The 2023/2024 International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) students of Aga Khan High School launched a two-week campaign to provide free prostate cancer screening for men in Old Kampala. The campaign, aligned with the school’s commitment to eradicating prostate cancer, involves various activities to raise awareness, with a recent cancer run organized for the local community as part of the Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) requirement of the IBDP.
Mr. Michael Musaazi Magembe, the head of the international school, emphasized the significance of the campaign, stating, “Part of the IBDP programme requires them to come up with programmes that promote good health and the environment.” The students collaborated with the Kakajjo community to extend awareness and support, making the event an annual occurrence that brings less privileged communities closer to the Aga Khan community.
The CAS projects aim to cultivate responsible citizenship, with students taking the lead in organizing events like the cancer run. Ms. Jasnoor Kour, the head of media and marketing for the project, highlighted the decision to focus on prostate cancer screening. She noted the imbalance in attention between breast, cervical cancer, and prostate cancer, particularly in Uganda and Africa, where men are at higher risk. Partnering with the Uganda Cancer Institute, the campaign aims to promote early detection and treatment.
Mr. Faizan Yousuf, the head of administration and finance, shared that the students independently collected funds and sought sponsorship from their parents to gain real-life experiences. The curriculum’s emphasis on community work provides them exposure, preparing them for the world beyond studies.
Ms. Tessa Marie Namatta, overseeing the cancer run, emphasized the three-week effort to mobilize and educate the community about cancer. Recognizing the lack of discourse on cancer compared to other diseases, the students partnered with doctors from the Uganda Cancer Institute to make a significant impact in raising awareness and facilitating screenings.
