I n 2008 Straight Talk Foundation

(STF) produced over 8 million

newspapers and 4,000 half-hour
radio shows for adolescents and
adults. It reached over 180,000
young people and parents through

AL
its face-to-face work.

STF’s materials are the main and

U
ANN T
O R
often only source of affirming,

RE P
values-based and scientifically-
accurate information on HIV, sexuality

2008
and growing up in most Ugandan
communities.

STF sends its materials to 18,000

schools, 1,700 health centres and
1,100 churches and mosques, and
1600 CBOs. It also works with 450
NGOs.

STF creates “conversations” to address

the drivers of HIV epidemic and bring
about social change.
Report Design: Michael eB. Kalanzi

In 2008 STF had 63 staff and interns in its head office in Kampala.
However, with teams constantly traveling upcountry, it was never possible
to get them all together. The above photo was taken in December 2008 as
the year wound up. In total STF has 124 staff across Uganda.

Plot 4 Acacia Avenue, Kololo, P.O. Box 22366 Kampala, Uganda, Tel: (256 31) 262030, 262031,
Fax: (256 41) 534858, Email: strtalk@straight-talk.or.ug, Website: www.straight-talk.or.ug,
General Scribd site: http://www.scribd.com/Straight%20Talk%20Foundation Communication for Social Change
STRAIGHT TALK FOUNDATION

context, STF holds community fairs and advocacy meetings

and sends its papers to MPs, district leaders and other

forward to a safer
social change: it encourages
CBOs operate at this level and are influenced

dialogue to help people

Finally, to have impact on the larger community and political

and how to move

by and are key outlets for STF materials.

define who they are,

practices communication for
opinionmakers. Health units, faith groups and

what they need

to change people. Instead it
Finally, STF is not “messaging”

critical thinking and

is a Ugandan NGO, set up in 1997. It grew out of a

future.
teen newspaper, Straight Talk, which was started
Communication
in 1993. Today it practises
for Social change. Its main focus is
preventing HIV in ADOLescents.

STF takes a Family-centred and life cycle

approach and follows a sexual health promotion
model. It increasingly works with Parents.
Parents who are present and who have a good
relationship with their adolescents are Super-
protectors. STF also supports parents to
have their own safer and healthy sexual lives.

Respecting the primacy of mother tongue

languages, in 2008 STF worked in 14
languages. STF’s communication channels
are Radio, print and face-to-face.

STF’s is concerned for the well-being of all

adolescents and their families. However, it
is particularly concerned about most-at-
Girls and
risk adolescents, especially
adolescents living in conflict.

STF Board of Directors

Board chair: Aggrey Kibenge, Principal Asst Sec., Ministry of Educ. & Sports
Rev Gideon Byamugisha, Christian Aid
Anne Akia Fiedler, Chief of Party, ACE
Dr Frank Kaharuza, Director, Research, CDC/UVRI

in their environment with interventions at all the layers of

STF follows an “ecological model,” addressing individuals
Justina Kihika, Freelance Consultant

influence around the individual. The adolescent is at

Oliva Muhumuza, Headteacher, Railway Children’s Primary School

the core of the model, under the first arch of the

Charles Odere, Advocate, Lex Uganda
Dorothy Oulanyah, HIV specialist/OVC/Prevention, UNICEF

rainbow, benefitting from youth newspapers,

Hon Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, Member of Parliament
Catharine Watson, Executive Director, STF, Ex-oficio C Odere Rev Byamugisha

radio shows and face-to-face work.

At the next layer, STF addresses

parents and teachers: the most
important adults in the lives
of adolescents. For them,
STF produces Parent Talk
radio and Teacher Talk
newspaper. It also

to-face work in
conducts face-

communities.
schools and
Aggrey Kibenge A Fiedler F Kaharuza J Kihika O Muhumuza
Early
sex and Table of
education: Contents
In Uganda early sex Message from the Director 2
is prejudicial to the
education of both PRINT 3
boys and girls. Boys Letter analysis 8-9
ST & YT at a glance 10
who start sex while
Distribution 12
still in primary school
are 1.5 times more TREE TALK & FARM TALK 13
likely not to complete
secondary school than STF CONCEPTUAL THINKING 16
their peers who have
not started sex. Girls RADIO 17
who have sex after Youth journalist profile 21
completing primary Map: ST youth radio shows 22
school are two times Radio topics 23
more likely not to Radio partnerships 26
proceed to secondary
FACE-TO-FACE 27
school than peers
Outreach and training 28
who are still virgins. Gulu Youth Centre 32
They are also nearly Kitgum Youth Centre 34
two times as likely to
leave secondary school SPECIAL PROJECTS/EVENTS 35
before completing.
VOLUNTEERS & INTERNS 36
Biddlecom, AE., R
Gregory, B Mensch MONITORING & EVALUATION 37
and CLloyd. 2008.
FINANCE AND ADMIN 38-40
“Associations between
Premarital Sex and
Leaving School in Four
Sub-Saharan African
Countries.” Studies
in Family Planning
Abbreviations
12(4):337-350 ABC Abstain, Be faithful, Condom use
ARVs Anti-Retrovirals
ASRH Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
CBO Community-based Organization
DHS Demographic and Health Survey
FAO Food and Agricultural Organisation
FGD Focus group discussion
GYC Gulu Youth Centre
HCT HIV counselling and testing
IDI In-depth interview
IDP Internally Displaced Person
KYC Kitgum Youth Centre
LRA Lord’s Resistance Army
MoES Ministry of Education and Sports
NGO Non-governmental organisation
OVC Orphans and vulnerable children
PEP Post-exposure prophylaxis
PEPFAR President’s Emergency Fund for AIDS Relief
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission
Impact:
PMTCT
PSI Population Services International
Girls and boys who 4Rs Runyankole/Rukiga/Rutoro/Runyoro
SGBV Sexual and gender-based violence
are exposed to STF
SRH Sexual and Reproductive Health
materials are more STD Sexually Transmitted Disease
likely to talk to their STF Straight Talk Foundation
parents about body UGX Uganda shillings
changes and growing up UHSBS Uganda HIV/AIDS Sero-behavioural Survey
VCT Voluntary Counseling and Testing for HIV
than those who are not
WFP World Food Programme
exposed. (Population
Council, 2007)
STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT II
Message from the Executive Director
I
n 2008, STF celebrated
15 years of working to
keep adolescents safe.
We had a cake and showed
our staff, some of whom
were aged just four in 1993,
copies of early Straight Talks.
As I waved the yellowing
newspapers, it was hard to
resist shouting: “We didn’t
have a single vehicle then,
and we hadn’t heard of per
diems!”
Back at my desk, an email
came through: “Hi, I am
Jonathan, a Straight Talk
volunteer. I congratulate
you for the 15 years... but
perhaps you do not know
what Straight Talk has done
for people like me. I first read
it in 1995. We called it ‘the
newspaper that shows girls’
vaginas’. My Mum gave it to
me, and it has helped me
stay strong.”
I laughed but I was also
moved: working for adolescents is a privilege.
For supporting STF in 2008, we thank the Civil
Society Fund, Danida, Dfid, Irish Aid and USAID. We
also thank SIDA whose funds kept Kitgum Youth
Centre open in 2008. We recognise with gratitude
Cordaid, Unicef, MAIA and other partners.
We have used their monies well. In 2008 our staff
met face-to-face with over 200,000 youth, parents
and teachers. We also reached 687,000 secondary
students with Straight Talk and about one million
pupils with Young Talk. We estimate that seven
million 10-24 year olds and five million adults
listened to our radio shows. This is considerable
value for $3 million a year.
In 2008 our work was singled out as world class. In
The Lancet on HIV prevention in August 2008, STF
was one of very few NGOs mentioned by name. In a
section on “educating young people frankly about
sex”, Dr Peter Piot of UNAIDS wrote: “HIV/AIDS
budgets should support campaigns... designed to
reach young people (such as) Uganda’s “straight
talk”.
However, most affirming in 2008 was our mid-
II STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
term review of our 2006-10
Strategic Plan. I had worried that
youth would say that we were
monotonous. After all, we have
talked about sex, love and HIV for
15 years. But far from finding us
dull, adolescents and adults were
fulsome in their praise.
“STF materials are like our Bible.
They guide us on right messaging”
said one CBO leader. “I get
information from Young Talk,” said
a girl, 15. “When I get it I call my
friends to discuss how to solve our
problems.”
There is a new sexual generation
every five years so perhaps such
findings were not surprising.
Nevertheless, we were bolstered
by them and feel surer than ever of
the robustness of our approach.
Our model entails rich and
complex but not complicated
conversations. We work in many
languages through print, radio and
face-to-face. Constant feedback
keeps us smart and in touch.
At the 2008 XVII International AIDS Conference in
Mexico, Dr David Wilson of the World Bank said that
to roll back HIV, we must: “Do the right thing, do it
right, and do enough of it.”
STF does the right thing. And we mostly do it right.
But we do not do enough of it. There are linguistic
groups as yet unreached, most-at-risk-adolescents
who are under-reached, and entire conversations
that we have not yet had: e.g., how should an
adolescent in a polygamous union manage sex?
With five new HIV infections for every one person
going on ARVs, we have to do more of the right
thing, do it right and do it fast.
This report provides “thick” description of what
we do. Communication for social change and
preventing HIV are not simple. We have to stay sex
positive in the face of tragedy and affirm peoples’
lives while wanting them to change. This report
describes how we make our way through those
conundra. Thank you for reading it.
Catharine Watson - Executive Director
 A young woman in Katakwi
clasps a copy of Straight Talk
in Ateso, the language of
northeast Uganda. She also
holds an STF prize, a basin.

Local language Straight Talks

are for young people who
are out-of-school. Because
marriage follows departure
from school very closely for
most girls, these papers cover
family planning and PMTCT.

For boys there is a particular

stress on reducing numbers
of sexual partners and
eschewing intimate partner
violence.

print
STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT II
S
TF has its roots in print,
having grown out of a
newspaper, Straight Talk,
which was started in October
1993.

“Print” remains STF’s public face.

Excluding salaries, in 2008 STF
spent about $375,320 (UGX 715
million) or 11% of its total budget
on newspapers; excluding salaries,
85% went on printing the papers.
Although STF now spends more
than twice as much on radio as it
does on print, its newspapers are
its record -- what is passed from
hand to hand and finally used to
wrap books.

In 2008 STF’s newspapers focused

on responding to readers’ needs,
never fobbing them off with glib or
half-baked statements. This effort
brought rewards. Letters more
than doubled to Straight Talk and
Young Talk, STF’s flagship papers.

Both newspapers are four-paged

and full colour. Together they cost
$207,000 (UGX 394 million) a year,
excluding salaries.

Straight Talk is designed for older

adolescents and young adults who
can read. Uganda has 5.1 million
15 to 24 year olds, of whom about
30% can read English. If 13 and 14
year olds in lower secondary are
included, Straight Talk has over 1.5
million potential readers, including
955,000 secondary students,
Immersed: primary pupils in Moroto read a Young Talk on
50,000 vocational students, and defilement. This issue took considerable delicacy. STF journalists
several hundred thousand young worried that the cartoon of a man seizing a girl might be salacious.
people who have left secondary A balance was struck. The cartoon was used but the girl’s thigh was
school before completing. covered.

Newspaper/print material Issues Print run Copies/2008

Calendar (ST and YT) 2 230,000 460,000
Straight Talk 10 250,000-300,000 2,700,000
Straight Talk in local languages - - - -
Young Talk 10 330,000-430,000 3,700,000
Farm Talk 3 160,000 480,000
Tree Talk 1 250,000 250,000
Straight Talk Sudan - - -
EHM English 1 300,000 300,000
Teacher Talk 2 300,000 600,000
Scouts Voice (Kenya) 2 60,000 120,000
Scouts Voice (Uganda) 2 50,000 100,000
TOTAL publications 35 8,700,000

II STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

In 2008 each secondary school received 30 Straight
Talk copies a month, one copy for every 13 to 19
students, depending on school size.
Young Talk is for young adolescents in primary
school. Uganda has 4.8 million 10 to 14 year olds,
over 80% of whom attend school. Each school
received 28 Young Talks a month in 2008, one for
every 11 pupils.
In 2008 STF surveyed all
primary and secondary
schools by post. Of the
2327 primary schools
that responded, 81% had
received a copy of Young
Talk. Distance from Kampala
is not a factor: 96% of
schools that responded
from far away Moyo and
Busia had received the
paper compared to 65% of
schools from nearby Mpigi.
A total of 720 secondary
schools responded out of
3083 surveyed: 83% had
received Straight Talk in
2008; 32% said they had
received all nine issues;
59% had received more than
five.
With largely in-school readerships, both
papers are age-appropriate. Straight Talk
recognizes that its readers may be falling
in love or desiring sex, and so it provides
comprehensive sexuality education,
covering, for example,
condoms, family planning and
love relationships.
Young Talk supports young
adolescents to stay in school,
understand body changes, grow
their life skills and manage
difficult life circumstances,
like loss of parents, living with
HIV and pressures to start sex.
Children in early adolescence
are always too young physically,
emotionally and socially to start
sex, although many have.
Getting the tone right
For both of its in-school papers, STF’s
“bottom line” is to generate conversations
that will motivate readers to continue postponing or
to stop sex until older. However, STF has to strive to
be sex positive.
If the papers say too categorically that sex in
adolescence is unwise, they risk turning off
hundreds of thousands of readers who may be
having sex or are about to have it. So the papers try
to affirm all adolescents, including those exhibiting
behaviours that are risky for the adolescent. The
papers also take an understanding tone if an
adolescent writes in about a sexual experience.
But they then “nudge” the reader towards stopping
sex or condom use, if
sex cannot be postponed
altogether.
Fifteen years of work with
adolescents has taught
STF that sex is rarely
consequence-free, even if
condoms are used. Besides
health consequences, there
are educational ones.
Ugandan boys and girls
who have sex early are
twice as likely not to
complete secondary school
as adolescents who have
never had sex (see p1).
Currently only 10% of boys
and 8% of girls complete
secondary school in Uganda
(DHS, 2006).
Young For people from Europe or
adolescents North America who believe
are aware of and that adolescents have a right to sex, STF’s
often curious about stress on delaying or stopping sex may
sexuality. They need sound repressive. But life in Uganda is
correct information
profoundly precarious.
about body changes.
In the US, sex with a peer for
a boy, 17, will not lead to his
imprisonment. But in Uganda
thousands of boys are in jail for
consensual sex with girls aged
less than 18. Parents of many
more have had to sell land and
livestock to keep their sons out
of jail.
Similarly, sex for a girl, 17,
in Denmark will not lead to
her leaving school forever,
In the field: delivering unassisted, and
Director of Print becoming the wife of a man with other
Teopista Agutu wives. Yet about 50% of adolescent girls
interviews a father in in Uganda give birth attended only by a
Pader.
relative or traditional birth attendant or
alone: 17% are in polygamous unions.
All Ugandan adolescents know girls who have died
in childbirth or from aborting. All know peers who
have left school due to pregnancy. So it may also be
that adolescents do not object to “conversations”
STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT II
about postponing sex, even if
they are having sex.
Researchers for the STF mid-
term review found none
complaining about STF’s tone
on sex. STF seems to create
sufficient “conversations” on
condoms and relationships that
the sexually active feel included.
Mid-term review
This evaluation found that
adults and young people were
profoundly appreciative of STF
papers. They described them
as comprehensive, interactive,
relevant and consistent and
ascribed impacts to them that, if
true, are deeply positive.
Said a teacher in Bugiri: “Your
papers help students to be aware
of STDs and how to proceed
against acquiring the deadly
disease. They help them to create
healthier relationships with
teachers and fellow students.
They make them realize how far
to relate with different people.
They get confidence to talk freely about
sex-related issues.”
Said a teacher in Kasese: “I have seen
my students benefiting from the papers
since I started teaching.”
Adolescents appeared to take what they
needed from the papers at the time
they were reading them. The question
“what have you learnt from STF papers?”
provoked a wide range of answers. Some
said “listen to my parents”. Others said:
“test for HIV”; others said “avoid bad
groups”.
Many cited safer decisions they had
made after reading them. “When I was
II STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
pregnant my boyfriend told me
to abort,” narrated one girl.
“But from Straight Talk I found
that abortion can lead to death.
So I told my boyfriend and he
also feared. I gave birth and my
parents have taken me back to
school.”
This suggests that
communication projects might
focus less on key messages than
on a broad “talk” menu so that
every beneficiary finds something
useful, regardless of their place
on the continuum of risk.
For teachers
In 2008, STF continued to
produce Teacher Talk. Launched
in 2004, this paper aims to
improve teaching and learning
and support Uganda’s 127,177
primary teachers to live healthier
sexual lives. The biggest group
of public servants, these teachers
earn about $110 a month: morale
is low. The paper encourages
teachers to be “better” - drink
A young less, plan lessons, never have sex
mother, 19, in with pupils -- while affirming them.
Gulu: For married
adolescents and Funded by UNITY (MoES/USAID) in 2008,
young mothers, STF the February 2008 issue was on HIV/AIDS-
envisons safer and
friendly schools and the July issue on
happier lives, with
spaced births, no teacher absenteeism. Mid-term findings
domestic violence were positive. A teacher in Kasese said:
and good couple “Teacher Talk has taught us about our
communication. own problems. These things of HIV and
adolescents... people think we know them
STF designers but we are just learning.”
and print
journalists: Allan
Bulamu, Dennis
Pato, Deo Agaba,
Martha Akello,
Michael Kalanzi,
Edith Kimuli, Gilbert
Awekofua and
George Mukasa.
Rocket science: crafting newspapers that generate talk

I
n 2008 an American public health expert Hibiscus” (role models/inspiration); and a half
visited STF. She recounted how she goes on page of readers’ questions.
consultancies with an old issue of Straight
Talk. Laughing, she said: “I tell behaviour change The issue featured 31 young people from all
projects -- Do something like this. It’s not rocket over Uganda (balancing ethnicity is critical).
science.” The STF editors accepted the compliment Each A3 page had no more than 650 words
but begged to differ. Producing a Straight Talk or mixed with drawings, cartoons and photos, “We
Young Talk is rocket science. It is the hardest brief illustrate whenever possible,” says print director,
at STF. Topi Agutu. “Most readers have low levels of
English. When we have a mass of text, they can
The first hurdle is that Uganda is not yet a reading hardly find where to start.”
culture, and adult literacy is low. Ugandans
associate reading with exams; just 25% of mothers Although no issue is perfect, there is a good
of adolescents have completed primary school. chance that most readers found something that
spoke to them in this Straight Talk.
The second is how to create the
almost indefinable mix of content
that will “work” for most, if not
all, readers. The readers appear
homogeneous -- “youth in school”
or “youth who read English” -- but,
in reality, they are sliced and diced
by fault lines. Half are girls, half
boys. Just half live with both parents;
8% have neither parent alive. Most
have not had sex, but some have.
Of those, some have had consensual
sex, others forced.

