EUFAULA – On September 18 the Eufaula Dormitory students received tips about hygiene. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation Department of Health Public Health Registered Nurse Talia King (Mvskoke) did a presentation about the health necessities and how to upkeep hygiene. However, King wanted to give back to the students by providing extra basic essentials.
After visiting with the students, King asked for donations from anyone able to provide them and she gave those donations to the dormitory on October 8.
During the discussion, King spoke to the students about how to upkeep their hygiene. “Such as bathing, washing hair correctly, brushing your hair, brushing teeth, washing hands correctly, feminine hygiene and cleanliness,” King shared. “Towards the end of last semester, I was invited by another MCN program to come out and speak to them about hygiene. After my presentation one of the counselors asked if I would come back this semester and present to them again and I said I would.”
The initial spark for rounding up donations was knowing that she wanted to help and seeing how the students are grateful for anything that was given. Since it was a last minute presentation she didn’t have much time to prepare to have more options. However, she did bring towels from her department’s Heat Awareness bags, sunglasses, and small bottles of face wash and dental floss that were donated by MCN Clinic in Okmulgee.
She was glad to hear that they loved the products that she brought. “They are some of the most respectful children to be around. When they looked in their bags they were like ‘YES! She gave us this good face wash and our own hand towel!’ ‘Thank you for thinking of us.’ ‘I really appreciate you coming out and talking to us,’” King said.
King wanted to offer more, so she asked students what they may need for the hygiene items.
“After I spoke to them, I told them they could all grab a bag, and I apologized for it not being much. To see their smiles and hear their excitement over a small gesture and getting a big ‘THANK YOU’ from them touched my heart. So that led me to ask their counselors if there was anything that I could do or try to get for them that would help them out. They gave me a few suggestions and then I asked the students. Surprisingly, the boys’ list was a lot longer than the girls,” King said.
The list that King provided is for 1st-12th grade. There are 13 boys in 1st-6th grade, 17 boys in 7th-12th grade, 6 girls in 1st-6th grade and 15 girls in 7th-12th grade.
King’s list that she gathered from the students include wipes, pimple patches, pads, tampons, CeraVe facial wash and moisturizer, facial exfoliation wash, Qtips, large bottles of shampoo and conditioner, Dandruff shampoo, foot powder, Old spice clay or pomade, Hair gel (eco style, LA looks extreme sport, Got 2B glued), dental floss, Antiperspirant/deodorant, Sasquatch bar soap, Loofahs, wash cloths, Cologne for guys (don’t mind if it’s used), perfume for girls, Chapstick and lotion.
King felt that it is impactful to provide these items for the students. “It’s heartwarming knowing that something so small can really change someone’s day,” King said. “Also knowing that with donations and support from my Public Health department we are able to take the burden off of their parents and their counselors that do their best to make sure all their needs are met.”
King added, “The staff and parents/ family that are there for these kids are great! They do a great job with them. I hope they know they are loved and supported by many. I hope with the donations collected that they could feel the love and support they have out here, and that we don’t mind giving them the small things to make their day better.”
