A newsleter for Ugandas youth by Ugandas youth.

BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE

YOUTH LEADERS
It is a great pleasure and out of our amazement to be a youth leader because it is considered to be a heroic success. Your peers must entrust you and the higher authorities will expect a lot from you. What you have to know is that leadership has three major foundation levels: cooperation, ability, and responsibility. Being a youth leader, one must be aged between 18 up to 35. Though some of the contemporary youth leaders today tend to look younger and shor ter than their subjects, leadership doesnt matter, size nor stage, but only ones intelligence, ability and care about others. Leadership is not a balloon to blow. Therefore any one to become a leader must have a lot of leadership equipment at hand to succeed and transform positive behaviours within your fellow youths, because their difference in age and reasoning also calls for your intelligence. A youth leader should be confident and audible while talking to fellow youth because some have hearing impairments. He/she should be a guide and counselor and high degree of secrecy is expected out of him/her concerning personal dilemmas of his/her subject. A capable youth leader should act as a role model in everything, be it time management, neatness and smar tness as far as a personal code of conduct is concerned. A caring youth leader should emphasize democratic democracy, let the instruction
Namagembe Nolene, 18 | Mityana Busuubizi Teacher's College

Ugandas s t a r s
y o u n g
Namagembe Nolene 18 | Mityana

cater for all of you even the leaders, but never consider yourselves to be so special from others. Being an abusive youth is another embarrassing yoke. To be a leader you must first cleanse your tongue from uttering any abusive statements to your subject. Many successful leaders today have their motto as Co-operate to Achieve the Best which many youth leaders should implement. Be patriotic and achieve at the committee. Being a youth leader is to carry a heavy load. At times our subjects tend to rebel and ignore our instructions. It does not call

for abusive feedback. Thats why leaders should be able to control their temper. What you, a leader, should do if the leadership body cannot calm such a youth, refer him/ her to higher authorities. I for one, on the other hand, discourage leaders who aim at hur ting others whenever they are caught red-handed in an illegal act because the Bible campaigns for forgiveness and condemns hatred. All in all, we need to respect, love, care for one another and exercise our duties there. Leadership is never a big load once you have got a knack of it. Thus, being a successful youth leader and the stars of leadership will ever shine around you.
Ejulut Omusala Bernard, 15 | Kumi Wiggins Secondary School

INTERNATIONALYOUTH DAY
First of all, the international youth day was held in August. This is always the day I wait for, my community waits for and my entire youth wait for. In addition to that, me as Ejulut Omusala Bernard, I talked to my youth leader, village leaders and my community leaders about this wonderful
Volume 8 | February 2014

day. I agreed with my youth leader that we must talk to the chairperson LCIII about this day. We argued with the chairperson LCIII and we eventually ended up proposing that there must be celebrations at our community. We then started planning and proposed the agenda. The agenda was as follows:

Prayer, Communication from the chairperson LCI, Communication from the youth leader, Communication from the chairperson LCIII, Football matches between the youth and there were eight teams, Handing over the trophy to the winning team, Eating and dancing, and Closure
Continued on Page 6

poetry
MR. SCIENCE GIRLTECH
Christine | Masaka Birungi Christine, 17 | Masaka

A newsleter for Ugandas youth by Ugandas youth.

SPECIAL FEATURE
Ugandas Shooting Stars dont just talk the talk, they walk the walk. These youth are actively working to promote change in their villages, schools, and country

LEARNING TO LEAD
Lamwaka Babra Faith, S3 | Gulu

Here he comes With all his experience He is welcoming each and everyone Most especially girls worldwide He is smart in his mixed colors He has red, blue, green, yellow and others He has got many friends everywhere And he is common everywhere He is friends with chemical reactions and laboratories Solar systems and the oobleck The ground and gravity and also nature And he is common everywhere He moves with the epidemiology He is friends with blood and operation He is so amazing because of his practicals And I love learning about his topics Everyone should love this man Because he is everywhere in our daily life He is in our bodies and large His name is Mr. Science