The content must have meaning for

the orphaned girl leaving school to
marry; the girl destined for university
but abused by her uncle; the boy,
15, who has never had a wet dream;
the boy, 15, bothered by erections in
class, and so on. So it must be rich
and varied. At the same time, the
papers cannot be dense.

The July 2008 Straight Talk on rape

shows how STF tries to balance such
conflicting demands. It dedicated two
and a half pages to how to avoid/
resist rape, what to do if raped (PEP),
and survivors’ stories. These pages
were probably most avidly read by Above, girl reads the
Straight Talk on rape.
girls.
Left: STF counsellor Beatrice
For readers less anxious about rape Bainomugisha uses it in a
- e.g. boys - and for those having or school session. Fifty per cent
thinking of having sex, the paper had a of girls report “bad” touches
half page of condom questions. at primary school. Forced sex
is common. STF strives to help
girls protect themselves. “I
Interesting for both genders and for
used to move at night. Then
adolescents at all stages of maturation I read in Young Talk that you
were articles on “what is the hymen?”; may be raped. So I stopped,”
Obama, and the Nigerian novel “Purple said a girl, 17.

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT II

Letter analysis of Young Talk and Straight Talk

L
etters more than doubled to
STF’s youth papers in 2008. Young Talk response by sex
Every letter to STF is logged 1600 1515
for age, gender, schooling status, Male
1400
district and topic. This generates Female
rich data. 1200

number of letters
984
Gender 1000
Historically, girls have always
800 695
written more to Young Talk than 627
boys. This was again true in 2008 600
with 62% of letters coming from 433
356
girls. 400
Boys out-number girls at
200
secondary school (52% vs 48%).
So it was noteworthy that in 2008 0
girls surged for the first time ye a r 2 0 0 6 ye a r 2 0 0 7 ye a r 2 0 0 8
ahead of boys, writing 67% of years
letters to Straight Talk.
Straight Talk response by sex
STF has been making great efforts
to help girls and has perhaps 2500 2255
become better attuned to them. Male
If this is the case, it is profoundly 2000
Female
positive. Girls are at far greater 1702
number of letters

risk than boys.

1500
Compared to male agemates, by
age 18-19 girls are 902 931
• 18 times more likely to have 1000 775
645
HIV (3.9% vs 0.2%).
• eight times more likely to be 500
married.
• four times less likely to be 0
in school. (DHS, NAS, 2006; y ear 2006 y ear 2007 y ear 2008
UHSBS, 2004-5) years

Most young people who write to

the papers are seeking help. But Categories of ST letters

there are gender differences here

as well. Boys are far more likely reques t f emale
than girls to offer advice or try to male
win Straight Talk quiz questions. apprec iation
Girls are twice as likely to ask for
advice.
category

res pons e to quiz

adv ic e to others

s eeking A dv ic e

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400

num ber of letters

In early 2009 intern Gina written more for boys than girls
Akley analysed the Straight Talk - possibly a reflection of the need
newspapers of 2008. She found to “change” boys so as to help girls.
an equal distribution of girl- There were slightly more “girl”
focused and boy-focused articles. articles focused on sex, possibly
However, articles addressing because of the need to address
gender equality tended to be coerced sex in the lives of girls.

II STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

Age of readers/concerns Young Talkers are also deeply
In 2008 the mean ages of writers to Young Talk and Straight Talk were concerned about “sex”, often
13.4 and 16.8 respectively. asking hypothetical queries. E.g.
Salume in P7 asked Young Talk:
Young Talkers are far more concerned about body changes than Straight “If a girl who has been in her
Talkers. This is not surprising as the average female Young Talker is period plays sex with a boy of 5
about to start menstruating. years, will she get pregnant?”

YT Topics In contrast, Straight Talkers

are most concerned about
gif t 12
relationships and condom
general health 78 use, suggesting that they are
pregnanc y 109 grappling more with the realities
topics

f orc ed marriage 26 of sex.

relations hip 103
v irginity 30 Gender differences
c ulture 9 Boys and girls are equally
likely to ask Straight Talk about
body c hanges 210
relationships and condoms.
c ondoms 23
STD 66 However, girls are two to three
s ex 230 times more likely to ask about
0 50 100 150 200 250 body changes, pregnancy and
num ber of letters marriage. In contrast, boys are
far more concerned about STDs.

ST Topics Regional distribution

Straight Talk and Young Talk
g ift 29 received letters from 71 out
g e n e ra l h e a lth 116 of 80 districts in 2008. Top
p re g n a n cy 123 responders included Masaka,
Busia, Kaliro, Arua, Kabale,
fo rce d m a rria g e 93
Kasese and Ntungamo. There
re la tio n s h ip 489
were no letters from new
topics

virg in ity 80 districts such as Bukwa.

cu ltu re 23

b o d y ch a n g e s 218 Leading the regional response

400 to Young Talk was the West: with
co n d o m s
64
25% of the population, it sent in
S TD
31% of the letters. Leading the
s ex 292
response to Straight Talk was the
0 100 200 300 400 500 East: with 26% of the population,
number of letters it sent in 40% of the letters.

Straight talk Topics by Sex

Culture

Gif t (trans ac tional s ex ) Fe m a le

Ma le
General Health

Pregnanc y
Marriage
topics

V irginity

Relations hips

Body c hanges

Condoms
STDs

Sex related

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

number of letters

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT II

Straight Talk at a glance in 2008
n February 2006, Straight
I Talk wrote about Proscovia, a
student of Rock High School in
Tororo who is living with HIV.
Do you remember?
Since then we kept in contact
with Proscovia and in February
we decided to see her again. So
we travelled to Tororo.
First we met Mr Matanda Silver,
her deputy headmaster. He said
that there were other students
with HIV in the school, but
Proscovia was the only one who
had "gone public".
Then we met Proscovia herself, now in
S6 and offering HEG and Divinity. She
told us that when she disclosed her HIV
status to the world, her life changed
forever for the better. Here is her story.
Many people rushed to me after
seeing my photograph and
story. They asked me
questions, like:
'Prossy, was that you
in Straight Talk?
What made you
expose yourself
like that?
At first, I
found the
attention
too much.
Later, I
got
courage
Words of wisdom
Every time we liberate a woman,
we liberate a man. ~Margaret Mead
Whether women are better than men
I cannot say - but I can say they are
certainly no worse. ~Golda Meir
Boys and girls, be committed to respecting each
other. You have a right and responsibility to make
safe choices for now and the future.
Unlimited by gender
hat would you think if you saw a
W male nurse or a male secretary?
Or women playing "mweso" while their
husbands fetch water and carry babies?
Seems strange to you? You may have
some gender bias.
What comes to your mind when you see
the word gender? You may say gender is
ideas and expectations people have about
being a male or female. These expectations
could be in terms of roles, behaviour,
characteristics, values or abilities associated
with being male or female.
Domestic duties such as fetching water and
taking care of children are traditionally
considered women's work. But males too
can do these duties.
Apart from giving birth, which is dictated by
biology, men can do everything that women
can do and females can do everything that
men can do. Gender also refers to opportu-
nities associated with being male and female
and the relationships between women and
men and girls and boys.
Gender expectations are socially con-
structed and learned as you grow and
interact with other people. They vary from
society to society and can change.
Drop your gender bias. Support equal
choices and opportunities for all.
You simply need to be the best that you can be at
whatever you do. Anyone can do anything.
Gender and HIV
Do not let gender attitudes influence your choices about relationships, sex and your
future.Whether you are a girl or boy, you have a right to make safe choices. Choose to delay
sex. It is healthy and safe. If you are sexually active, use condoms.
.....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Remember the HIV basics
Read more basics next month!
Teens with
disability
have rights
“People ignore me even when it is an
important issue to the whole community.
Nobody asks for my opinion. They think I do
not reason because I move in a wheelchair.”
Faridah Nandawula 19, S5, Masaka
SS
Like Faridah, many young people are
living with disabilities. They are often
mistreated and denied what a child
without a disability may get.
Like any other child, a teenager with
disabilities has a right to education,
health, food, clean environment, to
socialize and be listened to
People with disabilities (PWDs) are
human like you
They love and want to be loved. It is
important to treat them the way you
would love to be treated. Make friends
with them.
We are all different in some way.
We
It could be because of tribe, class
yet she was the first runner up For more on disability, contact:
or economic income. Now think
about a time when you were for Miss Uganda
treated badly because you are says she has an inner inspiration to 530, Kisaasi Rd, Kampala.
attempt all those things that people
different. How did it feel? Did it
leave you with bad memories, without disabilities try to do.
anger or sadness?
Last chance to WIN OBAMA BOOK
BOOK: write now!
Barack Obama is running for
president
I10I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
Most people with HIV
who come out and
tell others, get a big
surprise! They get
love and comfort. It
stops the whispering
and stigma (see page
3). It also makes it
easier to get the
medicine you must
have such as Septrin
and TB treatment.
Disclosure
sets you free
•HIV is a virus. A person with
HIV has the virus in all their
body fluids but most
concentrated in their blood,
semen and/or vaginal fluids.
•HIV infection leads to AIDS.
HIV cannot be removed from
the body. Its multiplication
can only be controlled by
ARVs.
•To prevent HIV, we need to
change how we think about
sex. For example, boys do
not need sex, and if they
start having sex, they do not
need more than one sexual
If you are disabled, you have a right to
respect. Do not have self-pity. Be determined
and study hard. Many disabled people
Aidat Nabukalu is deaf
-- she cannot hear at all --
She •NUDIPU, PO Box 8567, Plot
in 2004-5.
of the United States.
The elections are on
November 6. All the world
is watching. Obama, 46,
is a brilliant lawyer. His
father was Kenyan and
his grandmother lives just
nearby in Kisumu!
Straight Talk will give
Obama's book to 20
readers who send in
honest and insightful
letters about the
following:
Ah, off to drink Youth volunteers at STF Boys, is your
Inspiration again! If men worked
I love my father a leader
as much as us, our or a ruler? Girls,
Corner family would be
culture and are talkative
Hey, Straight Talkers! You richer.
women
can win a copy of Purple am proud appreciated in
Hibiscus, a beautiful novel to be a your village?
Why? Why not?
by Nigerian writer
Chimamanda Adichie. She Karimojong Send true
stories and win
wrote it when she was Uganda is
a copy of
just 23. Send a story, committed to
empowering Dreams from
written like a novel, to PO
women by 2015. Nakiru my Father, by
Box 22366 Kampala. Barak Obama,
8 Tereza, Straight Talkers, what do you do in
March 200 Tell us how many hours your mother 2008 Democratic
Vol. 14 No.2 works compared to your father. Is it No.3 May Moroto your long vacs? ST is looking for
Vol. 14 young people aged 18-21 who speak candidate for
equal? WRITE TO PO BOX 22366 KLA
This year theing
Lukonzo, Ateso, Kupsabiny and 8 US president.
6 June 200
Lugbara! Send your CV Vol. 14 No.
world is mark
to PO Box 22366 Kampala.
25yrs
since HIVed
discover
was
Beautiful Karamoja
W hat do you know about Karamoja? The Karimojong
are Ugandans with strong traditions. This has made
Telling your life as a novel Chimamanda Adichie is the
and openly told them that I was brought me drugs always attracted attention.
some people feel negatively about them. Yet their society
has strengths that we can learn from.
Straight Talk travelled to Karamoja to get beautiful stories
to share with you. Read on....
author of Purple Hibiscus.
She wrote it when she was
23, the same age as many
Straight Talkers. She is a
role model and inspiration.
In February we asked Straight Talkers to write short stories: almost 100
responded. As promised, 20 of you win copies of the novel Purple Hibiscus. Ten
runner up winners will each get a T-shirt. Thanks to Dokolo Progressive
SS, Ruhaama SS, Agwata SS and Isoke Memorial in Kitgum for being star
schools! We especially liked Annet’s story. When you start reading, you do not
want to stop! Enjoy reading. Please note that some of the stories are fiction.
the one. I told them I wanted to let
other people know that
Children would say: 'TASO has come'. This made me
feel uneasy. But now I face no problem like that. Less HIV in Karamoja
someone can live with HIV like
any other chronic sickness.
I got more friends
I take ARVS openly
I used to take my drugs
secretly. Sometimes I
Did you know that the prevalence of HIV in Karamoja is very low? Of
Karimojong aged 15-49, less than 1% have HIV. This is far less than the
national figure of 6.4% and far far less than the over 8% of 15-49 year
A love story gone wrong
By Namagembe Annet, Dokolo I screamed at him. “Easy,” he said smiling
After that Straight Talk, would even miss doses. olds in the Central and Central North who have the virus. The
Progressive Secondary School sheepishly. I broke into tears.
many people showed me But now that everybody question here is, why? We tried to find out. One reason, it seems, is
care. Even those who did knows I have HIV, I take that they are serious on sex and marriage. I was the type of girl As I dressed, I noticed that wounds had developed
not talk to me before started them in the open. who easily gave in between my legs, and I was
greeting me. They do not Adikyo, an Elder from Naduket Moroto told us: to peer pressure. discharging blood.
want to see me lonely. I The teachers also "In Karimojong culture, boys and girls below 18 do not If I had resisted But Peter was
have become popular. I became more interested marry, and sex before marriage is a taboo. When a young the influence of courteous to lead
freely mix among other in me. They joke with me back to school.
students whether at school me a lot. I think they just man of 20 years or above wants to marry, he will identify a my friends, I
mature girl. He will negotiate with her parents for would be telling But this courtesy
or at the hostel. like to make me happy.
All this attention makes brideprice, which he pays and marries her. Most you a glorious ended there.
No more name me feel loved. Some Karimojong men marry one wife. One can marry another experience. But Weeks later he was
calling would tell me: 'Why wife only if the first wife cannot give birth. But still he does found bragging
this is what
Before my didn’t you tell us before?" Says Proscovia's friend not divorce her. " among boys that
story, CDC happened to
Juliet: "At times she he had used me.
staff who Hope for the me.
"After that would talk like has This young warrior is holding his Boys began to
future given up, but I would tell resent speaking to
Straigh t Talk, I got the courage to traditional stool. See page 3 and My friends got me a
her that many people learn how it is also a pillow. me while girls out
I got more love become open after out there have similar boyfriend. Peter was
rightly abused me
and can take counseling from problems." tall, handsome, gentle
TASO and Centre for as a ‘finished’ one.
my ARVs
openly"
Disease Control Culture in I am and smart. I loved it
when he gave me
I became a
(CDC). There was a
time when I never imagined talking freely about my
Positive Karamoja smart in my money. The first flowers
disgrace among
the born again
HIV status. I worried about death and felt people did
not like me.
Young warrior: • girls marry on average marriage
blanket skirt
I ever received were
from Peter. He made
community and a
at 19.3 years, a year later than in laughing stock at
"Disclosure" is when you speak out something
important to someone. Proscovia disclosed through
In fact, one day in 2005, I took an overdose. I had
heard that the Anti Retro Virals are strong and
loves cows the rest of Uganda! People from all continents
come here. This means we are
me feel loved.
school.
I am proud
Straight Talk that she had HIV. The consequences
In future when I get a wife, I will be • there is less sex before marriage: One day Peter took me
thought if I took many, they would kill me faster special people. I loved school so Three months to be a winner.
were good. She got new friends and more love. She than AIDS. I took 20 tablets when I was supposed
faithful to her. I fear HIV. In my culture 90% of unmarried females and 76% out. He ordered wine My dream is
much but my parents were not later I developed a
also feels relieved that she does not have to keep her to take only 3. I was surprised that I did not die. people say HIV is a curse for people who of unmarried males aged 15-24 in but I refused because I
daily sickness that confined me to the dormitory. I to be an
HIV status a secret any more. Now that has changed. I am a different person, have sex anyhow. I left school because my Karamoja have not had sex. supportive. I resorted to brewing was born again. Then he ordered a Coke. It was accountant or
was confirmed pregnant and dismissed from
with hope for the future. friends were out of school. I wanted to be alcohol. Brewing is where I get money already opened when it came. I sensed something agriculturalist.
school. I missed my S3 third term examination. I
part of them. I regret leaving school. I for survival. If I get an opportunity to was terribly wrong. I knew in my heart that alcohol
Culture in was deep in the village, far off in the rural area in
go back to school, why not? I admire or sedatives had been added to it. But I did not
raid animals, and I am proud of having Negative Karamoja want to offend Peter. So I neglected my conscience
Dokolo. A year has gone by and I now have a I am a Straight Talk chairperson in
Having HIV does not mean that you are immoral many cows, but I fear being killed.
Lomurai, 18, Naduket, • distrust of education • rape of brides
educated people. They look nice.
Nakiru Tereza, Moroto and accepted the soda.
healthy baby boy. But I do not know who his father
is since many boys lay with me that night. I also
my school. There are so many
benefits like educative messages. I
Dr Stephen Watiti of Mildmay Having HIV does not mean you There are many children with • cattle raiding. worry about HIV. I pray for strength to test. am very concerned about the plight
Centre is a prominent doctor are immoral. Many children HIV who have grown into Moroto It was not long before I became oblivious of what of girls who get unwanted
working in HIV. He is also living are born with it. Knowing adults. Some have was happening to me. I awoke in the morning to pregnancies and drop out of
with HIV himself. Here are his wise your status helps you to realised their dreams! Dictio- nary: Can you see what is good in the Karimojong find myself lying in a derelict room. My petticoat was
teens school. A Namagembe
words. look after yourself well. You
need counseling if you have There are about
The growing rate
Prevalence
Cherish- To love and
want to
culture that reduces the chance of HIV? Discuss
hanging on a nail on the wall. Beneath my skirt, I felt
my knickers was missing. Then I saw it strewn on the News for HIV+ at 32 new sites. The number of young
" urge Straight Talkers, who have lost HIV. Learn how to live with it 100,000 young people protect something floor. Three used condoms also lay there. Currently, Uganda has about 140,000 people on ARVs will double over the
Chores- The daily work in your Straight Talk Club.
I their parents or just their mothers
to test for HIV. Every person above
15 can test for HIV without the consent
Many people have dangerous
diseases like diabetes. They
living with HIV in Uganda.
But only about 10% or
10,000 of them are
especially at home
I felt so dirty. Suddenly I felt a searing pain across my
heart. From behind the door, I heard male voices
children Living with HIV, and each year
another 20,000 are born with the virus. Of
the 50,000 children and adolescents who
next few years. If you think you need
ARVs, please visit a health centre.
Straight Talk works with the Paediatric
of their parents or guardians. have accepted them and receiving treatment currently need ARVs, only 8000 are receiving
thanking Peter for letting them sleep with me. I was Infectious Diseases Clinic and Mildmay
If you are below 15, you can go to test learnt to live with them. with ARVs. them. to support HIV+ teens. Positive teens,
at Naguru Teenage Centre in Kampala, Having HIV is like having They all need love dumfounded. Peter entered the room. But all this is set to change. Next month send your stories to PO Box 22366, K'la.
Gulu or Kitgum Youth Centres or any diabetes, except that you and care and not Baylor University, working with local
“Get up and we go,” he said. “What have you done government, AIC and other partners, will
other place. can transmit it to others. stigma." to me?” start offering ARVs to children and teens BEST LETTERS WIN PRIZES
................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
This picture
was taken in
Bwindi: Straight Talk started in October 1993; for
adolescents aged 15-19 in secondary school.
You can get
a copy of
Straight Talk
in your
community
Funded by Dfid, Irish Aid and Danida via the
where you
see this
signpost.
8
August 200
Vol. 14 No.7
Civil Society Fund in 2008.
February:
July:
Who do you admire? Rape and PEP
March: August:
There is no such thing as a man's or a woman's job.
Men and women can share work equally for a better life and development.
Girl mechanics at work
Disclosure sets you free
Unlimited by gender
Helen and Olivia fix cars. To them it is natural to
change oil and look under the bonnets at
Zezziwe Automobile Vocational Training Insti-
tute in Kalerwe, Kampala.
April:
"I have loved mechanics since childhood, so I
September:
joined this institute after S6. "Says Helen 23, "My
friends thought this was a man's career and that
male mechanics would harass me. But that
didn't stop me."
Be assertive Teens with Disability have rights
Helen Bakanansa and Olivia Mukota check under the car bonnet
Girls, you can do technical education or
sciences. They are for both boys and girls.
In most societies there are differences and inequalities
between females and males in responsibilities given,
activities done, access to and control over resources, plus
Cooking makes me happy
Kaddu Mukasa Kironde
II (KK) has been cooking May: October: Safe transition
Beautiful Karamoja
decision-making opportunities. Because of these for at least the past 40
differences and inequalities women and girls have fewer years. He realised that
Nov/Dec: Relationships
rights, lower education and health status. They also have cooking is not just for
less access to resources and decision making than men. girls, a long time ago.
This makes girls and women powerless and vulnerable to
HIV. Promote gender equality in your home and school. “The cooking industry is
June:
Start by thinking about your views towards the girls and one of the most active in
boys you interact with. Positive gender attitudes contribute Uganda. It sustains a lot
to the reduction in the spread of HIV. of people. You can make
money from food.”
KK learnt to cook from
Telling your life as a novel
KK buying tomatoes his grandfather.
and onions
Remember the HIV basics
Straight Talkers,
do you want a job? • You can look
Sexual harrassment
If you are aged 18-21 and feel fine for If someone will not take your
and speak and write years with HIV in "No" for an answer, do not
Lukonzo, Ateso, your body. Only
an HIV test will
bother to argue. Just turn and
Kupsabiny, Lugbara, show if you have walk away.
Madi or Luo, send the virus.
your CV to PO • After 5 to 8
Box 22366 years, your body
Kampala. loses its ability
to fight sickness.
The virus has
destroyed too
many CD4 cells. Yes, HIV can be
confusing!
er 2008 2008
9. Septemb • Young people 10 October
Vol. 14 No. who got HIV at Vol. 15 No.
Safe transition
birth are now
teenagers with
normal sexual
feelings. So sex
with a "virgin"
will not protect
you from HIV.
A
s soon as I joined
S1, I started
‘conning’ girls by for every teen to A-level; S6
writing them letters.
I never missed any dance From... P7 to S1; O-level to new
organized at school. I did all to Campus; Old schoolcamp to
this because I quickly gained school; From IDP ied to
the favour of students with
home; From unmarr
married; Or any other
whom we shared interests.
Peer pressure was too
much on me. directio n...
But I realized I was losing
If so, remember those feelings before you laugh, tease
or mistreat someone who is living with a disability. out. I got saved. My spirit Ojakol Simon Peter
grew stronger. I stopped and his girlfriend are saved.
Empathise messing up. I want to do You ask him why he has a
People with disabilities have rights to be something vocational like girlfriend yet he is saved, he
respected just like you do. Take action and brickmaking as well as quickly answers: “When you
support them. Make a difference in their lives. preaching in my S4 vacation. are saved, the hormones are
Go out of your way to support them. They My goal is to be a preacher not saved”. Get his full transition
need empathy and not sympathy.
or pharmacist. I need to inspire story on page two.
Sympathy is a kind of useless pity. In contrast, young people to change their lives
empathy is putting yourself in the shoes of
others and trying to truly understand how they
with the Word of God”. So, you might ask...
feel. Tendo Sidney, 16, in S4 at Ojakol Simon what is transition?
Genesis SS, Luwero concludes his Peter A transition is the process or period of
Choose not to
• tell jokes about them story with a bubbly smiling face. He is not changing from one condition or environment
• stare at them shy to share his challenge as he went through to another. It may be from one school to
• exploit them sexually. transition from primary to secondary. Yes, he another or one level of education to another. As
was growing up, changing school environment, we go through life we make many transitions.
meeting new friends, and probably
gaining a lot of freedom. Transitions are risky times for HIV. The environment
is new. You are off balance, not on familiar territory.
have
ve made it in life.
Alice Nabbosa had
many fears and expectations
as she waited to join S1
Be extra vigilant!
at Mulusa Academy. "I • Girls, watch out for big boys wanting to use you.
expected to find new It happens.
•Uganda Society for Disabled
Children, PO Box 16346, Plot teachers, new students and • Girls and boys, watch out for your own sexual
feelings. A new environment can be intoxicating!
1 Kamjokya St, Kampala. new dressing styles. But I
feared getting a boyfriend. • Take your time in deciding what groups you
want to join.Wait, watch, assess the situation, do
I never wanted to get
pregnant. I have held onto my not rush in to anything.
values. I avoid boys and prefer • Do not try to be impressive. Take it easy and be
Alice to abstain from sex." the winner in the end.
Nabbosa So far her transition has been safe!
In the village, women who speak
out are often said to be rumour
“People call me ‘Koloba’ and ‘Butcherman’
because I have a problem with my leg
mongerers or behaving like from polio. But I get love at home and my
"men". How can a woman make
suggestions without being seen as
friends treat me well. I want to be a lawyer 15 years of Straight Talk!
or teacher.
too assertive and not womanly? I have sexual feelings like any other
T
he first Straight Talk came out on 19 October 1993, exactly 15 years ago
Does your mother openly offer adolescent. I manage them by avoiding
ideas? What happens? Tell us the this month! That old newspaper might look funny to you but we were proud
the person I have feelings for.” Nabwami of it! Those were the days before internet and mobile phones. It was even a big
story.
What about your Dad? Is he a ruler Rosette, 16, S2, Misanvu SSS, Masaka Luweero man, Tendo Sidney. deal to write about sex! In 1993, 33% girls aged 15-19 were tesing positive for
or leader for you? His transition from P7 to HIV at AIDS Information Centre. Now the figure is 1.8% for girls aged 13-17 and
Send letters to
secondary landed him in 6.1% for girls aged -- still too high but much better. It has been a priviledge to
problems. Be careful when work with you, young people. Most of you are postponing sex until you are older.
PO Box 22366, you go to a new school. It is
a time of exploration when
You understand your body changes and sexual feelings. You are smart about
condoms. Keep it up! Straight Talk is with you and on your bumper at all times.
Kampala. you can easily get confused. With love from all of us, the ST team.
 Young Talk at a glance in 2008
Not for SALE: Vol. 11 No.2 Not for SALE: No. 3 Vol. 11
March 2008
Not for SALE: Vol. 11 No.3
Young Talk
Feb 2008 April 2008
Young Talk
•Know your rights is FREE
•Know your rights Young Talk
•Know your rights
is FREE is FREE
•Stay in school
•Stay in school Sex education for •Stay in school
•Wait to have sex
Sex education for Sex education for
primary schools primary schools primary schools
•Delay sex •Delay sex
Many young people are living with HIV/AIDS but they are healthy and have big dreams.
What manners Caring for a
do you have? Positive Living person with AIDS
and Loving
Welcome back from the long holidays. Helping others
We hope you enjoy 2008. But for you One day my mother sent me to the market. On You cannot get HIV through
to enjoy, you need to have good my way, I met a very old woman carrying heavy
luggage. She looked tired. I helped her with the
Q

