Grassroots health sessions spark change in food habits and ulcer prevention awareness

Author: Angelina Adut

In the quiet outskirts of Juba, in Central Equatoria State, small gatherings in Rokwe Jengeli and Hai Baraka communities are sowing the seeds of health awareness—one conversation at a time.

Over two days in early August, residents, many of them women and a few men, sat together to learn about food safety, healthy eating, and the growing health threat of stomach ulcers. The sessions were informal but strikingly informative, delivered in the local language and tailored to reflect the community’s day-to-day realities.

In total, 35 participants participated in the sessions— eighteen (18) in Hai Rokwe (also known as Jengeli) on August 6th and seventeen (17) in Hai Baraka on August 9th. Most of them had never taken part in any formal health education.

“It opened my eyes,” said Joseph, a local health officer in Rokwe Jengeli. “I’ve always used plastic bags to carry hot food. I didn’t know how dangerous that could be. Now I’ll make sure my family stops this habit.”

For others, the lessons were even more personal. A mother from Hai Baraka said she now understands the harm of skipping meals—something she thought was just a normal part of a busy day.

“I never knew drinking soda on an empty stomach could hurt my children. Now I’ll be more careful,” she said, her voice low but firm.

At the heart of the sessions was a simple but often overlooked message: everyday habits—like using polythene bags for hot food or ignoring regular meals—can lead to serious health issues. The sessions were held in open community spaces and led by local health advocates.

Emmanuel Karaba, the Executive Director at the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan (EFSS), the outreach organisers, said the response from the community has been both humbling and motivating.

“These are people who rarely get access to health information,” he said. “They were not only listening—they were asking questions, taking notes, and even promising to teach others.”

Participants urged that such sessions be expanded to other villages, saying the topics discussed affect them daily but are rarely addressed.

While these gatherings were small, the lessons learned have already begun to ripple through households. And in a country where healthcare access remains limited, the simple act of sharing knowledge may be one of the most powerful tools communities have.

At the Excellence Foundation for South Sudan, we are a force of intervention, always acting to enhance the best interests of communities to realise an improved standard of living. The organisation provides education, leadership development, and community-building initiatives to support individuals and marginalised communities through grassroots activities encouraging literacy, community peace, tolerance, and development.

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