education.
Held at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, the workshop brought together children from various schools, health experts, and key officials from both organisations.
The initiative focused on educating young people about Mpox, its symptoms, transmission, and prevention, while equipping them with the skills to spread these messages within their schools and communities.
Victoria Squire, Advocacy and Campaign Manager at Save the Children, opened the event by underscoring the importance of youth engagement in public health. “Children are at the heart of our response. By equipping them with the right knowledge, they can take this message to their peers, families, and communities,” she said.
Squire reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to working closely with the Ministry of Health, particularly in reaching rural areas where the disease has shown higher prevalence.
Abdul Akim Sheriff, Deputy Director of Operations at Save the Children, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our collaboration with the Ministry of Health is crucial to ensure that children, especially the most vulnerable are protected and informed.”
Providing an overview of the current Mpox situation, Sia Mansaray, Deputy Behavioural Change Manager at NPHA, said Sierra Leone recorded its first Mpox case in January. As of 14 April, 242 cases have been confirmed nationwide. She traced the disease’s origin to Guinea and explained its highly contagious nature. “We are working tirelessly across the health sector to curb the spread of Mpox,” Mansaray said.
Behavioural change specialist, Samuel Josiah conducted an interactive session on peer education, stressing the role children can play in disseminating accurate information. He outlined symptoms, prevention strategies, and the importance of hygiene and protective measures. “You are not just students, you are agents of change. Share what you’ve learned with your peers,” he told participants.
The first day concluded with a Q&A session, followed by a dramatic performance by members of the Children’s Forum Network (CFN), illustrating how the disease spreads and the importance of early detection and care.
The final day focused on consolidating the lessons learned. Alieu Tommy, Risk Communication Community Engagement Lead, addressed the importance of accurate reporting and debunking misinformation around Mpox. Pupils took part in group work to develop action plans for peer education in their respective schools.
The workshop concluded with a short skit highlighting the importance of vaccination and a group photograph to commemorate the beginning of a school-led Mpox awareness campaign.
Organisers hope the initiative will spark a ripple effect across schools, creating a network of informed pupils ready to take on the challenge of community health education in the face of an ongoing public health threat.