Q
hugging shaking hands
Q

touching an infected person

I cared for my father
manners. luggage. Qsharing plates and clothes with an My father became ill in could not perform well in
infected person 2004 when I was 12. I was in class. The good thing, I did
Manners are ways in which you behave. When I got home, my mother beat me for taking P5 at Zion PS in Entebbe. not have to look for school
Manner can be good or bad. Good manners
Young Talk met this free and brave
long. I later told her why I delayed. Although My brothers and sisters fees. The school paid for me
(values) can help you succeed in what
James who shared his story.
she had beaten me, I felt good because I had were in boarding school. because I was a good
you do at home, school or in your helped the old woman. They had a sponsor who was goalkeeper.
I want to become
community. In this Young Talk, paying for them. We lived
read about what Young Talkers with my brother who had I missed my PLE since I did
president of Uganda
I learnt to be kind from my father. He used to
in Yumbe district have done help people in need. Zubeda Yassin, Acholi just completed S6. not have money for
and feel proud about. Do you
"I came to know that I was HIV
PS I cooked and washed for my sick registration. I sat home for a
think they have good
positive when I was 11. I was in P4. father. He had saved money which year but now I am in P7 at
manners?
I had lost my parents and I was falling sick all the we used to buy food. When It got Maganjo SDA PS.
time. My brother took me for a test. At first I
Zubeda Protecting animals did not believe my results. I have never had sex.
But after being counseled, I accepted I had HIV
finished, I worked as a porter at a
bricklaying site to earn money for
food.
I told the headmistress that I
was a good footballer. She
and needed treatment. I was tired of falling sick.
y father had many allowed me to study for
Yassin
ARVs have made me feel better. I hope one day I
animals. We would Dad became very ill and was free.I hope to become a
carried
luggage
for an old
M graze them together. At first
I hated it, but after sometime,
will get well. It is not easy taking drugs everyday,
it irritates. At times I feel like vomiting. But I still
want to live and become an important person in
admitted in Entebbe Hospital. We
needed more money. My brother left
for Kampala to look for a job. I
professional footballer.
Kabuye Charles, 15,
P7, Maganjo SDA
I started enjoying looking after PS, Wakiso
woman animals. I feel bad when they fall sick. future. I thank God that people treat me well. would go to work everyday before
My father taught me to handle When I was in school, my friends used to treat and after school. Late in the evening,
animals well. They also have a right me well. But now I am out of school. I lack I would prepare food and take it to
school fees. hospital. The food would last for Like Charles, there
to live. two days. I would feed dad and help are many young
One day I found people stoning our My advice to Young Talkers is to him change clothes.
people taking care of
neighbour's goat. It had eaten their abstain from sex. They should also
test to know their HIV status. You may Sometimes I would sit and listen to people with AIDS. It is
cassava. I stopped them and took the
Good goat to our neighbour. He was so have got HIV from your parents just my father. He needed someone to not easy. Read more
like me." Ewelu James of Mbuya talk to since he was always alone "I could
can thankful. When I was sent away for about how to look feed my dad
manners school fees, he gave me the money I believe the
during the day. He encouraged me
to continue with my studies. He said after a person with and help him
help you me
and I went back to school. I believe I will beco da AIDS and still go to
t of Ugan
when he dies, I should stay with my change clothes,
succeed he helped me because I saved his Presiden I live uncle. As he talked, I cried. After a then find time to
goat. Ismail Zalika, Agongo PS one day. take my school. Also find out
y. I month, my brother returned without work before and
positivel on time.
drugs
a job. Then dad died. how you can avoid after school.
Just like Zalika, good manners can bring Looking after my dad was tiring. I HIV on Page 2
about good results. Bad manners can lead
• Would you tell
you into danger. Read more about how to • Sleeping under a treated others if you You can support relatives with AIDS in the following ways:
behave on page 2. mosquito net to avoid malaria were HIV
What Positive • Taking septrin everyday. Septrin positive?
• Would you love
• What do you think about Zubeda Living means drug helps the body to fight
diseases that easily attack yourself the way
• Support and care for your
if • Visiting a health centre people with HIV, like; cough, James does?
• You will be respected rs and Yassin's stories?
whenever you are sick pneumonia, and diarrhoea • Do you think it
friends who have HIV
• Having HIV is not the end of
you have good manne • Would you have done the same ? • Avoiding sex; To avoid • Drinking a lot of safe water is a good thing
life. You can still do great

• Avoid bad groups; they

can teach you bad
`manners
• Stand for your values
• Have you ever done something you are
proud of? Share your stories with your friends.
• What manners do you think can make
you and your parents proud? ?
YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7
infecting others and getting
even more HIV
• Disclosing your HIV status.
Telling other people that you
are HIV positive helps you live
freely and get their support
• Looking after your body by
taking personal hygiene
• Eating nutritious food. Have a
balanced diet each meal
• Doing light exercises to keep
healthy
to support
children with
HIV?
Share your
experience and
your views with
your friends.
things
•Knowing your HIV status helps
you look after yourself well
and live long
• Sharing your HIV status can
helps you live feerly
YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7
Cook food that has vitamins
and protein like green
vegetables and beans. Always
give your patient clean water
Wash clothes and maintain
hygiene to protect your
patient from diarrhoea
Support the
patient to the
bathroom
Make sure your patient takes
medicine correctly everyday,
including daily septrin.
YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7

Young Talk started in February 1998; for Not for SALE:

Young Talk
is FREE
Vol. 11 No.6
June 2008

•Know your rights

adolescents in primary school in classes P4- Sex education for

primary schools
•Stay in school
•Delay sex
7 (age 10-14). Funded by Dfid, Irish Aid and
Girls and boys can
Danida via the CSF in 2008. do the same work
Have you ever stopped to think about
the work boys and girls do in your

February: July: Defilement

home or village?

What manners
Young Talk travelled to Mpigi district
in central Uganda and talked to
pupils of St. John Bosco Katende
PS about work for boys and girls.

do you have?
Nakato Martha says:

August: Living with

"I am given a lot of work. Wasswa does
little work. My father says boys do not do
housework. He says boys do not enter the
kitchen."

March:
Joshua Wasswa says:

Positive living and disabilities "I do not know why Nakato is given more work.
When I go to play, my father tells her to remain
home and wash plates. He told me boys are not
supposed to do work meant for girls. I can only help

loving
my sister to fetch water but cannot cook. I am told

September:
men are not supposed to be in the kitchen".

Handling
These stories show that there is more work for
Nakato and less for Wasswa. It is common for girls
to have more work than boys in many families.
Henry Manyire, who teaches at Makerere

April: Caring for a person painful periods

University says; "this affects and reduces
the time girls have to be children. They
play less and may not go to school while
boys have more time to be children".

asswa P7,
This is not good for girls.

shua W
with AIDS
,
TWINS: Jo a Nakato, 13 igi

October:
Boys! Help girls with housework.
th Mp
and Mar sco Katende PS
There is no work that was

Managing
made only for girls or just for

St John Bo
boys. Both can share out

ize!
the same work equally.

Win a pr
May: Karamoja change safely
Good things about sharing work • Nobody is overworked.
•Discuss and write
that girls do at
down the work
•Who works longer
down the work
home. Now write
that boys do.
hours? Boys

Nov/Dec:
• Work becomes easy or girls? , Kampala,
Send to Box 22366 you are going

June: Girls and boys can do Friendship

• Saves time
• You all have enough time to read and play. stories about what to make sure
to do in your home
equally between
• You learn to do different types of work like
cooking, washing, looking after younger ones, work is shared
Tell us how this
digging and slashing. boys and girls. .
• You learn to work together as a team. This makes will help your family
ERS WILL WIN

the same work

sisters and brothers good friends THE BEST ANSW TS.
• You all feel loved Young Talk T-SHIR
• You will have respect for each other
Y O U N G T A L K IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7

Vol. 10 No.10
Young Talk, Nov/Dec 2008 

Not for SALE:

Not for SALE: Vol. 11 No.7 Not for SALE: Vol. 10 No.8
July 2008 August 2008 Young Talk is FREE
Young Talk Young Talk
is FREE •Know your rights is FREE •Know your rights Sex Education for primary schools

• Know your rights

Key Messages
l Friendship between boys and
•Stay in school
• Stay in school
Sex education for Sex education for •Stay in school • Say a BIG NO to sex girls does not mean sex
primary schools primary schools l Boys and girls can be friends
•Delay sex •Delay sex l Treat your friends as you would
want to be treated

Defilement
l Friends share
I love my body
Living with s:
Good friend
“
I was a lone at home. That day i had lunch outside the house.
after lunch i took the plates back inside the house. suddenly
the son of our landlord followed me inside. he held me,
pushed me down and defiled me. i was so scared i could not
scream. i felt a lot of pain. i felt so bad. now i am seven
months pregnant.
Do you live with any kind of
disabilities But he says.....
:
SAFETY WITH FRIENDS Hanifa,
Najjuuko Brenda, Nakalembe Fiona
l Respect each other
l Do not annoy each other.
l Forgive each other
l Give good advice
l Respect each other’s bodies.

Friendship
When my parents came back, i told them what happened Kamungi Diana, and Natukunda l You should avoid bad touches
disability? How do you feel
SAFETY ON YOUR WAY TO
to me. They went to the police and the boy was arrested. My and how do other children I know how HIV spreads all of KCC PS, Kampala. l Introduce their friends to their
mother was annoyed with me. she said i should go and SCHOOL: Walk in groups or
with friends
treat you?Do not feel bad I do not share sharp objects with I am careful with my body. I love it parents
stay with the man who made me about yourself. You are normal anyone. My father told me to avoid girls so much. I cannot allow anyone
l Help each other with classwork
pregnant. a friend advised if I am to avoid getting HIV. to abuse it. I do not accept gifts
her to bring me to Mirembe
and have a right to be
from men. Yo-acel Monica, l Talk about how to avoid
protected from abuse.If you HIV/STDs
house where i am staying live or study with children I do not like nicknames 14, P7, Masaka School of
as i wait to give birth. Some children used to call me children with special l Pray together
The man who defiled me
with disabilities, know that 'Butcherman.' I was not happy, I needs. l Help you to get to what you
was released. i wonder they have feelings. Respect reported them to the teachers. want in life
whether i will ever go them and protect them
l Do not demand for sex when
back to school,” Girl I miss football
13 years.
from sexual abuse.
Football is my best game. I they give you gifts.

