Not for SALE: Vol. 2 No.

5
May 2008
Young Talk
is FREE •Know your rights
Sex education for •Stay in school
primary schools
•Wait to have sex

Karimojong
The Karimojong
marriage
culture
In our culture,
boys and girls do
not marry early.
It is the adults
who marry. Sex
before marriage is
a taboo. When a young man of about 20
years or above wants to marry, he will
What we learn from the
What identify a mature girl, usually above 18 Karimojong Culture
years. He will negotiate
protects with her parents for Delaying sex
them from A 13-year bride price, which The Karimojong do not have early sex. They wait
until they are above 18. Only adults can handle
old boy, Jafari he pays and
HIV? Lomeri of Rufe PS, marries her. consequences of sex, like pregnancy. Delaying sex
Moroto, sells sticks Most men helps them avoid HIV too.
Welcome on the for brushing teeth. marry one
journey to He uses the money wife. One can No sex without marriage
Karamoja. This to buy some eats marry another In Karamoja it is not about having sex. It is about
unique part of at school. wife if his first marriage. When a boy who is above 18 years
Uganda, is found in wife cannot give wants to have sex, he will marry. He will talk to
the northeast. It birth. But still he his parents who will negotiate with the girl's
borders with does not separate with parents for bride price. Some go ahead and rape
Kenya and Sudan. her. Some men, with the help of their the girls as a way or courtship. But cannot leave
friends, still use force to have sex them. They marry the girls.
Many good and with girls. We do not recognise this
bad things are said practice as part of our cherished As you grow, you may take on the culture of
about Karamoja. culture. Such men are told to pay a people around you. Look at what they do, pick
But, did you know fine of goats or cows for using force, out what is good for you, and avoid what can
that a few and told to marry the girl. put your life in danger.
Karimojong have Elder, Naduket, Moroto
HIV compared to Read on and find out what
other parts of the Karimojong Young Talkers do not like
What do you think about about their culture on Page 2.
country?
the Karimojong marriage
Young Talk editors visited this culture? What do you
region to find out what Young learn from it? DISCUSS
Talkers can learn from the
Karimojong to avoid HIV. Also WITH YOUR
read about education in FRIENDS.
NARY
DICTIO
Karamoja, their work and culture.
- to love or
Cherish ething
value som ence - result
u
Conse q ing
FACTS ABOUT of so m e th
ip -befrie
nding
Courtsh r marriage
KARAMOJA g o t
fo
someone te - discuss
ia • Delaying sex protects you
Region - Karamoja Ne
eone
People – the Karimojong with som from HIV
Language - Ng'akarimojong • Staying in school is
Population – about 1 million protective
Districts – Moroto, Kotido, Nakapiripirit, Abim and Kaabong
Children in school - about 100,000 • Forced sex increases the
Children out-of-school (6-12years) -about 120,000 risk of getting HIV.
Average age of marriage: 20 years
YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7
2 Young Talk, May 2008
What I like and do not
like about my culture
I like singing
I like the way we sing, dance and
dress. It is interesting. But I don’t
like the way some of our people kill
each other. It is evil. Odiambo
Sara, 14, P7, Kasimeri PS,
Moroto
I hate cattle raiding
There is a lot of stealing of cattle and
other property. However, I love the
way we dress and behave when we
are young, but when we grow old,
sometimes we misbehave. Ikilae
Salume, 12, P7, Kasimeri PS,
Moroto
I hate rape
My sister dropped out of school two
tears ago when she was in S6. Boys
chased her and helped their friend
Education in Karamoja
My dad told me about the
importance of education. I want
to be a doctor
