The Fast Heroes Programme is playing a huge role in spreading stroke awareness by teaching primary school children in SA all they need to know. This is not only creating a generation who can be informed heroes, but young people united for a healthier future:
South Africa (01 December 2023) — No one wants to think about someone they care about, or themselves, dealing with something as traumatic and even life-threatening as a stroke. However, prepared stances save lives, which is exactly what the Fast Heroes programme is all about.
Aiming to harness the learning potential of children and strengthen intergenerational support, the Fast Heroes programme is on a mission to instil vital knowledge about stroke recognition and emergency response techniques in the future generation of South Africa.
Developed internationally by the University of Macedonia with support from the Angels Initiative, the award-winning education initiative takes a fun and interactive approach to what is a scary topic so that primary school children can be heroes for themselves and others if neccesary.
Over a five-week period, vital lessons are shared. As each week unfolds, a different aspect of stroke awareness is focused on under the acronym FAST (Face, Arms, Speech and Time). The lessons include workbooks, characters, stories animations, songs and videos that make the learning experience easier to digest and remember.
So far, the Fast Heroes programme has seen nearly 2000 children actively participate in the second half of 2023 with the programme having been picked up by 81 schools across South Africa; spanning the Western Cape, Gauteng, the Free State and Limpopo.
Beyond the classroom, the programme has been praised by educators and healthcare professionals alike.
Dr. De Vries Basson from Karl Bremer Hospital for one, commended its momentum that’s slowly but surely creating a youthful united front against strokes and lifestyle diseases. Sharing a similar sentiment, Teacher Deidre de Lange from Dalpark Primary highlighted that the program was popular among their students because of its potential to create a generation united through awareness.
Overall, 11,677 South African children have participated in Fast Heroes, which is a hugely positive sign for a healthier future.
You can learn more about or register for the Fast Heroes Programme here.
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