THERE is a friend who tells me that he

cannot play it, I just watch
have sex. But we are now just friends. We help each
What happe- others play. Pupils call me
ned to this Do not allow to be the coach. I laugh at those loves me. He keeps touching me on other with classwork. He gives me good
girl is called abused. Say NO to who have two legs and my way home. I do not like what he is advice like he advised me to stop stealing.
defilement. sex. Protect can’t even kick a ball. doing. What can I do? Wenene Caro- Kwagala Joan, Green view PS, Kaliro
It is a sad line, P7, Elgon PS, Mbale
story. yourself from HIV. I want to become Are you a girl? Do you have a boy who is your
a judge Young Talkers, what do you think of Caroline’s story? friend? Are you a boy and have a girl as a friend?
 defile- SAFETY AT SCHOOL: If a teacher I want to study hard and
ment is asks you to take books to his Young Talk visited children
become a judge of the We think that boys and girls can be friends without How do you behave to each other?
when a man house, go with a friend with disabilities in Masaka.
International Criminal Court There is a woman who wanted to asking for sex. In October Young Talk editors visited
or boy has They talked about their life,
in The Hague. Amos buy me sweets. I feared that she Kaliro district and met bright pupils. Read on and see Share knowledge
sex with a girl dreams and how they
what they said about friendship between boys and I have a girlfriend who is very beautiful. But I take her
Scream Mwesezi, 12, P6, Nabinene could force me into sex and give
below 18 years. avoid HIV. me AIDS. Derrick Musoke,
girls. as my sister. We help each other with studies and
loudly for
Adventist PS, Masaka.
it does not matter 14, P7, Masaka School of

We need friends for:

share knowledge. So friendship does not mean sex.
whether it is forced all to hear Amos Mwesezi children with special needs
or not. Help each other Let’s take girls as our own sisters, and say no to sex.
you
got a wound on
 Be careful, anyone his left leg when Monica and Derrick use Sign Language to I had a boy friend when I was in P4. We did not Gumpi Cohen, Green View PS, Kaliro l Playing and fun
can defile you. it can he was a baby. learn. They can't hear or talk. But they are very l Protection (It is hard for someone to harm you
even be someone
you know and
It could not heal
active at school. Monica is also the headgirl. Boys and girls, treat when you are with friends)
Have you ever your friends just as you

It is ten years
trust like your
and he got a disability.
would treat your brother l Help when in need l Good advice
compared yourself
doctor, teacher, babysitter or It is ten years or sister l Knowledge sharing l Sharing

It is ten years

!
with a friend?
even your parent!
 Boys, defilement is a
ofWeYoung Talk Disability is not inability Did you think you were of Young Talk
of Young Talk
serious crime. You can go to better or worse than the
are changing your
Many people with disabilities have made it In your club, talk about
prison for it. SAFETY AT HOME: Ask your in life. Some are MPs, teachers, doctors and other person?

AIDS
what you would like to
newspaper to make it more parents to invite someone you lawyers. Abdul Busulwa, who is visually Accept that God created change or add in Young

fun. in your club, discuss what trust to stay with you while they
your
Just like this story We are changing impaired (blind) is soon going to America to you differently. Compar- Talk to make it more fun.

teaches us, defile-

ment can lead to:
you would like to change in
Young Talk.
Stay safe are away newspaper to make it more fun.
In your club, discuss what you
do his third degree. He works with National
Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda
ing can make you or your
friends sad.
Write and tell us what
Corner
•early pregnancy •Ask grown ups not would like to change or add in
Write and tell us what
(NUDIPU)
•dropping out of school to send you at night. you want to change
HIV positive
•hiV/sTd infection would you want to Young Talk. He says;"You need courage and
BEST LETTERS
change. •Learn to sense Write and tell us on determination to succeed. Many times I children need
danger. P.O.Box 22366 Kampala. love and care
Mirembe house is a wanted to leave school but I told myself,

best letters
home where children •Adults mean well why leave now when I have come this far? just like you.
who get pregnant are but some including I grew up in a poor family but we shared
Look at your friends. Play with them.
kept. It is located in Old relatives may defile
you
best letters the little we had equally. Before I joined
Makerere University, I was the best at S4 in How are they useful to you? If your friend Help them to

win prizes!
Kampala. If you need Iganga district and 2nd best in S6. Believe in wants you to do things that can put you take their medi-
their help, call Vivian •Avoid visiting boys SAFETY ON YOUR WAY FROM in danger, he or she is a bad friend.
cine daily.
Kityo
0755064580 when you are alone SCHOOL: Avoid free lifts WIN prizes! yourself, you will make
it in life". YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7
YOUNG TALK IS FOR TEACHERS AND PUPILS IN P5, P6 AND P7

Young Talk is for Teachers and pupils in p5, p6 and p7

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I11I

Distribution: “Received but copies were not enough”

D
istribution chief Stella Olaboro, STF Mailing List 2008
27, and assistant Justin Otim, Primary Schools 13,640
24, dispatch eight million Secondary Schools 3,201
newspapers a year to almost Straight Talk Clubs 727
25,000 addresses, supported by 25 Young Talk Clubs 122
casual labourers and 5000 rolls of Tertiary Institutions 531
sticky tape. Bundling and posting CCTs/ Teacher Colleges 578
take physical stamina. The fiddly District Education Offices 80
job of tracking addresses takes District Inspector Schools 80
perseverance. Health Centers 1729
NGOs 466
Stella’s parents -- a university CBOs 1576
lecturer and radiographer -- died of Baptist churches 74
AIDS as did three of her sisters. In Catholic churches 121
need of money, she started bundling Church of Uganda churches 831
for STF at 19. “The papers are Islamic Institutions 49
beneficial to students,” says Stella. Police 120
“Teachers put in a lot of effort to Prisons 56
come to give us their addresses.” Libraries 26
MPS 304
Distribution In 2008, Stella and Justin sought mobile numbers for International addresses 273
Manager every school. Now STF issues a text alert when parcels Libraries 27
Stella reach upcountry post offices. Teachers often text back, Farm Talk Institutions 180
Olaboro many with affection. TOTAL 23,791
says: “My
own story “Dear, thanks for the YT and answering pupils questions.
makes me care They so excited,” wrote Kibuye PS. “We receive all your
because when publications. Keep up and may God bless you,” wrote
I was growing Mothercare PS in Nutungamo.
up no one
gave me this However, many are frustrated by the small number of
information. copies and delivery delays. The system is not perfect.
And I know “Received but the copies were not enough” wrote
that there Sydney Paul Day and Boarding PS, Masaka. “Have
are so many checked in the post office three times but haven’t got
people for copies,” wrote Nyakabale PS. “Please, ST, I have checked
whom Straight in Post Office but there is nothing,” wrote Keti PS,
Talk is the only Yumbe.
information
they will get.” Every month STF also physically delivers papers to 250 Loaded up: STF spends two
NGOs in Kampala. In a year, for example, TASO receives days every month delivering
36,000 for its 12 upcountry branches, World Vision papers.
51,000, and Family Planning Association 57,000.

Vol. 3 No. 1, September 2008

Print partnerships in 2008
Scouts Voice journalists during a
training at Kazi scouts national
Scouts Voice, started in 2005, funded by addressed disclosure, ARVs,
Path-Kenya-USAID, for Ugandan and Kenyan safe water, condoms and
training and camping site, in
Kampala in August this year

Scouting for Solutions Not for sale

...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

scout troops. UGANDA March: Support other positive living topics.

imagined that the things that can put you in danger
aviours, Dear scout, and non Message from
Avoid beh people scout, welcome to you do, say, places you go
to and people you relate
of getting HIV is all
around you. As you read Mr kello Richard,
places andus at risk
the last issue of
Scouts Voice this with, can expose you to this issue, find out if you the NEC, Uganda Scouts
that put shows the year. HIV? have been alert enough to Association
bstinenceive power Yes! Sometimes, even the
sense the risks around
you.
protect s and In the last issue you people you trust so much

people with HIV. Oct: Can you sense HIV

read about Gender and
of boy HIV. In this issue, find
can put you at risk. Find out if you can avoid
girls more about what can put Sometimes our own risks, and also know what
you at the risk of getting bevahiours can put us at factors stop you from
HIV/AIDS. Have you ever risk pf getting HIV. Risks avoiding the risks

Can you sense

............................................................................................................................... ............................................................................................................................... .........

risks? KENYA: Aug: We are one. Dec: Are you Karamoja posters on
HIV risks?
Our vision as Scouts is
“Creating a better
Dangers of gifts world” and our

aware of HIV risks? Jamboree edition Uganda. education, for UNICEF, print
In 2006 there was a party in Mission is “Educating
our village. A man asked my young people to play a
friend to dance with him. constructive role in
This turned into something society”. Think
dangerous. The man later through your life as a
What is a risk? Scout, are you doing
You are said to be at risk gave her some money, then a
things that are helping
when you are exposed to phone. Later he forced her create a better world

run 2000.
something which can harm or into sex and she got pregnant. today? Are you playing
hurt you. Think of the things But she said she learnt a a constructive role at
you do, the places you visit, lesson and promised never to home, school, among
and people you relate with. If do that again. She went back your peers or in the
to school with a dream of community where you
any of them can hurt you,
becoming a lawyer, Bwire stay?
then you can call it risk. Sometimes young
What are your plans to stay Sharon, 14, Dabani girls
people involve

Everyday Health Matters, launched 2006,

safe? themselves in activities
Sharon’s story is one example
that have less value
In July, a group of scouts of situations that can put and put one at risk.
trained in Kazi as SV someone at the risk of early
jourlaists interviewed some pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. Know what kind of
SV readers in the nearby While Sharon’s friend was environment you live
schools about their able to go back to school, in because most risks

for adults, funded by AFFORD/USAID and HIPS/USAID, rebranded and

experiences which could put remember that for many girls, we face come from our
getting pregnant marks the environment. Not all
them at risk of getting HIV. SHARING INFORMATION WITH HELPFUL FRIENDS CAN risks are the results of
The journalists also told their end of education.
MAKE YOU AVOID RISKS. Children of Busabala PS our own behaviors.
own stories of HIV risks . read Scouts Voice (SV). Reading scouts voice But we can control all
Read to find more about risks is one way of gaining information which can risks.
and how you can avoid them help you avoid risks Always remember that
your behaviour can

developed with Ministry of Health and other reprinted Everyday Health

put you at risk. Your
When you are at risk
is
friends’ behaviours
can also put you at risk
. Avoid the places if the risk and behaiours of other
people around you can
coming from an also put your life at
environment risk.
. Avoid the friends if it is

partners. In Feb 2008 STF produced an Matters, leaflets, flipcharts,

Fellow scouts , value
friends putting you at risk your lives, avoid all
. Stop, think and change your things that can put
behaviour if it is your own you at risk. As in our
promise lets’ help
action putting you at risk other people but
. Report to responsible never forget our duty
authority if the risk is to self that demands

EHM on “staying strong with HIV”, which peer education manuals.

coming from someone you that we all stay a live.
cannot stop yourself
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................!.................................1
.

I12I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

Forester Joseph Otim
holds a young Afezelia
africana, one of the
8000 seedlings of this
indigenous species that
he has raised.

Joseph’s parents were

killed by LRA rebels but
he managed to complete
his A levels. STF’s
sister NGO Mvule Trust
sponsored him to study
at Uganda’s National
Forestry College.

He leads Tree Talk’s

programme in Kitgum.

tree &
farm talk
STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I13I
 These are sound goals. Most schools
have land, often as much as 20 acres
in the central north and northeast.
And schools need fuelwood if their
teachers and learners are to eat. Less
than 20% of schools provide midday
meals: those that do either buy wood
(spending up to $100 a term on
firewood, a cost they can ill afford) or
make learners carry a stick to school
everyday. These can be seen stacked
with poignant neatness against
classroom walls.

Tree Talk is Uganda’s only

Trees for environmental newspaper. With about
schools: half of all schools raising seedlings
Pupils in a
from Tree Talk seed, it caused an
primary school
estimated 8000 nurseries to be
in Yumbe

T
ree Talk and Farm Talk were
launched in 2002. The idea was
to create newspapers to “do”
for the environment and agriculture
what Straight Talk and Young Talk were
doing for ASRH: create buzz, new
ideas, action, new analysis.
set up. But this sounds better than it is. Not all
place newly
seed germinates, and a good proportion of those
delivered
seedlings seedlings that do grow perish in the nursery or later
under a in the ground. Many obstacles get in the way, from
tree prior to lack of water to raise seedlings to seedlings dying
planting. for lack of care in the holidays to livestock trampling
or eating saplings in woodlots.

With the second or third highest population growth
in the world, Uganda’s environment is in free fall. In
much of the country, women now walk three times
further for firewood than they did 15 years ago.
Floods, windstorms which remove school roofs, and
erosion are side effects of the 92,000 ha of forest
lost yearly. Agricultural production per capita is
also declining as the soil is mined for crops and not
replenished. Over 53% of Ugandan children under
the age of five are stunted -- short for age --
because of chronic undernourishment. (DHS, 2006)
Tree Talk
Tree Talk is a four page newspaper that is sent
once or twice a year to every school in Uganda.
Each school receives a sachet of tree seed with its
bundle. The aim is that the school will germinate
the seed and grow a woodlot as well as indigenous
trees for shade, beauty, wind control and wildlife.
In 2006 STF acquired funding from World Food
Programme, which was then feeding over two
million people in the North and Karamoja, to
produce not only Tree Talk but to run an on-the-
ground woodlot programme. Able to hire young
foresters who rode from school to school on
motorbikes and set up central nurseries, in 2006
STF planted over 244,400 trees in 227 schools in
these distressed regions. About 60% survived to one
year. In 2007, STF planted a further 229,000.
Today Tree Talk woodlots can be seen along the
Gulu and Kitgum road. The fast-growing trees
-- Senna, Eucalyptus and Neem -- are now many
metres high and have begun to be harvested, often
as poles for teachers’ houses. The indigenous trees
-- particularly the hardwood Mvule -- are fewer but
also visible.
The cost
Care for your
climate! With
this Tree Talk,

per tree
18,000 schools
countrywide are
receiving tree seed.
Start your nursery

surviving
and woodlot
British High Commission now.Right: Brenda
This special Tree Talk on climate
change was produced with the Uganda of the Twogere Kaati
Carbon Bureau. It is sponsored by the il 2008
British High Commission in Kampala. No.1 Apr Radio Program with

is a
The British Government is committed Vol. 6
to a low carbon global economy. her mvule seedlings

respectable
The climate is changing!
But we can fight climate change with trees

$0.60.
Trees naturally trap also has one of the it releases the areas, accounts for
carbon dioxide, best climates in the carbon dioxide that 20% of man-made

Left: Tree
which they use world for growing was stored. This greenhouse gas
during photo-
synthesis. At the
trees. But more and
more trees are being
contributes to global
warming. Cutting
emissions each
year. You can fight Save ts
same time they emit
oxygen, which we
cut down for
charcoal, firewood
down forests also
means that there
this by protecting
the forests that are fores
Talk nursery
need to breathe. and timber and to are fewer trees to left and by growing w
Uganda is lucky, it clear land for produce oxygen. more new trees. Gro s
tree
still has some agriculture. When Deforestation,
natural forests. It the wood is burned, especially in tropical

in Adjumani: What are greenhouse gases, global warming?

Visible are
seedlings of Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide. They naturally
encircle the earth. But too many greenhouse gases

Markhamia
cause the earth to heat up. This is global warming.

Is the weather in your The atmosphere (the air

area changing? Is there we breathe) is naturally
dry land where it was made up of different There are
once wet, or floods where gases, including carbon now more

(Lusambya),
it was once dry? dioxide. Some of these floods and
gases are called
"greenhouse gases". droughts in
Does your favourite Uganda due
wetland for swimming Why do they have this
name? to global
now have little water?

Senna and
Is the temperature
warming.
They are called
hotter than before? "greenhouse gases" Greenhouse gases carbon dioxide to be greenhouse gases come
because they trap the sun's naturally act like a blanket released. from the destruction of
All over the world, the heat like the plastic and keep the Earth warm. Cars, planes and factories forests.
weather is changing: sheeting that is used to This is good: without burn fuel, releasing carbon

Musisi.
this is called climate
change. Climate change
is dangerous because it
disturbs our crops, water
and health.
make greenhouses.
Have you seen such
greenhouses near Entebbe
that are used for growing
flowers and vegetables?
them, the Earth would be
very cold!
Unfortunately humans
have caused too much
dioxide into the
atmosphere. When forests
are burnt, they also release
carbon dioxide.
Today 20% of all man-made
To reduce the carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere
and thereby fight climate
change, we can grow trees
and protect forests.

I14I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

In 2008 Tree Talk received funding from several
sources: Kumi
•The British High Commission gave UGX 18 million woodlot: A
via the Uganda Carbon Bureau for an issue on pupil tends
global warming. This went to all schools in the a Senna
country with Mvule or Senna seed, depending tree. Kumi is
upon the ecological zone. Uganda’s most
• National Forestry Authority gave almost UGX 13 deforested
million for trees for 45 schools around Mt Kei, an district. Below:
area of high biodiversity on the Sudan border in a heap of
Yumbe district. firewood to
• Philanthropists Madeleine and Timothy Plaut cook the mid-
donated $15,000 for tree-growing in 15 schools day meal in a
in Kumi. primary school
in Karamoja.
• FAO gave UGX 50 million for school woodlots in
Gulu and Kaberamaido.
• USAID’s WILD project
provided UGX 299 million for
Tree Talk in Lwo, radio work
in Lwo and Madi, and tree
growing in Amuru, Kitgum,
Moyo and Adjumani.

With funding amounting

to $276,000, these efforts
resulted in the planting of
494,000 trees at a cost of
$0.56 a tree in 2008. They
also allowed the priming of
central and community nurseries, which will lead to Agriculture provides the livelihood of 80% of
the planting of 700,000 trees in 2009. With funds Ugandans but to be a peasant farmer is perceived
of $681,203 over three years, STF’s work for WILD to have failed. Farm Talk tries to show pupils that
will take pressure off biomass in Murchison Falls farming is integral to a prosperous future.
National Park and Mt Otzi, Zoka and Agoro Agu
Central Forest Reserves. Three years is the least a In 2008, with UGX 100 million from Danida’s
tree project should last. Agricultural Sector Programme Support project,
STF produced three issues of Farm Talk, trained 66
Farm Talk teachers and worked in 80 schools in the north to
Farm Talk supports the teaching and learning of establish model school gardens. Kubali PS in Yumbe
agriculture in primary school and aims to contribute raised 3000 cabbages with Farm Talk seed. Wrote
to better feeding for vulnerable pupils. Every school teacher W Pithus from Nebbi. “We have received
receives a sachet of vegetable seed with its Farm Talk seeds from Farm Talk since 2006. Our school has
bundle to inspire school gardening. become a living lab.”

