A program using basketball development as a platform for health awareness among young people aged eight to 15 has been ongoing in Majuro and ran its second of three clinics last weekend at the ECC gym in Delap.
Called Sisterhoops4Health, the program is a three-part event that utilizes basketball as a platform to raise awareness on important issues faced by young female and male adolescents, including teen pregnancy, mental health, and non-communicable diseases.
This initiative is supported by Australia Aid, the Australian Embassy in Majuro, FIBA Oceania, and the Marshall Islands Basketball Federation.
The initial basketball clinic took place on February 22 and centered on sexual and reproductive health. The team concluded their second basketball clinic May 24 that focused on mental health awareness specifically aimed at girls and boys aged eight to 15.
The Sisterhoops4Health activity would not have been possible without the support of Public School System’s Sports and Extracurricular Program management and staff, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Nito Foundation, and Miss Marshall Islands Claret Chong Gum. Numerous players, coaches and health people, including the head of the Human Services Dr. Holden Nena, joined in to make the event May 24 successful.