Students in Milton District High School’s Healthcare Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program recently participated in the United Way of Halton & Hamilton’s #LocalLove campaign by assembling nearly a dozen ‘baby essential kits’ for families arriving in Canada as Afghan refugees.
The baby kits included diapers, wipes, thermometers, baby wash and shampoo, comb and brush sets and nail care sets, explains teacher Jennifer De Jager. Milton staff and Healthcare SHSM students donated the items and a total of 11 kits were delivered to United Way earlier this month. Each year, the Healthcare SHSM looks to involve staff and students in supporting a local charity that is working in the health sector.
De Jager says this activity directly relates to the HDSB’s Equity and Inclusion goal under the
HDSB’s 2020-2024 Multi-Year Plan by encouraging students to participate in community building supporting social and health services for refugee and vulnerable populations.
“We hope to have students recognize that their local community is connected with global affairs and that refugee families are our neighbours as well. They are facing real equity and health challenges that we have a responsibility to help ameliorate. In the Child Development curriculum, we focus on the social determinants of health and how early childhood factors such as income and environmental conditions greatly affect development and health outcomes.”
Grade 11 student Melissa Suessman says participating in this campaign provided a great learning opportunity to better understand the needs of people and how to effectively assist them.
“It’s so meaningful being able to give back to people joining our community. Additionally, it is a privilege to learn about the needs of a developing child, and to use that information in a relevant way to help families care for their infants. Helping people in this way is extremely inspiring for me and all of my classmates, and it has encouraged me to put more effort in making a difference in the community.
Suessman noted she enrolled in the healthcare SHSM because she wanted to see what a career in healthcare might look like.
“The experience has been great for me to meet new people, go to a different school and do many courses I would not have had the opportunity to do without this program. The teachers are all extremely supportive and have real-life experience in the courses they teach, which makes the program so special.”
Helping new families from Afghanistan get established in Canada has been a rewarding experience, says Grade 11 student Shree Sanyal.
“When Mrs. De Jager introduced my class to the United Way charity, it felt as if there was a chance to help bring some joy into families' lives,” she says, noting she has a goal of becoming a doctor. “The fact that I could make a difference in someone's life brings immense satisfaction, and on top of that it also brought a sense of community.”