TALK
Making agriculture rewarding and fun f o r pupils & teachers Vol. 9 No. April 2008
TALK
Making agriculture rewarding and fun f o r pupils & teachers Vol.9 No.2 June 2008
TALK
Making agriculture rewarding and fun f o r pupils & teachers Vol.9 No.3 October 2008

Farming and HIV/AIDS

Is your soil fertile? Do you have plenty of water for your animals? Do you have trees on your
Girls/women have the same rights as boys/men over the crops they grow. farm? Or is your environment tired and over-worked? Get more information from this issue.

Girls and boys need Farm carefully to help

equal voice in farming
Dear Farm Talkers, we
hope you applied onto your
home gardens all the
farming knowledge you
acquired last year. Feel free
to write to us about your
farming experiences during
the holidays.
In this issue, find out why it
is important for girls and
boys to be given equal
opportunities to take
decisions on farming. Also
find out what other Farm
Talkers say about the
topic. Find out what
teachers say about
decision making for boys
and girls.
Strong: most
women
work hard
for their
families in
farming.
the environment
Why both boys and
Farm Talkers! Did
girls need equal
you know that
chances
without natural
Equal decision and
resources like
participation helps both girls water and land
and boys to: life would be
• Discover their full abilities impossible for
to do things well
people?
• Benefit equally
• Share work without Today there is great threat
complaint to the environment. Due
• Learn to do same things
to human activity, land is
becoming poorer. Grass
without gender bias
and trees are disappearing
• Gain from work without fast, causing soil to erode.
cheating one another Water sources are drying
• Develop confidence in
up.
themselves
• Learn to respect one We all have to
another
farm for food
and income.
• Take on responsibilities But we need
without fear
to farm in a
way that
Do you have a
preserves
school garden?
natural
resources.
Do both boys and girls
participate equally in Read what Farm Talkers
making decisions in West Nile and Gulu are
Farming gives good food
Do you know that
farming and HIV are
related? Find out how
when there is HIV/AIDS
in your family, food
production can drop. So
you need to help your
farming can keep you
food. Chandiru, for family to grow enough
example, says she has safe and how it can help food."
taught her parents not to you solve HIV related
cut trees. problems. Nabwire Betty a teacher
from Bukumankola PS
Keeping trees in •Farming helps you to says:
give good nutrition to
our gardens people with HIV/AIDS. "Someone with HIV/AIDS
"Our climate is hot and we
may be too weak to work.
•Good food helps them to
suffer a long drought. We
have learnt to keep trees in
be healthier, live longer, This can lead to food
our gardens. We do not cut
resist infections. shortage.
them. Instead we plant
more of them. Teacher A pupil
who
Kitimbo
When we have to cut Lutuya comes
trees, we do so selectively. from from
This means that trees with Kaliro such a
good shade, leaves that CoU PS family
needs
says:
easily decompose
to work
Pupils of Bukumankola PS in Kaliro weed their maize in
their great school garden. Pupils, be active when your
and able to fix
nitrogen are left "Pupils, harder."
when clearing land teacher asks you to go to the garden. Good farming is the
gi rls
Key message for boys and
for farming. I road to wealth in Uganda.
learnt all this in
Get
ood.
• People with HIV need good f
school. I tell my
a family member has HIV.
prizes
• Harvests may go down when
Farming gives income
parents that we
in the family gardens so
• So, boys and girls, work hard
need not cut down
and dodo
t.
that the family has plenty to ea
every tree to give A maize garden at the foot of Agoro Agu
er. seed from • You get money to behaviours that can
• Learn how to be a great farm
way for farm land. This
hills in Kitgum. The farmer left a big tree
made my parents maintain
in the garden to conserve the Farm Talk! meet your needs, lead you into sex.
some trees in our garden."
environment. Good farming and a good instead of depending
on someone who • Farming can earn you

Farm Talkers at Kaliro CoU PS talk

about where to doing to protect the
may infect you with
Chandiru Rauda, P7, environment go hand in hand.
Pupils of St Catherine PS in Luwero with their money so that you
plant, what to plant,
environment and grow
HIV, such as a sugar
Omba PS, Yumbe.
teacher Peter kamya Semugabi in their can help your family

about farming and HIV

harvest, sell and mummy or boy lover. members who have
school garden. Girls and boys need equal
how to use the opportunity to make decisions on farming. HIV.
money? Boys, do not assume that girls are only good • Farming can keep
for working and not thinking. Do not burn your land I grow tomatoes you busy so you do • Be careful! Do not use

Women have good ideas and energy

and sweet potatoes so not go in for drinking money from farming
I get my own money alcohol or other risky to con girls!
When you instead of relying on boys or
Do we have food? Your
• makes soil alkaline. Lots
plant crops such as
Farm Talkers, Always advise your friends

In Uganda and most of Africa,
women work much harder and
for longer hours in agriculture
than men.
Women work 4 to 8 hours more
than men everyday. They grow
most of the food that feeds the
family. They also work hard in
commercial agriculture.
However, men make most of the
decisions about what to sell and
how to use the profits. This is a
serious problem.
Why women need more voice
•When women earn money, they
contribute almost all of it (94%) to
family use.
•It is the mother's income rather
than father's income that
Cabbage!s
mother is the one who makes
of ash harms plants. men. I buy my own body
Traditionally, many to avoid setting fires. greens, okra, dodo and creams and handkerchiefs.
determines if children eat well and
for sale
sure you eat everyday. beans, the person with
have good nutrition.
people burn bushes When a man gives you money,
HIV will eat a balanced
• reduces organic matter
•When men control the family
to clear land to Alternatives he may ask you for sex!
diet. Shipuya
and make soil poor; soil
Kiza Lydia, 14
income, they often spend it on
farm. erosion increases • Slash and let grass root Lasmir, 13
unproductive uses such as alcohol. because there is less instead of burning
This is one reason why many Some boys simply organic matter to hold
families are poor. burn them for fun. the soil together. • Avoid heaping grass Boys who
outside the garden to waste time instead
Stop this! Bush • increases carbon dioxide prevent fires from of digging end up with
As a young person you can burning: in the air. A lot of this spreading bad friends. They start
change this culture. Boys, • destroys vegetation that gas is changing the going for discos where
start by helping your mother could be green manure weather all over the • Spot hoe. This means they get girls who are
and respecting views of girls world, making it drier and digging a hole only where also loitering. They end
and women. Girls, start by • makes the soil drier shifting planting seasons you want to plant crops up having sex. These girls
learning to make strong and yields. like bananas and could have HIV.
• kills earthworms and Wandera
decisions. Read this Farm
pineapples.
other living things Emanuel,
• can spread and destroy
This reduces the need to
Talk to know more. necessary for healthy soil gardens. burn an entire field. 14

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I15I

STF conceptual thinking
In 2007 STF expressed its model as a rainbow (see back cover). This year STF is also using the metaphor of rivers and water.
STF has three streams of communication, which create a river from which young people and adults in all life stages and states
can take what they need. After being used -- generating conversation and action -- this “water” evaporates and returns as
rain. Like the water cycle, this cycle of communication for social change constantly renews itself.

I16I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

radio

A young warrior clasps his

wind-up-solar radio, one of
over 5000 distributed by STF in
2008.

STF’s Nga’karimojong youth

show affirms Karimojong
culture, while at the same
time destigmatising education
and talking openly but
appropriately about sexuality.

In addition, the show gives

youth a chance to hear the
voices of young people from
other Karamoja sub-groups,
which may be in armed
conflict with their own.

“I have learnt about education

as the tool to success,” said
Kodath, 19 year old male from
Moroto. “So I am making sure
I do not waste time when I am
at school so that I can get to
where I want in future.”

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I17I

S
TF began work in radio in 1999. The
aim was to use radio to reinforce the
“conversations” of Young Talk and Straight
Talk newspapers. The first Straight Talk radio
show was in English.

Once STF gained competence in radio, it

moved rapidly into broadcasting in Ugandan
languages. Lwo, the language of the north, then
in the midst of conflict, was the first.

As new languages were added year by year,

radio became far more than a reinforcement
for those already receiving STF papers. For
adolescents who do not speak English, STF
radio shows are their main and often only
source of correct knowledge on HIV, growing
up and staying safe.
By mid 2008 STF was working in English and
13 of the largest of Uganda’s 36 indigenous
languages. This was one more than in 2007.
The extra language was acquired by splitting
the “4Rs” language, which is spoken in 16
districts in Western Uganda, into two sub-
language groups: Runyankole-Rukiga and
Rutooro-Runyoro.
Radio is now a far larger work stream than
print at STF, though both are indispensable.
Excluding salaries, in 2008 STF spent about
$849,537 or 26% of its total budget on radio.
Of this, over 80% went on buying airtime on the
forty radio stations it needs to reach the entire
country. All in all, in 2008, STF broadcast 4160
half hour radio shows for youth and parents.
Radio for youth
Linguistically, STF covers about 85% of
Uganda’s population with its youth radio shows.
By the end of 2008 only the smaller though still
substantial groups such as the Madi, Alur and
Japadhola remained uncatered for.
In 2008 STF’s team of 14 youth journalists
conceptualised, conducted field interviews
and wrote the scripts for a total of 728 half
hour youth radio shows. Each show was then
voiced by the same journalist in STF’s studios in
Kampala.
Because FM stations have limited reach, each
show is broadcast on several radio stations
- ranging from 14 stations for the English show
to six for Runyankole-Rukiga to two for smaller
languages such as Lusamia. Thus in 2008 STF
aired 57 Straight Talk shows a week for a total
of 2964 youth shows.
Radio for adults
Since 2005 STF has produced radio shows
for adults, particularly parents. Parents are
Gender: STF made strenuous efforts in 2008 to
generate radio content relevant to girls. Most topics
were handled twice: once from a girl perspective
and once from the perspective of boy. Gender blind
content runs the risk of helping neither gender.
“super-protectors”: parental presence and the quality of
the parental relationship are critical to adolescents staying
safe. Called Parent Talk, these shows do more than just
address parenting. They also focus on the sexual and
emotional lives of parents, including adults living with HIV.
Language Launch B/casts
Radio shows for adolescents/youth
English Straight Talk 1999 14
Lwo: Lok atyer kamaleng 2000 5
Runyankore/Rukiga: Tusheeshuure 2001 6
Ateso: Einer Eitena 2002 3
Lugbara: Eyo eceza tra ri 2003 2
Lusamia: Embaha Ngololofu 2003 2
Lumasaba: Khukanikha Lubuula 2004 2
Luganda: Twogere Kaati 2004 5
Lukonzo: Erikania Okwenene 2004 2
Lusoga: Twogere Lwattu 2005 3
Kupsabiny: Ngalatep Maanta 2005 3
Karimojong: Erwor Ngolo Ediiriana 2006 4
Lufumbira: Tuvuge Rwatu 2007 2
Runyoro/Rutooro: Baza busimba 2008 4
Sub-total/wk 14 shows 57/wk
Radio shows for parents
4Rs: Eriaka Ryomuzaire 2005 5
Lugbara: Nzeta Tipikaniri 2005 3
Lukonzo: Omukania owa’ babuthi 2005 2
Lusamia: Embaha ya bebusi 2005 2
Lumasaba: Inganikha iyi basaali 2006 2
Luganda: Eddobozi lya muzadde 2006 2
Lwo: Lok pa Lanyodo 2006 4
Ateso: Einer Aurian 2007 2
Karimojong: Erwor Angi Kaureak 2008 3
Sub-total/wk 9 shows 23
TOTAL 23 shows 80/wk

I18I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

This is vital as 75% of new HIV infections in Uganda
are now occurring among adults aged 25 plus, the
vast majority of whom are married or co-habiting.
In 2008 STF introduced a new radio show for
parents in Nga’karimojong, bringing to nine the
number of shows STF produces for adults. All are in
indigenous languages as less than 15% of adults are
comfortable with English.
Each Parent Talk show is also
broadcast on multiple stations.
Thus in 2008 STF aired 23
Parent Talk shows a week for a
total of 1196 half hour shows.
Radio as interpersonal
STF radio journalists make
four trips a year to the field,
collecting material for 13
shows each trip. In 2008 the
youth journalists visited 79 out
of Uganda’s 80 districts.
Communication theory
distinguishes between mass
media and interpersonal
communication. However,
there is a large interpersonal
element to STF radio work. In
2008, STF’s youth journalists
reached 2500 youth in one-
on-one interviews and almost Parent Talk
25,000 in FGDs. The nine Parent Talk listeners in
journalists also reached hundreds of Katakwi: The show
promotes couple
adults. Meaningful radio cannot be
dialogue but STF is still
done without extensive face-to-face. struggling with how to
address polygyny.
With only four trips to the field per
year, STF’s radio team may appear
to be cut off from listeners. In reality, they are
touch by letters and phone. “It’s a daily contact,”
says Radio Director Annette Kyosimiire: “They
know what’s happening because of the letters.
Adolescents write and say, ‘Last time you were here,
you gave us seeds. Now it’s raining and we have
planted.’”
“I get called by counsellors,” says
Charity Cheptoris, STF radio
journalist for Sabiny youth. “They
might say that the girls are getting
married, and we are having problems
in the hospitals. Please talk about it.
Once a nurse called me to say that
they have mobile VCT but people fear
to come for counselling. She asked me
to announce it on radio and tell them
to feel free.”
Quality and listenership
How many listeners write in is a measure of a
show’s following. After a disappointing year in
2007, where STF received 14,000 letters down from
24,000 in 2006 and 29,000 in 2005, STF replaced
the journalists who had produced the shows for
years. The turn around was instant. With the shows
once more sounding real, 27,700 letters flooded in.
A second measure of listenership is field data. In
2008 STF reviewed its 2006-10 Strategic Plan.
This qualitative evaluation shed light on what
communities thought of the
youth and parent shows in
Kasese, Bugiri and Kitgum
districts. Responses were
deeply positive with radio
the most mentioned STF
intervention.
Young people could list
lessons they had learnt and
repeatedly praised shows for
five features: being “straight”,
interactive, comprehensive,
youth-specific, and in the local
language.
“The radio show has done a
lot of guidance for us young
people,” said a girl in Bugiri.
“All your questions are
answered. You feel relieved.”
“I get my information from the
Straight Talk show every Sunday at 6:30
pm on Radio Messiah,” said a boy from
Kasese. “With my friends, we talk about
it. I try to do what I hear. For instance,
if I must meet a girl, I use a condom.”
Adults also appreciated the shows. Said
a local council chairman in Kasese: “I know STF has
two shows on Sunday. I am a parent so I listen to the
parent one, although I also sometimes listen to the
one for young people. I find all of them useful.”
For some adults, Parent Talk has been a revelation.
Said one father: “I have learnt that
women are not supposed to be forced
into sex, that sex takes the consent of
two people and that if she says no, I
should respect her feelings.”
Quantitative data on listenership
collected in 2009 showed that over
70% of parents listened to Parent Talk
in Sironko and Mbale and over 70%
of Karimojong adolescents had heard
their youth show. This is similar to the
Population Council survey (2005-6),
which found that 83% of adolescents in Apac, 86% in
Arua, 84% in Ntungamo and 83% in Soroti had ever
listened to their local language show.
STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I19I
When radio is also face-to-face

I
n 2008 STF’s youth radio
journalists demonstrated
condom use on every
trip upcountry, reaching about
15,000 youth. Only about 30%
of sexually-active 15-19 year
olds used a condom at first
sex (UHSBS, 2004-5). Seeing a
condom demonstration is the
best indicator of knowledge of
correct condom use (National
Adolescent Survey, 2006).
Hardened to embarrassment,
STF radio journalists slip
condom demos into Q&A
sessions. Says Paula
Amaniyo, the Lugbara
youth radio journalist: “When
they ask something like ‘are
condoms 100% safe?’, you invite
a volunteer from their side to
demonstrate. They always accept.
You keep observing what they are
doing and correct them if necessary.
Yumbe SS was the only school that
ever refused me to do it. They said
the Moslem religion did not allow
it.”
Adds Paula: “Students get excited
when they see the dildo. Some
boys put it in the front of their
pants to demonstrate. Girls are
shy to demonstrate but always
listen. They believe that it is a
man to put on the condom, not
them to put it on their partner.”
In line with Ministry of
Education guidance, STF
never distributes condoms in
schools, though students ask
for them. Even before the MoES
formulated guidelines, STF had
reasons not to.
For one, students can
be expelled for romantic
A listener demonstrates how to relationships.
use a condom in a radio focus group
discussion. Below: Paula Amaniyo. Paula feels STF’s restraint is
right: “It’s not good for us to
give out condoms. People will
think we are the ones making them
have sex. We refer students to shops,
clinics and the family planning
association. After listening to us,
those who need go and get.”
But the balance is delicate. Many
students do not make that trip for
condoms and have unprotected sex.

Counselling is part of radio duties: Zaituni Nabateregga,

STF’s Luganda Parent Talk radio journalist, in Masaka with a
family of orphans headed by the 16 year-old-girl on the left.

I20I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

 Six months later, STF’s M&E team traversed the area
to determine how the “blue radios” were being used
and the impact of STF conversations. It found far
greater exposure to radio than before. Many people
were listening in groups, as STF had advised.

“We always bring the radio to the tree to listen to

STF shows,” said a boy, 16. “We get it from the
leader of the manyatta. After we listen, we take it
back.” But some, particularly males, admitted to
taking it for themselves. “We use it when we take
the cows for grazing because it is very lonely,” said
a boy, 17.

STF radio shows and news were the most listened

to programs. “I learn news, like vehicles being
ambushed,” explained a girl, 15. “From educative
programs, I get to know that it is time to go back to
school.”
Working in hard places: STF journalist
for the Nga’karimojong youth show, Anna-
Indeed, the biggest impact seems to have been
Mary Lokwii, interviews a child.
improved attitudes towards education. Traditionally
an educated Karimojong is seen as de-
culturalised. Education is said to turn girls
into prostitutes.

“I did not go to school,” said a young woman,

20. “But I have learnt that I will take my
children to school. This is because there
are many benefits like they tell us on that
show. This is the most important thing I have
learnt.”

