Students of the Secondary School for Catering and Tourism “Vanco Pitoseski” initiated and implemented numerous activities for healthy eating and lifestyle. These initiatives arise from the new civic education concept with the support of the USAID Youth Ethnic Integration Project.

First, the students distributed a questionnaire to their peers regarding their eating habits. Having received the answers of about 130 students, the students conducting the research used the findings to prepare a presentation on proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle, which was presented to a larger group.
Afterwards, in order to emphasize the importance of physical and mental activity, they organized competitions in table tennis and chess. Under the motto “A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body”, they not only had fun and socialized together but also got acquainted with the need for regular activity.

The students prepared a brochure with tips for proper nutrition, which they distributed to both their peers and to families from socially vulnerable categories. They also organized a humanitarian action for these families. The students from the departments for catering technicians and cooks prepared and packed healthy meals and then cooperated with the Red Cross to deliver them to the families from Ohrid who needed them the most.
Through these activities, the students tied the professional knowledge and skills they acquire in school with the needs of the community in which they live and contributed to raising awareness about the importance of eating healthy food and being humane. In this way, they practiced student participation and made their voices be heard, which led to positive changes in their environment.
This activity is part of the Youth Ethnic Integration Project, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
This article is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of MCEC and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) or the United States Government.