doctor.. I like science.
Children used to tease me
because of my colour. I ignored
them and they stopped. Now
they like me because I am bright.
I want to stay in school and fulfill
my dream. Auma Olive, 13,
P7, Child Jesus PS, Moroto
For teachers
Many Karimojong ch
love education. They ildren
will help them and know it
th
families develop. Ed eir
can also help them ucation
ge
knowledge on how t
to
avoid HIV. Encourag further
e
to stay in school by children
tel
them the benefits of ling
education.
Key messages
•Some cultural d A family can move to
practices are good an
others ar e ba d
ral
•Copy only the cultu ct
practices that prote
you from HIV
YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7
Peace Akello
to rape her. She was married off. I
thought this was wrong. She should
have been allowed to finish her
education. She would have become
a better person in our society.
Peace Akello, 9, P5, Child
Jesus PS, Moroto
Most children who go to school in
Karamoja perform well especially
during their S4 exams. But there are
few children in school.
If more children get educated, they
can use the knowledge they get in
school even to protect themselves
more against HIV.
Education is important. All my four
children are in school. I regret not
going to school. I cannot read what
the health workers write on my
medicine. Lomerer John, 40,
Elder, Naduket
Being at school is safe
I escaped being raped by the
warriors because I was at school.
Two of my sisters who were at
home were raped. Girl, 14, P7,
Kasimeri PS
How the
Karimojong live
An extended family of the
Karimojong in their homestead
called manyata
Can you Imagine? If Akello's sister
wasn't married off, she would be at
University now. Karamoja missed an
educated girl who would help in
developing it.
You need to say NO to bad practices
that make you drop out of school.
Remember, rape puts both the rapist
and the victim at a high risk of
getting HIV. Rape is also a crime in
the laws of Uganda.
V/AID S cornxewrith
HI risky to have se
It is very ou do not know
y Moroto
a person atus. Although
H IV st
the ir le are
ung peop
many yo me could have
virgins, so with HIV.
been born
Talk to your parents that you need to
go to school. If you do not go to
school, you may regret when you
grow up. Being at school can save
you from being raped, forced to
marry or being killed by warriors.
Land in Karamoja belongs
to the whole community.
Families live in organised
homesteads called
Manyatas. These include
parents, children, uncles
and cousins. Girls and
boys sleep in separate
huts. When a boy wants
to get married, he
constructs his own hut
within the Manyata.
another place in search of
pasture and water. They
could also move because
they have buried many
relatives in that area.
Petty jobs
Many Karimojong
children do small
jobs to get money
but some are
risky.
Selling paraffin
I used to sell paraffin at night
in Moroto town. An old man
came and asked me to go to
his house and I refused. The
following day he gave me
money, I told him I did not
want his money. He left and
never came back. I value
education and I want to stay
in school. Florence Akilla,
14, P6, Child Jesus PS,
Children carry jerrycans
of alcohol. Such an
activity puts girls at a
risk of being raped by
men who come to buy
alcohol.
During holidays, I brew
alcohol. My parents
encourage me to do it. I did
not like school but my
mother forced me. But I made
friends who encouraged me
to read hard. So I now love
school. I want to become a
nurse and I leave the manyata
life. One day warriors came
and burnt our huts. All my
books were burnt. At school I
feel safe. Parents should send
their children to school. With
education, we can change
our place for the better.
Achiro Proscovia Lydia,
14, P7, Kasimeri PS,
Moroto
 Young Talk, May 2008 3