In 2009 STF will expand its work in Karamoja,

Hard to reach: Karamoja
STF’s most spectacular radio effort in 2008
took place in arid Karamoja, where traditional
cattleraiding has evolved into armed conflict. In
Field visits/work by STF radio staff in 2008
2008 security was better but over 700,000 out of
Karamoja’s 1.1 million inhabitants needed food aid.
STF started its Nga’karimojong Straight Talk show in
late 2006. Further funds from Unicef allowed STF to
set up an office in Moroto and launch Parent Talk in
Nga’karimojong in 2008.
Radio ownership in Karamoja is low: less than 30%
of adults listen at least once a week compared to
87% nationally (DHS, 2006). So STF also distributed
5139 windup-solar radios to schools (353),
health units (97), literacy groups (373), non-
formal education groups (292) and “manyattas”,
the fortified homesteads (3721). Every manyatta
received two radios - one for males and one for
females.
The radio had to be demonstrated and signed for. It
took four teams three weeks in October 2008, often
moving with army escorts, to deliver them all.
adding weekly radio shows in Pokot and
Lepthur, languages spoken by Karamoja sub-
groups.
Language Districts Villages IDIs FGDs
visited visited
Lukonzo 2 40 208 1412
Ngakarimojong 5 30 156 5139
Luganda 11 40 156 1288
Runyankole-Rukiga 9 40 162 1470
Lusoga 6 40 199 2089
Urufumbira 2 40 156 1043
Ateso 7 42 166 1218
Lugbara 5 63 160 1915
Lumasaba 4 40 192 3689
Lusamia 2 48 224 1006
Kupsabiny 2 40 156 510
Luo 8 40 208 1272
English 11 40 208 880
Runyoro-Rutoro 5 40 198 1305
TOTAL:
14 languages 79 609 2549 24,238

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I21I

Youth radio journalist: how do you get the courage to talk?

W
ilberforce Musimana,
24, joined STF in
January 2008. At
the time he spotted the STF
advertisement for a Lusamia
journalist, he was working
on construction sites to put
himself through business
school at night. Like many
rural youth, it had taken him
many years to complete high
school.

“I went to five different high

schools, I would study, the
bill would accumulate and
then I would have to leave.
Sometimes I would attend
for just three weeks in a
term but I would always get
notes and learn.”

He never knew his father

and grew up with his
grandparents. His mother
remarried and now lives in Wilberforce used a computer. Everything was hard.
Kenya: the Basamia people inhabit both interviews a “You get these interviews, then have to
sides of the border. school girl in come in with narrations, so you have to
Bugiri: There is a do research. Like if I am talking about
Wilberforce knew STF papers as a child. synergy between menstruation - what are the main
print and radio. Areas issues I put forward?”
“In primary school, they would bring
with local language
us Young Talk. Of course, they were few ST shows have higher
and we would share. I started reading readership of the Interviews were easier: “A person tells
the papers for fun but as I went on I English STF papers. you part of their life, and you advise
saw they were educative.” them. I tell them what I went through,
that you can make it if you use every chance that
Wilberforce’s background of resilience and comes.”
hardship makes him perfect as an STF youth
journalist. Small, slight and not yet married or a Like all STF radio journalists, WIlberforce is a
father, no youth would perceive him as an older well-known figure at home. “People in the villages
person talking down to them. know me. My friends are so proud. They say ‘Hey
man, how do you get courage to talk about those
In primary school, Wilberforce witnessed a scene things?’ You know, when we were growing up, we
that made him want to work for young people. “It were not meant to talk about sex.”
never went out of my head,” he says. “A girl had
stained herself. Pupils were shouting ‘you have Wilberforce has 47 listener clubs. “We normally
blood on your dress’, like it was a dirty thing. give them seeds and sometimes piglets, “ he says.
The girl almost collapsed. It seems it was her first “These cause collective efforts so that when they
time.” come together they can share.”

Christmas parties in the village also made him
uneasy. “I saw things that were not right. A girl
goes there very innocent and young. The boys
make her drink and then use her up. When she
goes back to school in January, she is pregnant.”
When WIlberforce started at STF, he had never
He received 1781 letters in 2008 and is on course
to get his required minimum of 3000 in 2009.
“Radio is a good way to reach people.” he says.
“The STF papers are in English. But when you talk
on air, you get a chance to explain in your mother
tongue what they do not know.”

I22I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

Straight Talk youth radio shows

STF broadcasts for youth

and adolescents in 14
languages. All of Uganda
receives the English Straight
Talk radio show. Thirteen
Trend in the ratio of male to female writers 2005-2008 groups receive broadcasts in
GENDER 4 their languages.
STF youth shows used to receive 3 to
3.8

3.5
4 letters from boys for every one letter Alur, Madi, Kakwa and
3.4

from a girl. But in 2008, the shows

3
2.7 Japadhola-speakers had no
had increasingly girl-focused content, STF show in their language
Ratio

2.5 R atio

and boys and girls contributed almost 2

(white areas). The red circles
equally to six out of 14 shows. Only to 1.5
1.6
show some of the 40 radio
the Lwo and Lugbara shows are over 1 stations STF used to air its
70% of letters still from boys. 2005 2006 2007 2008
shows in 2008.
Letters recieved by language-2008

4403
ST youth radio shows 4500
received 27,700 letters in
2008 up from 14,504 in 4000
2007.
3500

Despite the conflict and 3000 2676 2657

greater poverty in the 2309
2500 2175
North, the Lwo show
No. of letters
brought in the greatest 1896 18201754
2000 1577
number, followed by the 1447
1254
English show and the two 1500
1030
shows for 4Rs- speakers in 833 810
1000
western Uganda.
500
Per capita the Lukhonzo
show attracted the most 0
letters, with one in every
g
h

so
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ga

ara
a

a
ba
zo

on
iny
glis

ba
Lw

mi
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bir

67th Mukonzo youth

nd
Ate

so
on

sa

K'j
uu

gb
sa
zim

ab
fum

ga
En

Lu
ma
kh
sh

Lu

Lu

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writing in.
Lu
Bu

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Lu

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sh

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Tu

Ba

Language

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I23I

 Topics of the 52 Straight Talk youth radio shows 2008
1. Staying safe 27. Sexual discrimination record eight topics originating
2. Alcohol and relationships 28. Bride price - boys and girls with the community; five on topics
3. Sugar mummies/daddies 29. PEP decided in Kampala and based on
4. Responsible living 30. Menstruation the national drivers of HIV; and three
5. Working as adolescents 31. Technical Education doctor shows. Thus, for example, the
6. Using condoms 32. Quiz round up
Lufumbira journalist produced two
7. Domestic violence/alcohol 33. Sex at first sight
8. Staying in school special shows on
34. Sex for adventure (boys)
10. Sex for something 35. Sex for adventure (girls) child prostitution
11. HIV prevention 36. Sex for revenge in Kisoro and
12. Behaviour change 37. Sex without love the Batwa pygmy
13. Early pregnancy 38. Bride price (girl’s view) community.
14. Fighting poverty 39. Bride price (boy’s view)
15. Casual sex 40. Bride price & violence Lumasaba
16. Sex for marriage 41. New year’s resolutions journalist, Peter
17. Sex and poverty 42. Virginity (boys) Matanda,
18. Extra marital sex. 43. Christmas show produced
19. Alcohol and relationships 44-52. Doctor/counselor shows
two shows on
20. Gender and culture
There is some variation traditional male
21. VCT
22. Gender equality between language streams circumcision,
23. Quiz review as communities themselves an event usually
24. Polygamy suggest topics, and the shows accompanied by risky merrymaking:
25. Stigma are audience-led. On every the young male must test his
26. Disability and violence trip upcountry, the journalists unhealed penis by having sex.

Bust and boom: letters rebound in 2008

A
ll communication no longer fully identified, and
projects need an in-built lost the passion for listener
feedback mechanism. dedications. Listeners who wrote
Letters are the best gauge would receive a reply often after
of whether a communication months or sometimes not at all. by name and answers three
activity still hits the mark. listener questions. Letters
Letters to radio had been In 2008 STF brought in new increased for all shows,
declining since 2005. journalists for its youth radio even those still run by older
shows in English, Lwo, Ateso, journalists. The target for
Longstanding journalists were Lugbara, Lumasaba, Luganda 2009 is 40,000, derived
getting older and had begun and Kupsabiny. It insisted that from the number that STF
to sound like health workers. every letter be answered within would receive if all listeners
They had disengaged from the month. Every show now responded as much as
the listeners, with whom they dedicates songs to 12 listeners Bakhonzo youth do.

Com parison of letters to ST Youth Radio show s 2005-2008

8000

7000
Y r 2005
6000 Y r 2006
No. of letters

5000 Y r 2007
4000 Y r 2008

3000

2000

10 0 0

0
s

g
sh
o

ga
a
a
4R

ba
o

a
on
y
Lw

es

mi

nd
ar
nz

bir
in
gli

so
sa

K'j
gb
At

sa

ab
ga
ho

m
En

Lu
ma
Lu

Lu

ufu
ps
Lu
k
Lu

Lu

Ku

Ur

Language

I24I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

Bottling Biira: making radio ”thick” with meaning
STF youth journalist Wilberforce
Musimana (see p.21) was like a
time bomb. He ticked along then
suddenly exploded, seizing the
power of personal narrative.

Listeners can distinguish great from

OK. The challenge is to convey to
the “just OK” journalists what STF
seeks. And can it be taught? Or is
it instinctive or personality? Peter
Matanda, STF’s new Lumasaba
journalist, was great from the start,
doubling the letters from his area
in 2008. If STF could “bottle” what
journalist Biira Gedi does, STF’s
youth shows would receive 60,000
letters a year.

Great radio is thick with images and

Warmth: Biira Gedi, STF’s
Lukhonzo journalist with a
mother in Kasese.
insights. The personal stories are
lived - not correct versions that the
interviewee thinks the journalist
wants. It embraces complexity. It
is not bland. Listeners think “that
could be me!” and “I was wondering
about that!” It contains inspiration.

S
TF radio shows are not of equal quality. Some
are “great”, others “OK”. STF mentors the
journalists who produce the “OK” shows; a
journalist who is capable of “great” coaches them.
Sometimes the issue is attitude: they look down on
the people they interview. This can be corrected,
and most OK journalists click with time.
Great radio journalists reflect intelligently on what
the interviewee said and ask the question the
listener would ask if she or he were there.
All these are cardinal rules of good journalism.
Communication for social change adds another one:
involve the audience.

Topics of the 52 Parent Talk radio shows 2008

P
arent Talk is funded from three 14. Personal hygiene
sources: Civil Society Fund, PSI 15. Gender and agriculture
and UNITY, a USAID education 16. Diarrhorea in positive people
project. So there is some variation 18. Couple communication
between the language streams. 19. Domestic violence
The following is a composite list of 20. Defilement
21. Disclosure
topics.
22. Early marriage
23. Meeting children’s needs
1. Breastfeeding in mothers with HIV
24. Extramarital relationships -
2. Men and pregnancy
men’s perception 35. Child abuse
3. Male family involvement
25. Extramarital relationships- 36. Christmas highlights
4. Parent-child talk
women’s perception 37. New year’s resolutions
5. Discordance
26. Work and marriage 38. HIV and nutrition
6. Immunization
27. Brideprice 39. VCT
7. Girls’ education
28. Women’s rights 40. Caring for people with HIV
8. Protecting children from abuse
29. Parental responsibilities 42. Family planning
9. Identifying children’s talents
30. HIV and family planning 43. Alcohol
10. Handling children with disability
31. HIV and violence. 44. Taking children to school and
11. Faithfulness in marriage (men)
32. Children’s rights retention
12. Faithfulness in marriage
33. Partner communication 45. STDS: Gonorrhoea
(women)
34. Polygamy 46.-52. Quizzes
13. Extramarital relationships

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I25I

 Crowd sourcing: the wisdom of many
S
TF’s youth shows run “Quizzes” on
dilemmas that young people face.
Listeners send in answers that are
read on air. The apparent motivation for
listeners who write in is that they may
win prizes such as hoes, buckets, seeds
and exercise books.
But STF’s motivation in posing the
quiz questions is to get listeners to sit
quietly pen in hand and reflect on a
difficult life issue that they too could
encounter. Says Radio Director
Annette Kyosimiire: “For us, it is a way
of provoking them to identify what they
would do if they were caught in such a
scenario. These quizzes give them an
exercise in thinking about their lives.”
Quizzes in 2008 included:
Q1: A girl with HIV loves a boy who
promises to marry her. Her mother tells
her not to tell him that she has HIV. She
wants to tell the boy but fears he may
end the relationship. To this, a listener
wrote: “It would be merciful if the girl
told the boy that she has HIV so the boy
can make his choice. A counselor can
give them advice on how to marry or
separate kindly.”
Q2: A young woman is anguished:
Radio partnerships in 2008
Basic Care - PSI/CDC: Parent Talk shows in
Luganda, Lumasaba, 4Rs and Lwo on positive living,
adult relationships and sexuality. Eight spots in
eight languages on 32 stations on palliative care
(e.g. making a will, managing a patient in pain).
Unity - MOES/USAID: Parent Talk shows on
education, parenting, HIV and adult sexuality in
Ateso, Lwo, 4Rs, Luganda and Lugbara.
Rock Point 256 - USAID: Youth soap opera
recorded in Luo and Ateso and post-produced in
Luganda, Luo and Ateso: 152 half-hour episodes.
Crane survey - CDC: Translated/recorded lengthy
research questionnaire in English/
Luganda.
Limelight Ltd - Road safety: Eight
spots in English/Luganda.
ACS - Unicef: Eight spots in
Lepthur, Pokot and Nga’karimojong
on accelerated child survival (e.g.
immunisation, diarrhoea). Spots aired
on three stations for two months;
also live talks shows.
I26I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
“My husband hits me every night. I
have nowhere to go. My father drank
the brideprice. My brothers will not
house me. Should I remarry? Become
a prostitute? How will my children
grow up?” To this, a listener wrote:
“She should not leave her children. She
should go to the women lawyers for
help. Imagine leaving your kids with a
step mother who will mistreat them like
orphans.”
Radio Q3: The girl is in secondary school. A
director: In man who employs her mother says he
office (above) will sack her if the girl refuses to have
and in the sex with him. Her mother’s job pays her
field in a school fees. To this, a listener wrote:
real crowd ”This girl should avoid offers from this
(below).
man since they can make her give in to
him.”
HIPS - USAID: Produced 13 half-hour shows
for the Good Life at Work Campaign in Lugwere,
Runyoro-Rutooro and Luganda on TB, malaria, FP,
HIV.
SPRING - USAID: Supported live and pre-recorded
radio shows in Acholi and Langi on post-conflict
topics. Produced 12 one-minute spots.
ALREP - FAO: Five live talk shows, five pre-
recorded shows and five spots in Langi and Acholi
on reconstruction of agricultural livelihoods in
northern Uganda.
MDG3 - Danida & Grameen AppLab- (see p35)
Some
radio team
members
2008:
Because of
travel, the
whole team
is rarely in
the office
together.
face2face

OTD’s Godfrey
People reached by STF face-to-face work in 2008
Walakira joined STF
when he was 18, one In primary schools
of a cohort of bright • Teachers sensitised 982
and determined • Pupils trained as peer educators 250
adolescents that In secondary schools (and some tertiary)
STF took in 2000-1. • Teachers sensitised 85
STF invested heavily • Students trained as peer educators 239
in mentoring and • Girls (PSI: Cross-gen, Go-getters) 184
• Students reached by int’l volunteers 26,130
training these youth. • Students reached thru “on call” visits 11,542
Godfrey has repaid • Girl scholarship beneficiaries (Mvule) 205
this by growing into
In the community
an extraordinarily • District advocacy meetings (adults) 143
talented trainer. • Village fairs (youth and adults) 13,874
• Workplace sensitisations (HIPS) 1834
Such young people are • Parent dialogues 171
often poached from • Parent dialogues (Mvule) 521
STF to projects with Sub-total 58,245
much higher salaries. Gulu Youth Centre 86,173
This is a grave Kitgum Youth Centre 37,275
challenge faced by
indigenous NGOs. Total 181,693

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I27I

F
ace-to-face work were secondary school students,
with adolescents, 1005 primary and secondary school
parents and teachers teachers, and 16,000 out-of-school
is the third prong of STF’s youth and adults. The cost was about
behaviour change strategy. $4 per person directly reached.
It has a history. Once
headteachers saw Straight Individuals were reached with different
Talk newspaper in 1993, “packages”, e.g., primary teachers
they wanted the people received two day trainings while
behind it to visit their parents reached in village fairs were
school. With health workers, exposed to several hours of “talk”
the editors would answer -- testimonies from people with HIV,
students’ questions. In question and answer sessions with
1998 STF recruited staff to local nurses and drama by out-of -
work full-time to satisfy the school STF clubs.
desperate need in schools
for HIV and sex education. However, the common denominator of
all face-to-face work is a commitment
A woman
Today the need is just as to prevent HIV/AIDS by situating it in
teacher speaks
great, and STF has eight full-time the context of relationships and sexuality. STF uses
up at a primary
Kampala-based staff and teams a sexual health promotion, not disease prevention,
school teacher
in Gulu and Kitgum devoted to approach.
sensitisation: Just
“face time” with young people and
39% of primary
important people in their lives. In 2008 the OTD team worked in over 800 schools.
school teachers are
The literature on HIV prevention distinguishes
female.
In 2008, STF estimates, these between curriculum-based school interventions and
face-to-face communicators, non-curriculum-based ones, such as spontaneous
including those from the northern youth centres question and answer sessions, stories about HIV at
(see p31-33), reached about 180,000 people, a school assemblies, and opportunistic counselling.
sharp increase over 2007. Increased funding allowed (WHO/UNAIDS/Unicef. 2006. Preventing HIV/AIDS
more people to be reached, but STF also performed in young people: a systematic review of evidence from
better on capturing the data on those reached. developing countries)

In 2008 STF spent about $550,00 (UGX 1 billion) on
face-to-face work, abut 16% of its total spend. This
works out at about $3 per person reached directly
by an STF trainer, fieldworker or counsellor.
Outreach and training
In 2008 the Kampala outreach and training
department (OTD) had a budget of $237,000
(UGX 450 million). It reached about 58,000 people
through teacher sensitisations, school visits and
community work. This was almost double the
estimated 28,245 reached in 2007. If youth reached
by peer educators are counted, the figures rises by a
further 60,000.
Of those reached by OTD in 2008, about 39,000
Curriculum-based efforts are thought to be more
effective, but non-curriculum-based interventions
can also have great impact if the implementers
are skilled and sensitive. STF does both. Its largest
non-curriculum-based efforts in school are visits by
international students and the “on-call” scheme.
School visits
In 2008, led by STF club mobiliser Moses Ssebbale,
students from Birmingham and Munich universities
reached about 26,000 secondary students in 45
schools in Tororo, Busia and Bugiri with skits,
condom demos and discussions in boy/girl groups.
STF reached a further 11,500 students after being
summoned to schools. “On call” visits are often

