Page 26 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 11_2023

Education

FAST HEROES 2023

CAMPAIGN

Building on the success of its 2022 pilot campaign in
the Western and Eastern Cape Provinces, the award-
winning health education initiative, FAST Heroes, is
gearing up for its next campaign, inviting primary
schools nationwide to register and help save lives.

ndorsed and supported by the and the third leading cause of disability
World Stroke Organisation, worldwide. Unfortunately, many stroke
FAST Heroes has an important victims don’t receive timely medical care
Emission: to enlist a million due to a lack of awareness about the key
young heroes who will play a crucial signs. Children hold the power to change
role in safeguarding their grandparents this by educating their families,” says
from the potential impact of a stroke. Professor Naidoo, CEO of the Heart and
Designed for primary school children Stroke Foundation South Africa.
aged five to nine years, the campaign
aims to equip them with the ability Embracing their inherent passion for
to recognise stroke symptoms and learning and sharing, children are en-
understand the urgency of immediate couraged to become health advocates
action – to call an ambulance. and “super heroes” within their families, reflecting the symptoms of a stroke and
particularly with their grandparents. The the urgency of getting prompt medical
primary focus is on empowering them attention.
Through a five week curriculum, facilitat- to educate their families, particularly
ed by teachers and involving weekly ac- their grandparents, about the signs of During the pilot program in 2022, Nina
tivities and reinforcement, children learn a stroke and the importance of quickly Ras from Brackenfell Primary School in
and internalise the signs of a stroke calling an ambulance. the Western Cape, was a finalist for the
and the steps to take during a stroke Teacher’s Award. She received recog-
emergency. The educational resources The campaign introduces children to the nition as South Africa’s Teacher of the
within the FAST Heroes program are three most prevalent stroke symptoms Year for her unwavering dedication to the
designed to captivate young minds. through the engaging analogy of “the evil campaign. With Nina’s guidance, over
They are interactive, engaging and clot” striking. Guided by a cast of ani- 500 learners participated in the FAST
fun. Beyond imparting life-saving mated characters including retired super Heroes initiative.
skills, the program also nurtures hero grandparents and their grandchil-
values such as empathy and dren - Timmy and Tanya - children be- Nina shared her insights about the
compassion. come adept at identifying the three key program: “Being part of the FAST Heroes
signs of a stroke: facial drooping, arm campaign has been a rewarding expe-
“Statistics show that stroke is a weakness and speech impairment. The rience. Witnessing the enthusiasm and
serious concern in South Africa characters emphasise the importance of dedication of our young learners as
and globally, ranking as the promptly calling an ambulance. This vital they become agents of change is truly
second leading cause of death process gave rise to the acronym FAST, inspiring.”

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