In this part, Sara’s uncle and the

Welcome to part 3 chief are under the tree talking
of “Sara the about the shortage of firewood in
Special Gift.” the village.

In the last part, Sara was coming Zingo is seated on the window.
from fetching firewood. She was Sara is busy chopping vegetables
very tired but asked to go to her but can hear what her uncle and
aunt’s place to help her with the chief are saying. She is not
house chores. happy with her uncle because he
The Special Gift says firewood was a woman’s
problem.
Meanwhile, uncle and the chief are
deep into their conversation. But the chief wants to solve the
firewood problem so he can get
So you see, every- women’s votes as councilor.
one in the village...
is very concerned
about the shortage
of firewood.

Surely that’s a
problem for our
women to solve. I
don’t hear them
complaining.

can do
Q Both boys and girls
house chores.
Q You can help in
solving
age
problems in your vill
Q Talk to your gu
ardians about
your ideas

Dictionary
Amuse – make one laugh or
happy
Chop – cut
Councillor– representative
n
Contribution – something give
Overhear– listen in
You are wrong Shortage – lack of something
Sara my friend. Yesterday, a
overhears whole group of women
her uncle A whole group!
came to see me on the
and the Ha! Ha!
problem. Sara is not
chief happy
talking.
She is not
amused
with her
uncle’s
position

It is more serious
than you think.
Don’t you want to
be the new village
councillor?
Of course! I believe I
can make my own
small contribution to
my community

I’m sure you

Well...erm..of will. I must
Oh...I see. be off now.
course. I will give the
matter my serious Good of you to
attention. I’m sure I come. I’ll be giving
will find the you my ideas soon.
answer.

But I’m sure

Yes, you could- but you can do that.
what the women were saying You are such a
is that they will vote for some- practical man
body with practical skills. Some-
one who can help us solve the
firewood problem.
YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7

