A 12-year-old girl using betel nut was among around 50 people who received free health screenings on Sunday morning (July 12)—an initiative of the Solomon Islands for Christ campaign.
The screenings were conducted at the Aekafo2 evangelistic site by a team of 10,000 Toes ambassadors from New Vally Seventh-day Adventist Church. The initiative was coordinated by Greater Sydney Conference health director Dr Christiana Leimena-Lehn.
While the team encountered participants struggling with alcohol and smoking, Ms Leimena-Lehn said betel nut use was by far the most common issue.
“It was really eye-opening thing for me,” she said. “There’s a real lack of education and awareness of the health of the young people there.”
The team provided blood pressure and blood glucose testing, as well as height, weight and waist circumference measurements, from four health screening stations and a consultation station.
Beyond assessing physical health, the initiative also created opportunities to connect with community members and invite them to the evening evangelistic meetings.
