Children's Oncology Hospital promotes educational and playful action in reference to Orange May
The educational activity reinforced the hospital's commitment to the comprehensive care of patients
In reference to Orange May, a month dedicated to the prevention of sexual violence against children and adolescents, the Octávio Lobo Children's Oncology Hospital (Hoiol) held an educational action on Tuesday (27), marked by playful dynamics and messages of child empowerment. The initiative, led by social worker and volunteer Rocinete Costa, brought together patients in an activity carefully designed to address a sensitive topic in an accessible, respectful, and effective manner.
Based on the use of play as a tool for awareness, the action aimed to teach children the value of their own bodies and the importance of self-care. "Our body is a treasure," explained Rocinete, repeating the key message of the activity while using dolls with traffic signs to indicate areas that can and cannot be touched by strangers and to strengthen the sense of protection in the little ones. Through games and dynamics adapted to the patients' age group, the multidisciplinary team was able to address the topic delicately yet assertively.
"We are talking about an extremely vulnerable audience who are also undergoing health treatment, so the approach needs to be careful, respectful, and affectionate," Rocinete emphasized. She also reminded that Orange May is a national campaign, with a strong historical and social basis, and that each local action, no matter how small it may seem, is an important step in building a more conscious and protective society for children and adolescents.
Resident of the municipality of Santarém, Selma Souza, 55 years old, accompanied her granddaughter Sophia, 8 years old, during the action promoted by the hospital. "I thought it was great. This lecture talked about the importance of defending our children from bad elements, from bad people who take advantage of them, touching, bothering, mistreating. And sometimes, not just sexual abuse, but also other types of abuse that have been happening a lot," Selma stated.
Pedagogue Joyce Wanzeler, a member of the Hoiol Humanization team, highlighted that the institution, in addition to offering specialized oncological treatment, acts comprehensively in promoting the health of its users, with a special focus on building a safe, healthy, and dignified childhood. According to the early childhood education professional, one of the strategies adopted is the integration of pedagogical activities into the hospital context, in partnership with volunteers.
“The goal is to minimize the impacts of hospitalization on the learning and social development process of this audience. For this, we rely on the support of our volunteers to provide children and adolescents with learning opportunities that involve cognitive, emotional, and bodily aspects. Today, we emphasized the recognition of personal boundaries, the appreciation of one's own body, and the importance of consent. The proposal was to promote self-knowledge and strengthen self-esteem and contribute to the prevention of situations of child abuse, the central focus of the ongoing campaign,” explained the pedagogue.
At the end of the activity, the patients participated in a symbolic moment of gratitude: they handed flowers to the health professionals, which were placed at the entrance of the hospital, located at Travessa 14 de Abril, corner with Avenida Magalhães Barata. The gesture reinforced the spirit of affection and welcome that permeated the entire action, but also the emotional and social protection offered to the children served.