Primary school teacher sensitisations 2001-2008

Year Teachers Schools Districts
2201/3 6971 2588 Lira, Neb, Arua, Palissa, Gulu, Rukungiri, Kamuli, Kalangala, Apac
2004 2840 920 Hoima, Luwero, Masaka, Mukono, Soroti
2005 4144 2000 Hoima, Soroti, Kabarole, Mbale, Kumi, Apac, Mukono, Kiboga
2006 3814 1907 Hoima, Soroti, Kabarole, Mbale, Kumi, Apac, Mukono, Kiboga
2007 1328 476 Mayuge, Kitgum, Yumbe, Moyo
2008 982 476 Katakwi, Amuria, Kabarole, Arua, Karamoja, Pader

TOTAL 18,765 8367

I28I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

triggered by ASRH calamities such as Peer
abortions or drug use. Says Ssebbale: “A education
headteacher might say ‘My two best students training at
Onduporaka
have just dropped out due to pregnancy.
PS, Arua:
Please help me out. Talk to the boys, talk Pupils act out a
to the girls’. Sometimes they call us to help role play.
start a club that can solve such issues.”
Though lacking a set curriculum, these efforts
contain a “minimum package” of talk on delaying/
stopping sex, condom use, VCT, body changes and
handling life pressures. “Just answering
questions does not help everyone because
there are always people who are too shy to
ask,” says Ssebbale.
Headteachers are profoundly grateful.
After one on-call visit, a headmaster said:
“STF. when you visit our schools, you cure
many of our worries and make us settle
down to read.”
Primary school sensitisations
In 2008 STF also carried out curriculum-based work,
such as primary teacher sensitisations. Since 2000
STF has helped almost 20,000 primary teachers
from 8000 schools to help adolescents and to
know more about their own sexual health. These
sensitisations help to sustain PIASCY, the vital but
flagging MoES HIV and sex education programme.
Notes an STF report on the sensitisation in
Kaberamaido: “The knowledge acquired was
reflected in the post-test. On the pre-test most
participants could not say what gender roles are or
how to support a young girl with menstrual pains.”
A teacher from Otuboi PS said: “STF touched not
only the pupils’ lives but also helped us to reflect
on how to lead healthy married life.” Another said:
“I like the way you facilitate on how gender
roles bring HIV infection in a relationship.
Culture has made us believe that females are
inferior.”
STF’s primary school teacher curriculum
clearly has impact. But with just one teacher
for every 53 pupils and 30% of teachers
absent on any one day, schools struggle to impart
numeracy, let alone HIV and sex education. Thus,
in 2008, STF decided to also train pupils as peer
educators.
“The teachers get so busy that we
thought to bring the children on board,”
explained OTD’s Peter Mubala. “We
wanted a stronger multiplier effect.”
STF was leery of the term “peer educator”,
often used for lightly-trained youth
who “do something” with other youth.
So in July 2008, 35 STF staff underwent
training by Kenya’s National Organisation
of Peer Educators. STF then embarked on a project
under which teachers receive the same sensitisation
as before but six learners per school undergo a
three day peer education training, “focused on life
skills, body changes, HIV, sexuality, and values and
goals,” according to Mubala.
The results were encouraging. Backed by busy
but supportive teachers, the pupils undertook a
plethora of activities. Mubala says: “It is amazing
what they are able to do -- talk at assemblies,
give HIV messages during breaks in sport, even do
private counselling of other pupils”. At Bondo Army
School in Arua, STF researchers found that the peer
educators had “reduced on the PIASCY teacher’s
work. They hold health talks which would have been
held by the PIASCY teacher.”
STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I29I
“If I had to choose between between older men and young
this and a straight teacher females, sex where one partner is
training, I’d choose the peer aged ten or more years older than
education model because it the other is a bridge over which
encourages dialogue in the HIV passes from one generation
school,” says M&E manager to the next. Under the project
Patrick Walugembe, who STF has trained 579 girl peer
evaluated the pilot in 2009. educators, who have reached an
estimated 50,000 other young
In total, STF trained 250 people.
primary school pupil peer
educators and 142 teachers STF also ran three PSI Go-
from 45 schools in Arua and getters camps for girls in tertiary
Moroto and 239 secondary education. Many girls at university
school peer educators get ensnared with older partners.
and 85 teachers from 49 These high profile camps were
schools in Kampala and opened by Her Royal Highness,
Kaberamaido. No model The Nabagereka of Buganda,
is failproof, however. Peer and closed by the speaker of
educators are “demoralised parliament, Rebecca Kadaga.
when they see their peers
involved in risky behaviours Mvule Trust sponsors 1828
they have addressed in students in secondary school and
school,” reports Walugembe. on professional courses such as
Above: The final day of the Go
“They are ever reporting forestry and nursing: 75% are
Getter camp: a young woman walks
on friends who have failed to up to make a presentation on cross female. Mostly from families
follow what they teach.” generational sex. where girls’ education is little
valued, these girls need constant
Special for girls Below: to talk and be listened to: support to stay in school and
Girls need extra attention if A girl in West Nile talks to STF counsellor avoid pregnancy.
they are to stay safe. So in Adrine Kanyesigye, who listens intently.
2008 STF worked intensively STF counselors moved with the
with Population Services International and sister Mvule team to Teso and West Nile to talk face-
NGO Mvule Trust STF to challenge the thinking to-face with the girls, many of whom are under
of about 1000 girls. PSI supported STF to work in pressure to marry to bring brideprice to their
Mukono, Wakiso, Luwero, Mpigi and Masaka districts families. It also facilitated a science camp for 120 of
to reduce cross-generational sex. Most common the best Mvule science students.

I30I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

 STF’s Falal
Work in communities Rubanga with about Straight Talk and never dreamt that one
As a precursor to face-to-face work young fishermen day I would be sitting with these people who
in districts, STF carried out advocacy in Lugala village, talk about healthy sex. Straight Talk makes
Bugiri: ready cash it easy to understand what our parents
meetings in Pader, Kaberamaido and
from fishing puts
Moroto. These one-day workshops avoided to tell us.”
them at risk of HIV.
convene district officials, youth and
political leaders, and CBO/NGOs. Other work
In total STF worked with 143 opinionmakers STF trainers supported the HIPS-USAID
to raise the profile of ASRH. At the Kaberamaido project to reach 1834 workers on plantations and
meeting, a police officer gave data on defilement with Tullow Oil and the Kasese cobalt mine with
and complained that parents prefer to be information on TB, malaria, family planning and
compensated by the family of the boy rather than HIV/AIDS.
take the case to court.
In Kisoro, OTD reached 1281 young people face-to-
To reach out-of-school youth and parents, STF face. Funded by Cordaid, STF has ten clubs with 780
holds village fairs. These are grassroots events at members: four clubs are for in school youth, six for
which STF distributes local language Straight Talks the out-of-school. Kisoro is densely populated with
and facilitates local health units and CBOs to carry small landholdings. Men migrate to Kampala for
out VCT and hold dialogues on healthy sexuality. work. When they return, often after several years,
they want to resume sex with their wives, “although
In 2008 STF organised 24 fairs in the eight districts we are not sure that they are safe,” as one young
of Pader, Nebbi, Masaka, Pallisa, Kabarole, woman explained. Male club members said that they
Kabale, Kaberamaido and Kayunga. In would refuse to test for HIV with their wife
The STF
Pader, as an example, STF collaborated outreach and on return. “Only a prostitute could ask me
with GOAL, CESVI and Kalongo Hospital. training team: to do such a thing,” said one man. Face-
Costing a total of 30 million UGX, these M Ssebbale, A to-face discussion is the best way to help
fairs reached over 13,000 people at a Kanyesigye, J communities untangle such complexities.
cost of about $1.10 per person. In total Omach, F Rubanga,
1692 people underwent VCT: 175 were B Bainomugisha, P Finally, in 2008, OTD also worked with:
Mubala. G Walakira
found to have HIV. Most startling was • 171 parents in Moroto and Arua • 296
appears on p.27.
that 108 out of the 169 people parents as part of the
who tested in Masaka were “cross-gen” project • 32
positive: prevalence around staff from seven CBOs
Lake Victoria is many times on SGBV and teachers
the national rate of 6.4% . STF from seven primary
choses underserved areas for schools to set up Young
village fairs. Talk clubs in Pader. •
adolescents with hearing
In Anyara, Kaberamaido, the disabilities through
chief said: “I grew up hearing Uganda Deaf Link.

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I31I

Youth Centres
G
ulu Youth Centre (GYC) is located in
the largest town in central northern
Uganda. Set up in 2004, it was STF’s
first attempt to provide services and create
a youth-friendly space. It opened during the
night commuter crisis, when thousands of
children trekked into town nightly to avoid
the rebels.
2008 was a year of peace
in the north, with no rebel
attacks and about half of the
camp population returning
to their family land or
temporary camps nearby.
This transition threw up
new risks. As parents left to
open up their fields, children
and adolescents remained
unsupervised. Defilement
seemed to proliferate in
the half-empty camps.
Camp leaders destroyed
deserted huts to make the
environment safer. But as in
all previous years, GYC faced
a youth population with
profound needs.
GYC has a small library for
youth to study in, a room
for watching videos, a lab,
areas for sport, and rooms
for counseling. Funded by
Civil Society Fund and USAID
in 2008, in GYC received
$210,365 (UGX 400 million)
or 6% of STF’s total budget
to implement a range of clinical and talk
activities. This works out at about $2.40
per person reached.
GYC provides daily VCT and medical
services such as family planning and STI
treatment. GYC also invites all boys and
girls to attend separate talks to help them
think about risky gender norms, such as
pride at having multiple
partners for boys and
submissiveness on the part
of girls.
Northern Uganda has a
culture of masculinity that is
probably more exaggerated
than elsewhere in Uganda.
Notes a GYC report: “at one
outreach a man said that in
Acholi culture, females don’t
I32I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
have any rights apart from seconding what a male
has decided.” Such beliefs have a great impact on
health.
GYC staff made weekly outreaches to eight camps
(Kal ali, Cwero, Tegot Atoo, Olam Nyungu, Bira,
Otong Paboo, Jeng Gari) in Paicho and Pabbo
subcounties. For Save the Children, they also
oversaw and extended VCT and sexual and gender-
based violence (SGBV)
services to youth centres in
Paicho, Alero, Atiak, Lalogi
and Bobbi.
In 2008 GYC reached an
estimated 86,173 young
people in Gulu and Amuru
districts. This large increase
on 2007 is partly due to
better record keeping. The
estimated cost per person
reached was $2.40. A total
of 15,129 young people
were reached with general
counseling; 14,893 with
VCT; and 10,578 through
GYC’s 210 peer educators.
In 2008, 4% of those tested
were positive for HIV, slightly
down on the 4.8% in 2007:
4.9% of females and 3.1%
of males were positive.
Infection rises with age from
0.8% in 10-14 year olds to
1.9% in 15-19 year olds to
7.3% in 20-24 year olds.
Over 5400 youth received
medical services, most
commonly for rashes (16%);
and malaria and genital
Above: young
women return from itching (14% each).
their fields in Gulu.
At 18.2 years, girls in northern Uganda
Below: GYC has 23 have lowest age of first birth in Uganda.
staff including peer The national average is 19.1 (DHS,
educators, counsel-
2006). Abortion appears common
lors, lab technicians,
and often fatal among school girls.
nurses, a clinical of-
ficer and a manager. Birth spacing is also a concern: some
married girls have three babies by age
20 and report to GYC with
exhaustion. Thus, besides
providing “conversations”
on delaying/stopping sex,
in 2008 GYC focused on
increasing family planning
use in young women who
have sex.
The push was a success. In
2007 GYC supplied family
planning to about 300 young
 potentially-infected body fluids. Free
PEP after rape is government policy,
although this is not widely known. PEP can
theoretically be accessed at any of the 336
health units with ARVs countrywide.

With funds from MAIA, a new foundation,

GYC had a doctor and social worker from
Nairobi Women’s Hospital, which has
given PEP to over 6000 females, train 44
STF staff and five district health workers.
MAIA then funded GYC to reach out to
communities. GYC sensitised 1198 people
on 24 outreaches, and worked with 31
survivors. “We had planned for 300 but
people do not know about PEP or are
ashamed to report” says Jackline Akongo,
the SGBV counselor at GYC.

Of the 31 survivors, 12 received PEP;

five received emergency contraception.
Two were children; four were male. Four
defilement cases were referred for legal
aid. None of the survivors who received
PEP became HIV positive, but Jackie’s
Above: notes make hard reading:
Counselling
at GYC “Girl, 6, defiled. Man, 30, took her to
under a hut. When she did not come out, friends
mango tree: reported to police. Man caught. GYC took
adolescents her to Gulu Hospital for PEP.”
use VCT as a
chance to talk “Girl, 18, went to harvest G-nuts. Two
about their men from the bush told her not to scream
lives. or they would kill her with her hoe. One
grabbed her hands and stepped on her
Left: feet as one raped her. Then the other
registration at raped her. GYC took her to hospital for
GYC. VCT, ECP and PEP.”

“Girl, 7, defiled by stepfather 3 times.

women. This rose to 1692 in 2008. Says clinical
officer Sarah Lanyero: “Unmarried girls have mixed
feelings about FP. “They know they can get pregnant
but wonder why they should be on regular birth
control if they don’t have sex regularly.” Clients
receiving condoms also rose from 797 in 2007 to
4568 in 2008. Almost all were boys.
One disappointment was the relative decline
in female attendance. In 2007, by placing
girl greeters at the GYC gate and taking
other girl-friendly steps, girl clients rose to
57% of the total. In 2008, this fell to 51%,
a reminder that reaching girls requires
constant extra effort: the most at need are
the least likely to come for services.
In 2008 GYC started a SGBV programme
with PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis),
the month-long course of ARVs given to
prevent HIV infection after exposure to
Neighbors alerted mother as girl would leave for
school late, walking strangely. Husband arrested.
Girl negative. Put on PEP. Husband’s relatives chased
mother from house. Survivor counseled to stay at
school even after younger sister told other pupils
about her situation.”
Other cases were a boy bitten in a fight and a girl,
15, defiled by a witchdoctor.
In 2009 GYC will focus on attracting
more girls and balancing biomedical and
“talk” interventions. Says Centre Manager
Dennis Kibwola: “As families return
home, we shall fight hard to reach young
people. We do not want a fall back in
behaviour. Young people need continuous
talk. We also want to reach children with
special needs such as the deaf, blind and
adolescent sex workers, and we shall
continue to be biased towards girls.”

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I33I

K
itgum Youth Centre (KYC) is the younger
sister of GYC. It opened its doors in April
2007. With a staff of 13 and no vehicle, KYC
has a smaller programme, but is a critical actor in
improving adolescent health and reaching parents
in Kitgum.

In 2008 KYC was funded by SIDA and NUMAT/

USAID. It also took part in a World Learning
youth leadership project. KYC activities focused
on Kitgum Council and Lokung and Mucwini
subcounties. With funds worth UGX 195 million
or $102,000 UGX, KYC reached a total of 37,275
people. Almost all were youth but this also
included 1479 parents. This gives a cost per
person reached of about $2.75.

Almost 12,200 people were reached with VCT,

of whom 4.3% tested positive. Just 620 tested as
couples. Prevalence among females was 5.4%,
among males 3.9%. On youth-friendly staff that maintain confidences
and do not chastise them, Kenneth, 18, said: “When
KYC put much energy into school visits, reaching you go there you find people of your age and it is
3064 learners. It also worked with 229 young much easier to talk to them about your problem.
mothers. Family planning was modest with only Sometimes you can think that they have faced such.”
329 females receiving contraception. In addition,
just 572 young people, Another boy said: “At
mostly males, received KYC there are people
condoms, lower than who always look
the 1200 projected in concerned. In other
workplans. places the nurse may
abuse you. Like if you
However, statistics tell have an STD, they can
only part of the story. blame you that you
In mid 2008, as part of sleep around.”
its mid-term review,
STF researchers A girl, 18 said: “At
conducted a qualitative KYC you test with
study of how young anyone knowing. So
people experience the you feel encouraged.
work of KYC. It is a secret. Only the
counsellors know.”
STF found KYC deeply
appreciated by youth, “KYC is the only place
their comments where you are sure
centering around four you will not find your
positive attributes: free relative,” said a girl, 19.
services, confidentiality, VCT outreach “In clinics or hospitals, you can find your parents
friendliness of staff, and low risk to camps: A and they ask you why you are there,”.
of running into parents. KYC counselor
watches as a KYC’s challenges are similar to
“At KYC we get newspapers, boy consents those of GYC, and STF seeks
group teaching and also drama,” in writing to to standardise the packages
said one girl. “They also allow us have his blood offered by both. KYC must
to watch movies, which teach us drawn to be attract more girls and balance
many things well, like refusing tested for HIV in “talk” with medical services.
sex.” Trevor, 18, said: “All Ngomoromo IDP
activities here at KYC are free so camp. Says KYC manager
you save money from going to Janet Akao. “We have found
other clinics where you have to that talk is more powerful
pay. You know, we youth have no money.” than testing.”

I34I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

Special events/projects
D
enmark is STF’s biggest donor with $1 million a year
committed for 2008-12. In 2008 STF interacted intensely
with the Royal Embassy of Denmark on two special events.

The MDG3 campaign

The first was a one month campaign to promote Millenium
Development Goal 3. The themes were “Do something extra
for women everyday” and “Invest in women”. The goal was to
promote national discussion about Uganda’s progress towards
MDG3. Three outstanding women were supported as “torch
bearers”: Her Royal Highness, Sylvia Nagginda, The Queen of
Buganda; Atuki Turner, the director of Mifumi Project, which
fights brideprice and gender violence; and Josephine
Okot, managing director of Victoria Seeds.

For the campaign, STF produced

leaflets and posters in 5 languages
and 52 half hour radio shows and 65
radio spots in 13 languages. The radio DORA
Some
thing

campaign ran on 14 radio stations May- EXWTOMEN

for
YDAY
EVER
July 2008. You are
welcome: radio
journalist Zaituni
Visit from Crown Princess ANDA
se U oGf POVERTY
Nabateregga explains
Becau STF radio to Mary
Second, on 27 September 2008, STF had the
WHY?
m
ut the
ut
get o
cannot
witho ? Elizabeth, the Crown
honour to be visited by Mary Elizabeth, the we m
ake it
omen
. Will
Princess of Denmark.
Crown Princess of Denmark, who was on a
t of w
ermen
is empow
3
MDG

visit to Uganda to see Danida-funded projects. Design

: Michae
l Kalanz
i, STF

New user-driven SMS service for sexual health information

I
n July 2008, Grameen Foundation Application learning about sensitive issues while maintaining
Laboratory, Google, and MTN asked STF to their anonymity. One said: “This has helped me
generate content for an SMS-based health answer questions that I feared to ask publicly.” Many
information service in Uganda. Using knowledge users expressed trust in “6001” because it is linked
accumulated over ten years, STF journalists to Straight Talk. STF will to use SMS to complement
developed short answers (‘tips’) to common its other communication channels, empowering
questions about HIV/AIDS, STDs and sexuality. With adolescents to access ASRH information in an
Marie Stopes Uganda, STF has created over 400 tips exciting new way. STF will generate new content to
to-date. ensure that the system remains relevant, accurate,
and responsive to users’ interests and health
Users simply SMS questions to a short code information needs.
(6001); Google’s SMS Search technology searches
a database of locally-relevant tips, and returns an
instant response. The tips are informational, but
also aim to serve as a call-to-action, encouraging
users to seek attention from a health worker or
clinic. To support this behavior, there is also a
“Clinic Finder” service, which helps users locate
clinics in their area.

