HEALTH IS WEALTH!

The most important possession we have is our bodies; for it’s through them that we are able to express the gift that was bestowed upon us by our Creator. This gift is life itself. We must be conscious of how we treat these sacred temples of ours and must care for them in a manner that will ensure that we continue to enjoy life.

On the of 8^th of June 2013 the Jerusalem Sisterhood on behalf of The Breath of Life partook of a “Preventative Health Promotion” in conjunction with medical students at UCT -  The event was hosted at Gugulethu Mall. The Health Promotion was the brainchild of Acote Arikeeyah; this great initiative touched upon the lives of our people who have been victims of a lifestyle and habits that have compromised their health.

In the words of the Arikeeyah –

“The health promotion project is geared at prevention of diabetes and hypertension. The aim of the project is to empower the community through educating them about the mentioned conditions, their complications and most importantly what practical lifestyle changes they can make to ensure prevention/delay of their onset (using pamphlets and posters in Xhosa and English, and a display table giving practical food preparation advice) and then affording them the opportunity to be screened by taking random glucose finger prick tests and blood pressure readings. This health promotion project is not for academic purposes, rather was inspired by my experience of seeing patients suffering from complications of these diseases which could have been easily prevented.”

The health promotion included blood pressure readings and glucose tests and an alternative lifestyle desk. The stand which was erected caught the attention of the patrons of Gugulethu mall as participants of all gender and age types took part in this great event.

The participants were thoroughly educated and screened without a fee, thanks to the awesome team of UCT medical students. Such was the spirit of the aspiring doctors expressed the spirit of healers and the beaming smiles on the faces of the partakers was sure reward. There’s no greater remuneration than knowing you have positively impacted upon someone’s life.

Assisting the medical students was the Jerusalem sisterhood, Acote Somchiyah and Acote Khaniyah, who mounted an alternative lifestyles stand. They taught and shared with the participants dietary alternatives to white processed foods including sugar and animal products which are the main contributors to ill health. Their table showcased different products that can be sourced locally and also a pamphlet specially made for the event.

Overall the teamwork was outstanding and I was a witness to the love displayed for our people by the team. We, the Breath of Life Institute extoll Acote Arikeeyah, the UCT medical students, Acote Khaniyah and Acote Somchiyah for an exceptional community initiative. May the Holy One of Israel continue to strengthen their hands in servitude to our people!

Health is Wealth!