The Second Term of the "Healthy Future Through Education" Project Has Ended

Second Phase of "Healthy Future Through Education" Project Completed The second phase of the "Healthy Future Through Education" project, launched by Roche Turkey and Turkish Education Association (TED) with the aim of raising awareness among students and their families on health matters and creating positive effects in their surroundings that would shed light on major societal changes, has been completed. During the second phase of the project, 10 educational programs in 5 different fields were delivered with the participation of 10 academics to 565 seventh-grade students continuing their studies in 4 state schools in Adana and Ankara, as well as to 248 parents of these students.   Over the two-year project period, a total of 1,159 students and 435 parents were reached, and through educational programs conducted on 23 different topics, awareness of both young people and their families regarding health was increased. To measure the social impact provided in the second phase of the "Healthy Future Through Education" project, an evaluation survey was conducted at the end of the period. The survey results showed that students' and parents' health awareness had increased, as was the case in the first phase of the project. According to the second phase survey results, the proportion of students who believed there is a connection between physical and mental health rose from 69% to 78%, while the number of students stating that environmental health affects physical and mental health increased by 15%. Before the educational programs, the proportion of students who defined being healthy as "not being sick" was 14%, while after the programs the proportion of those who defined it as sports, balanced nutrition and regular eating rose to 23%. It was found that 93% of students possessed knowledge about preventive measures against diseases. Students' desire to include sports in their lives increased from 67% to 77%. It was observed that the level of psychological health awareness, which was 68% before the educational programs, rose to 72% with the programs. Students' level of knowledge about anxiety management increased from 49% to 62% by the end of the programs. Students' awareness of environmental protection rose from 75% to 83%. Data showed that 88% of parents were aware that health is a whole comprising physical, mental and bodily aspects, and their knowledge about foods harmful to health increased from 48% to 59%. It was determined that 97% of parents supported their children in sports, while their level of knowledge about the psychological effects on children of time spent on the internet increased from 87% to 93%.   In addition to the educational programs delivered during the period as part of the "Healthy Future Through Education" project, inspirational conversations with successful athletes were also held. National Tennis Player Çağla Büyükakçay and National Archer Mete Gazoz shared their career journeys with students and explained how they stayed motivated during difficult periods to foster sports habits. With the conclusion of the second phase of the project, efforts to contribute to students' development continued during the summer period. Within the scope of the project, 15 students who showed the highest participation in the programs were sent to a summer camp organized by TED Ankara Kolejliler Sports Club, where they received training in different sports disciplines over a four-day camp.  

Bahar Süral, Communications Leader at Roche Turkey, evaluating the second phase of the "Healthy Future Through Education" project and the achievements obtained through the project, stated the following:

"As Roche Turkey, we believe it is very important for stakeholders to come together and work collaboratively to create genuine social benefit. In this context, we have successfully completed the second phase of our 'Healthy Future Through Education' project, which we launched hand-in-hand with the Turkish Education Association to increase health awareness among young generations. [caption id="attachment_145114" align="aligncenter"] Bahar Sural[/caption] In this new phase as well, we aimed to increase students' awareness of social, physical, mental and environmental health. This goal is an important part of our mission to 'improve people's lives,' to which we attach great importance as Roche Turkey. We believe it is very important that future generations have knowledge about the requirements of healthy living and that their awareness increases in a broad range of areas from nutrition to sports, from internet use to mental health. To increase the social impact we have created in this context and to continue raising health awareness, we will pursue our project with determination."  

Aysun Hartevioğlu, Deputy General Manager of Civil Society Activities at Turkish Education Association, commented on the project as follows:

"We are, and we take pride in being, Turkey's first and most important non-governmental organization in the field of education, founded by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and the cadres who established the Republic, and we will celebrate our 95th anniversary in 2023. Since our founding, with our nearly fifty thousand scholarship recipients, we have analyzed the dynamics and deficiencies of society and conducted work in these areas. Civil society needs the support of the private sector while putting in effort with its own resources. In this context, we came together with Roche Turkey and, during the pandemic period that began in 2020, we launched the 'Healthy Future Through Education' project without withdrawing into our shells. [caption id="attachment_145113" align="aligncenter"] Aysun Hartevioğlu[/caption] Our qualified experts within our organization reached students and families online. Our target audience was primarily students, and among them, disadvantaged groups. We focused on mental health on the foundation of physical health. In addition, we conducted 'Zero Waste' and 'Individual Methods of Combat Against Climate Crisis' programs with DenizTemiz TURMEPA Association and World Wildlife Fund Turkey (WWF-Turkey). The results we achieved have been a source of pride for us. Now we are rolling up our sleeves again to do better. As Roche Turkey and Turkish Education Association, we will continue our work to contribute to the qualified development of the young generation."