DEAR
Young TALK
la
P.O. B0X 22366 Kampa
I have just started my
menstruation, I am worried
the bleeding will reduce my life-
span, what can I do? Dorothy N,
15, P7, Kiboga UWESO PS,
Kiboga
Dorothy, do not be worried.
Menstruation will not reduce your life
span. Your body is able to produce
enough blood to keep you alive. When
you grow up you can even donate blood
and still remain normal. This means a
normal grown up person has more than
enough blood. Menstruation is natural
and the body is already prepared for it.
Is it true that if you wash
you vagina with soap it will
itch? Chebet S, 13, P7, St.
Mary’s girls’ PS, Nakapiripirit
Some types of soap can cause itching if
you use them to wash your vagina. Soap
should therefore be avoided when
cleaning private parts. The vagina cleans
itself. That is how God has created it to
work. You just need to use clean water.
To avoid infection, first wash your hands
before washing the vagina.
What happens if you marry
a man who is a virgin and you
are also a virgin? Akello C, 14,
P6, Child Jesus PS, Moroto
Both of you will feel good and enjoy
your marriage. Virgins are also less likely
to have STDs, so you will have peace of
mind. But virgins also need to test for
HIV before they get married. Children
can get HIV from their parents.
Otherwise, it is good to be a virgin.
How good or bad is
abortion? Ayiyorwoth D, 15,
P7, Pulum Alala PS, Nebbi
Abortion is illegal in Uganda. You can be
sent to prison. It is also very dangerous.
You can get infections, over bleed and
even die. You can lose your uterus/womb
and fail to have children in future. Girls
who abort take long to recover from the
bad feeling they get after doing it. Only
doctors can carry out abortion if the life
of a mother is in danger. Delay sex to
avoid early and unwanted pregnancy.
This will also help you avoid abortion.
Is it true that big breasts
are a sign of being sexually
active? Susan N, 16, P7, St.
Mary’s girls’ PS, Nakapiripirit
Susan, it is not true. Some girls naturally
have big breasts and some have small
ones, just like some people are short and
others tall, thin or fat. All types of breasts
are normal. Tell your friends also not to
feel bad about the size of their breasts.
My friend says if I have sex
when I am in my
menstruation, I will not get HIV,
is it true? KR, 15, P7, Balyanika
PS, Kamwenge
It is not true dear. Instead, it is more risky
to have sex during menstruation. HIV is
found in blood and sexual fluids. Also,
when you are menstruating, your uterus
is open and very soft. This makes it easier
even for HIV to enter your body. Do not
risk. Delay sex and when you grow up
you can test for HIV with your marriage
partner.
Reading Young Talk is fun and
educative. Pupils of St. Mary's
girls' PS, Nakapiripirit
Proud to be in school and staying safe: Pupils
of Kasimeri PS, Moroto
Pupils of Child Jesus PS, Moroto reading YYoung
Talk. They say it teaches them to remain virgins.
My father has money but he
said he will not pay my fees
after P7, what can I do? NH, 12,
P7, Nkokonjeru PS, Luwero
It is sad that your father doesn’t want to
pay your fees. Maybe he does not value
education. Or it could be due to culture
which discourages girls' education. Talk
to him about your dreams and how you
need his support to achieve them. You
can also talk to other people who can
talk to your father. This may be people
like LCs, aunties, uncles or church
leaders on your area. If all these do not
work out, you may report to police.
Keep your hopes high. Never give up.
Remember, you have a right to
education and your father has the
responsibility to pay your school fees.
My friend woke up when her
bed sheets were wet. She
asked the teacher who told her
it was a wet dream. What
oung
caused it? Shemsa S, 13, KY PS,
Masaka
Girls do not experience wet dreams. Only
boys get wet dreams and it starts when
they start adolescence. Your friend may
have urinated on the bed. So she should
not worry at all. It is normal. That will
stop. Taking little fluids or water when
going to bed may also help.
Can I get HIV by having sex
only once? Chemtai L, 15, P7,
Kaminy PS, Kaphorwa
Yes. Once you get in contact with
STRAIGHT TALK FOUNDATION
4 Acacia Avenue, Kololo, Kampala, P. O. Box 22366, Tel: (031) 262030/1, Fax: 534858,
E-mail: strtalk@imul.com, strtalk@straight-talk.or.ug,
Director: C. Watson;; Deputy Director: T. Agutu, Editorial Manager: E. Kimuli,
Editors: G. Awekofua, M. Akello, D. Agaba, J. Abongowath,
Chief Designer: M. eB. Kalanzi, Designer:Gb. Mukasa, Printer: The New Vision.
Young Talk is funded by DANIDA, DFID & SIDA.
www.straight-talk.or.ug
infected blood or have sex with an
infected person without a condom, you
are at a very high risk of getting the
virus as well. I am sure at your age, you
have other important things to think
about like your education. So, keep
delaying sex and read your books.
A family friend always asks
me for sex whenever my
parents send me to his home.
What can I tell him? Tiko D, 13,
P7, Kayonza PS, Kayunga
Tell your parents about it so that they
can talk stop sending you to his home.
That man wants to defile you, which is a
crime. Be firm and tell him “No”. Also
be aware of the dangers of having early
sex, like early pregnancy or STDs.
Assure him that friendship does not
mean sex.
My friends tells me that if I
have sex, I will never get
cervical cancer, yet I do not
want to lose my virginity, what
can I do? Yifoke R, 14, P7,
Kayonza PS, Kayunga
Yikofe, thank you for keeping your
virginity. Virginity does not cause
cervical cancer. Instead, when you start
having sex at an early age, you increase
the chances of suffering from cervical
cancer later in life. Say “NO” to your
friends and pass this message to them.
Why do some girls have sex
many times and they do not
get pregnant? Mugoya Y, 12, P5,
Hasoko Comprehensive PS,
Bugiri
Mugoya, how sure are you that those
girls have sex? They could be deceiving
you. Most young girls in Uganda are
keeping their virginity. Do not believe in
such information. Keep your virginity
and delay sex until you are an adult who
can make better decisions.
If a girl has big breasts,
does it mean she is ready
for marriage? Consolate A, P6,
Child Jesus PS, Moroto
Consolate, that is not true. Marriage is
about maturity in body and mind. It is
also being prepared financially and
socially for a family. It has nothing to do
with breasts. Some young girls have big
breasts yet they are still in school and
also their bodies are not ready for
marriage and child bearing. Girls with
big breasts should not worry. Feel happy
about your breasts because they are
normal.
Henry Nsubuga,
Counsellor, Straight
Talk Foundation
Dictiona ry
normal
ncer: An ab
Cervical ca opening of the cervix. If
e
growth at th rly, it can cause death.
not treated ea riod of time that
pe
Life-span: es
someone is livsubstance that helps
Nutrient: a
people to grow