Though the service only went ‘live’ with an official

launch in June 2009, the pilot in Kyambogo, Mukono
and Katanga indicates potential: 3000 users sent
over 25,000 queries. Users express excitement
over getting answers to their own questions - often

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I35I

Volunteers and interns
I
n 2008 a steady stream of national volunteers
contributed to STF’s mission. Most were S6
leavers waiting for university admission. They
were Philip Byaruhanga, who worked on distribution;
Charmaine Matovu, who worked on the Straight Talk
English radio show; Susan Byenkya and Dennis
Pato, who worked assiduously in editorial, logging
letters; Cynthia Ibale, who worked on reception;
Elizabeth Epenu, who assisted with ST clubs in OTD;
and Alex Taban, who input data in M&E.

The print department was also joined by Nurru Kisitu

(bottom left), a guidance and counselling student, 21,
who is living with HIV. STF had met her at the Paediatric
Infectious Diseases Clinic, interviewed her for the March
2008 Straight Talk, and invited her to join the team.

Though often sick as a child, Nurru did not learn that

she had HIV until 2005. “I could not believe I was
positive. I was a virgin,” she told Straight Talk. Infected around birth, Nurru has
lost her father. Her mother is also sick, although her three younger siblings are
all HIV negative. STF counts itself lucky to have Nurru. Besides her excellent
work, the editorial department learns from her and is humbled by the way she
tackles ARVs, bouts of pneumonia, and the ups and downs of her life with her
boyfriend.

International volunteers and interns

Anna Dick, a graduate of the College of William and
Mary in the US, came to STF courtesy of Visions in
Action. She worked on STF school club databases
and in Northern Uganda on counseling protocols and
calculating the radius from which GYC clients come.

From VSO, STF received Michaele McConville, a

project manager at Citibank, Dublin. She worked for
nine months, helping STF to fully computerise its Big contribution: (clockwise from above) Michaele
McConville, Moriah Silver and Stuart Campo.
accounts, develop its financial manual and streamline
its financial procedures.

Moriah Silver and Janice Ndegwa, students of

Mount Holyoke College in the US, worked for two
months in Gulu Youth Centre. Moriah helped set up
GYC’s rape crisis service.

Jonathan Pulik came as an American Jewish World

Service volunteer. A journalist in Jerusalem, he worked
on STF’s newspapers.

Stuart Campo joined STF in July 2008 as a Princeton-

in-Africa fellow. As STF’s Special Projects Manager
he ensures the smooth running of Tree Talk (WCS-
USAID), Spring-USAID and all aspects of STF’s work
in Karamoja. He also worked on the Grameen-Google
SMS project.

I36I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

Monitoring and evaluation
S
TF follows the maxim: “to
improve something, first
measure it”.
In 2008 STF undertook its mid-
term review of its Strategic Plan
2006-10. With consultant Dr
Tom Barton, STF opted for a
participatory evaluation. This,
he suggested, would generate
“thick description” not found
in numeric summaries from
questionnaires and, in contrast
to “thumbs up or thumbs
down” external evaluations,
would have a better chance of
resulting in findings that are
owned and acted upon by STF.
STF trained youth to conduct
interviews and FGDs: these
research assistants then
reached about 400 people in
Kitgum, Kasese and Bugiri.
Even in remote villages, youth,
teachers and parents were
found to know the STF radio
shows and papers. In Kitgum
the youth centre was well
known. Often respondents
described STF materials as their only
resource on HIV and growing up and could
identify positive change in their lives that
they attributed to STF.
From these findings, STF’s multi-
media/multi-lingual approach seemed
to be working. STF was also meeting its
numerical targets. It had planned to have
15 youth shows and eight parent shows
by 2008; it had 14 and nine respectively.
It was reaching about 2.7 million more
adults than in 2005 and had responded
to new thinking on the drivers of HIV and
most-at-risk populations.
Respondents’ main criticism was that they wanted
“more”: more shows, longer shows,
more languages, more copies,
faster replies to letters, more visits
from STF staff.
Clearly, too, communication for
social change could only do so
much for severely disadvantaged
groups such as out-of-school girls.
Adults identified girls as being in
crisis, while girls themselves
spoke piteously about their
fates. “Our parents do not
want to pay school fees and
force us to look for men to
marry. But the men cannot
marry you before they have
sex with you and sometimes
they give you diseases,” said
one girl.
In 2008 STF also examined
Teacher Talk paper and
Parent Talk shows funded
by UNITY. About half of
teachers interviewed had read
the latest Teacher Talk, while
data from 153 parents found
“ever listened” to Parent Talk
to be 94% in Kumi and 51%
Masaka and Gulu. The most
remembered message was the
importance of education.
Finally, in early 2009, the M&E
team looked at the STF-Unicef
Karamoja project in 2007-8.
Asked if they had ever listened
to ST’s local language youth
show, 72.3% of adolescents
The mid- in Nakapiripirit and Moroto said “yes”. This
term review: was up from 47.5% in early 2007, when show
STF’s Isaac first aired. “I have learnt not to worry when
Kato in Kitgum:
menstruation comes. I used to fear those
research
assistants in days but I now know that all the girls have it,”
Kasese. said Nangiro, 14, from Kotido.
Below: About 80% of parents interviewed in Moroto
Thoughtful and Nakapiripirit had ever listened to “Erwor
analysis
Ngolo Angi Kaurak”. Equal proportions of
The STF M&E
team (from L men and women had listened: 29% cited the
to R) I Kato, E importance of education as the key lesson
Namiburu, P learned.
Walugembe
and E Awour. STF’s mid-term evaluation and other studies
can be viewed on its general Scribd site:
http://www.scribd.com/Straight%20Talk%20Foundation
STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I37I
Finance and administration
I
n 2008 STF received a total of UGX 7.8 billion,
about $4 million at an average exchange
rate of $1=UGX 1905. This marked a 61%
increase from the UGX 4.9 billion received in 2007.
Civil Society Fund (CSF) remained the single largest
contributor to STF, with just over UGX 4 billion
committed in 2008.
The finance
team: Michaele
McConville,
Juliet Waiswa,
Nicodemus
Ogwech and
Patricia Amito.
Not in the
photo are
auditor Robert
Tumwijukye and
cashier Cecilia
Kandeke.
Managed on the
financial side by Deloite Uganda, CSF is the conduit
through which Danida, Dfid and Irish Aid/DCI
channel funds to STF. USAID also gave $150,000 for
GYC via CSF. CSF supported STF’s “core”: Young Talk
and Straight Talk newspapers in English; 12 youth
radio shows and two parent radio shows; district
advocacy meetings, health fairs; secondary school
training; M&E; and most salaries, rent and utilities.
Longstanding donor SIDA contributed UGX
391,857,157 in 2008, supporting work in primary
schools and Kitgum Youth Centre.
Funding from UNICEF of over UGX 500 million
allowed STF to open an office, produce radio shows
and conduct face-to-face work in Karamoja. STF
also collaborated with UNICEF on an accelerated
child survival campaign. CORDAID, the Dutch
funders, funded STF’s youth radio show in
Lufumbira with club activities at a cost of UGX 83
million.
USAID funding increased significantly in 2008,
up 43% from 2007, with a total contribution of
UGX 1,712,727,402 from nine USAID projects. Of
note, 2008 saw the start of two USAID ‘special-
projects’ on which STF is a core implementing
partner. Wildlife, Landscapes, and Development
for Conservation (WILD - UGX 436 million) is
supporting Tree Talk in northern Uganda. For the
project Stability, Peace, and Reconciliation in
I38I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT
Northern Uganda (SPRING - UGX 163 million), STF is
managing communication.
Other USAID projects supported work across STF’s
core areas. UNITY funded Parent Talk radio in five
languages and Teacher Talk newspaper (UGX 171
million). UPHOLD and then NUMAT provided funds
to GYC and later KYC, mostly for VCT. PSI gave
funds for Parent Talk
radio shows; a project
to prevent cross-
generational sex; and
Go Getters Camps
(UGX 462 million).
YEAH-USAID was
a partnership to
produce the soap
opera Rock Point
256; SFS-PATH
a partnership
to produce the
newspaper Scouts
Voice for Kenya and
Uganda; and HIPS a
partnership to provide health education to company
workforces.
STF’s agricultural and environment projects
received funds from a variety of sources. Farm Talk
was funded by Danida (UGX 100 million). Tree Talk
received funds from WFP, FAO, the British High
Commission/Uganda Carbon Bureau and private
donors Madeleine and Timothy Plaut. Including
WILD, these funds amounted to UGX 525,685,405
($276,000).
STF’s youth centres were assisted by several
partners. Save the Children funded GYC to
supervise five youth centres (UGX 62 million). MAIA
funded a pilot on sexual violence and the provision
of PEP (UGX 32 million). World Learning partnered
with KYC on a youth leadership (UGX 53 million). In
Pader, CESVI gave UGX 6 million to STF for work with
CBOs and schools.
STF managed several small scholarship schemes
with funding from MLK, Bottletop, Mvule Trust and
actress Natalie Portman.
STF also took part in three campaigns: with the
Royal Danish Embassy to promote Millenium
Development Goal 3 (UGX 580 million); with GTZ to
promote vocational education (UGX 10 million); and
with FAO to use radio to revitalise agriculture in the
north (UGX 34 million).
Finally, STF and Centers for Disease Control worked
together to produce research tools for high-risk
groups (UGX 10 million), and Grameen Foundation
worked with STF to generate a text messaging
service on SRH for young adults (UGX 11 million).
Expenditure by department of all
funds received by STF in 2008
OTD 452,329,000
KYC 194,705,375
GYC 400,745,620
Radio 1,618,368,687
Print 714,985,383
M & E 72,315,190
Capital Item 305,268,481
Capacity Building 93,298,401
Admin 643,837,182
Personnel 1,274,695,300
Expenditure: programmes
Actual expenditure in 2008 was UGX 7.3 billion,
althought the forecast was UGX 7.8 billion.
Sixty-two per cent of STF’s budget went on
programmes. Of programme funds, 37% went on
radio, 23.4% on face-to-face activities (OTD, GYC
and KYC), 16% on print, and 12% on STF’s Tree/Farm
Talk effort.
This is a great change from just five years ago. In
2004, 53% of all program money went on print and
23% on radio and OTD each. The stronger spend
on radio is in line with STF’s Strategic Plan, which
commits it to reaching as many adolescents as
possible, particularly the out-of-school, rural and
poor.
Out of the total expenditure, radio consumes 23%,
print 10%, Tree/Farm Talk 7%, OTD 6%, GYC 5% and
KYC 3%. Monitoring and Evaluation took just 1%,
almost all of which went to the mid-term evaluation
of the Strategic Plan.

Loan 94,426,313
Partnership Projects 924,141,848
Natural Resources 525,685,405
Total 7,314,802,185
Expenditure: support
Salaries for its 124 staff constituted 17% of STF’s
total expenditure. STF’s work is people rich,
particularly its youth centres. The radio department
also needs a journalist for every language show.

In 2008 STF spent 9% of its funds on administration

(rent, utilities, supplies, phones) and 4% on
capital items, including a new vehicle.
ST F % ta g e co n trib u tio n
STF Expenditure
Administration
In 2008 STF began an audit of
OTD KYC
its human resources. This
Na tu ra l 6%
led to the development of a
3% new organogram.
R e so u rce s
Pa rtn e rsh ip
7% G YC
With consultants,
Pro je cts STF also developed
13% 5% a performance
management system,
with key result areas
Loan R a d io and key performance
indicators for every
1% 23% category of staff.
All staff underwent
training in resiliency.

Pe rso n n e l
17%
Prin t
10%
Ad m in
9% M&E
C a p a city C a p ita l Ite m 1%
Bu ild in g 4%
1%

STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT I39I

STF ANNUAL REPORT FINANCE TABLE
YEAR 2006 2007 2008
KEY DONORS
DCI 368,164,560 84,315,000 -
DFID 1,310,737,247 582,914,388 -
DANIDA 1,142,888,760 - -
SIDA 470,000,000 594,208,000 391,857,157
CIVIL SOCIETY FUND - 867,500,000 4,094,761,318
Sub Total 3,291,790,657 2,128,937,388 4,486,618,475
USAID
UNITY/ECD 166,303,200 93,831,050 173,758,565
UPHOLD 309,579,589 185,000,000 81,697,875
NUMAT - GYC - - 40,652,700
PSI 214,450,500 168,000,000 462,547,778
CORE 155,119,500 62,010,450 -
YEAH 298,609,402 206,297,165 149,653,105
SFS-PATH 169,815,690 142,856,050 85,640,625
ENGENDER HEALTH - 35,741,991 5,441,700
ARC 30,500,000 17,718,750 -
AFFORD - 216,245,490 -
HCP - 63,256,922 -
HIPS - - 154,125,000
SPRING - - 163,288,354
WILD - - 436,574,400
Sub Total 1,344,377,881 1,190,957,868 1,753,380,102
OTHERS
WFP – TREE TALK 294,988,800 74,975,000 39,425,453
UNICEF - KARAMOJA 350,648,196 259,288,093 522,068,345
NEMA 13,104,587 - -
IRC 2,600,000 - -
MLK - SCHOLARSHIPS - 5,083,000 5,026,205
UNFPA 31,500,000 69,400,000 17,350,000
FAO – RADIO - - 34,511,001
MVULE - SCHOLARSHIPS 201,730,100 210,234,000 29,000,000
DANIDA – BIRD FLU 92,250,000 - -
DANIDA – FARM TALK - 95,296,880 100,827,038
DANIDA – MDG 3 - - 580,000,000
DFID – MONEY WORLD - 782,686,455 -
HEWLETT/TIDES – S’SHIPS/TREE - 65,949,420 25,091,500
BOTTLE TOP - SCHOLARSHIPS - 16,483,688 -
CORDAID - - 76,515,000 82,950,000
GTZ –VOCATIONAL CAMPAIGN - - 10,009,005
GRAMEEN FOUNDATION - - 11,371,500
UGANDA CARBON BUREAU - - 22,155,714
CESVI - PADER - - 6,000,000
MAIA – PEP/SGBV - - 32,100,000
SAVE THE CHILDREN – GYC - - 62,380,632
WORLD LEARNING – KYC - - 53,156,300
PATH – CHDC & AOG - - 10,290,500
Sub Total 986,821,683 1,655,911,536 1,643,713,230

Total Funds Received 5,622,990,221 4,975,806,792 7,883,711,770

DANIDA
Department for
International
Development

I40I STF 2008 ANNUAL REPORT

STRAIGHT TALK FOUNDATION
is a Ugandan NGO, set up in 1997. It grew out of a
teen newspaper, Straight Talk, which was started
future.
forward to a safer

in 1993. Today it practises Communication

and how to move
what they need
define who they are,

for Social change. Its main focus is

dialogue to help people
critical thinking and

preventing HIV in ADOLescents.

social change: it encourages
practices communication for
to change people. Instead it

STF takes a Family-centred and life cycle

Finally, STF is not “messaging”

approach and follows a sexual health promotion

model. It increasingly works with Parents.
by and are key outlets for STF materials.

Parents who are present and who have a good

CBOs operate at this level and are influenced

relationship with their adolescents are Super-

opinionmakers. Health units, faith groups and

protectors. STF also supports parents to

and sends its papers to MPs, district leaders and other

have their own safer and healthy sexual lives.

context, STF holds community fairs and advocacy meetings
Finally, to have impact on the larger community and political
Respecting the primacy of mother tongue
languages, in 2008 STF worked in 14
languages. STF’s communication channels
are Radio, print and face-to-face.
STF’s is concerned for the well-being of all
adolescents and their families. However, it
is particularly concerned about most-at-
risk adolescents, especially Girls and
adolescents living in conflict.
STF Board of Directors
Board chair: Aggrey Kibenge, Principal Asst Sec., Ministry of Educ. & Sports
Rev Gideon Byamugisha, Christian Aid
Anne Akia Fiedler, Chief of Party, ACE
Dr Frank Kaharuza, Director, Research, CDC/UVRI
Justina Kihika, Freelance Consultant
Oliva Muhumuza, Headteacher, Railway Children’s Primary School
Charles Odere, Advocate, Lex Uganda
Dorothy Oulanyah, HIV specialist/OVC/Prevention, UNICEF
Hon Dr Elioda Tumwesigye, Member of Parliament
Catharine Watson, Executive Director, STF, Ex-oficio C Odere Rev Byamugisha
Aggrey Kibenge A Fiedler F Kaharuza J Kihika O Muhumuza

STF follows an “ecological model,” addressing individuals

in their environment with interventions at all the layers of
influence around the individual. The adolescent is at
the core of the model, under the first arch of the
rainbow, benefitting from youth newspapers,
radio shows and face-to-face work.
At the next layer, STF addresses
parents and teachers: the most
important adults in the lives
of adolescents. For them,
STF produces Parent Talk
radio and Teacher Talk
newspaper. It also
conducts face-
to-face work in
schools and
communities.
 I n 2008 Straight Talk Foundation
(STF) produced over 8 million
newspapers and 4,000 half-hour
radio shows for adolescents and
adults. It reached over 180,000
young people and parents through

AL
its face-to-face work.

STF’s materials are the main and

U
ANN T
O R
often only source of affirming,

RE P
values-based and scientifically-
accurate information on HIV, sexuality

2008
and growing up in most Ugandan
communities.

STF sends its materials to 18,000

schools, 1,700 health centres and
1,100 churches and mosques, and
1600 CBOs. It also works with 450
NGOs.

STF creates “conversations” to address

the drivers of HIV epidemic and bring
about social change.
Report Design: Michael eB. Kalanzi

In 2008 STF had 63 staff and interns in its head office in Kampala.
However, with teams constantly traveling upcountry, it was never possible
to get them all together. The above photo was taken in December 2008 as
the year wound up. In total STF has 124 staff across Uganda.

Plot 4 Acacia Avenue, Kololo, P.O. Box 22366 Kampala, Uganda, Tel: (256 31) 262030, 262031,
Fax: (256 41) 534858, Email: strtalk@straight-talk.or.ug, Website: www.straight-talk.or.ug,
General Scribd site: http://www.scribd.com/Straight%20Talk%20Foundation Communication for Social Change