Long time girls have been suffering Because of some reasons and some people Some discriminated by people and relatives Other abandoned by everyone Sometimes girls are raped They get pregnant and drop out of school People say words that make girls cry They are ever on their own No one cares about the girl child No one needs to know about them They scream, starve and also suffer I feel pity for the girl child One lady came to help the girl child She is called GirlTech Uganda She helps girls learn about science They can never be discriminated again All my girls out there should join They should stop being passive They should really be assertive to survive GirlTech we owe you a lot

GirlTech prepared me to be assertive person when I am talking or telling someone exactly what you want in a way that does not seem rude or threatening to them. Also, it means to stand up for my own rights without putting down the rights of others. GirlTech also prepared me to be a good scientist, in future, as I want to become a doctor, like some of the females in Africa like Org Okollok who started as an impassioned blogger who wanted to democratize and information and increase transparency through her site. Also, professor Tebello Ngokong, who won the AfricaArab state 2009 LOreal UNESO award for women in science for her pioneering research into photodynamic therapy. Also prepared me to go and teach how is the community must prevent HIV/ AIDS transmission to other people, if you sexually active, you should remain faithful to your partner or if you want to play sex you must use condoms, and if you are still young you must wait until it is the time for you.

SHOOTING STARS
Nkanji Solomon, 20 | Kaynkwanzi

Nkanji Solomon THE CRAZY WORLD

Be silent when your words will hurt Be patient when neighbors cut Be deaf when scandals flow Be thoughtful for other woes Be prompt when stern duty calls Be courageous when any misfortune falls Be thankful for anything bad or good and you will have succeeded in this crazy world. Success!!!

UGANDAS YOUNG STARS | Volume 8

remove stigma and grow love

Maneno Flavia, 18 | Arua Busuubizi Teacher's College

Photo: Patrick Galinski

Maneno Flavia

Stigma is a mark of disgrace or discredit, a distinguished mark or character to label someone as inferior because of an attribute they have. It is often accompanied by acts of discrimination. In this case stigma is directed towards certain groups of people
February 2014

in Uganda such as orphans, vulnerable children, and children. The following are the solutions I can do to eliminate stigma as below. Through conducting drama events, which may explain or talk about people practice stigma and this will make them not to practice. Teaching life skills, such as self-esteem, to those who are stigmatized and this will help to develop confidence in them. Playing with children is another way of reducing stigma whereby playing with t hem may remove fear in them hence becoming cooperative. Through referrals for continuous support given to the orphans and vulnerable children such as clothes, food, books which would help them to fit in the society. Through imparting life skills such as coping with stress, self-awareness, assertiveness in order not to lose hope. Stigma can be reduced through counseling and guidance which helps

children to help themselves, recognize these strengths and identify the resources available and even help them to overcome problems and make health decisions. Through mobilizing for support from the community or from the government, such as sponsorships which would help them to acquire education, hence reducing stigma. Through providing medical care to the vulnerable and children freely, which would help to have and promote good health, hence reducing stigma. Stigma can also be reduced through organizing community task shows which tells about dangers of stigma and even shows people who practice it and this will help them to reduce it. Through creating loving relationships and environments whereby you encourage children or vulnerable to love the environment they are living in, hence reducing stigma. To put the last nail in the coffin, the solutions I can do to reduce stigma have been discussed above.

A newsleter for Ugandas youth by Ugandas youth.

IS IT HARD FOR GIRLS

TO EXCEL IN SCIENCE?
Tusingwire Imelda, S2 Our Lady of God's Counsel Secondary School

No, it is not hard for girls to excel in silence. I think it is not hard for us girls to excel in science because doing science is not according to potential only, but also ability and I believe girls can excel once they put more efforts in order to pass highly and become the top in the worlds science and technology. It is not hard for us girls to excel in science because our minds are not different from that of boys/men who have succeeded in science. I am sure we can stand out and decide to be scientists of higher levels. It is not hard for us girls to excel in science because we have all the sources that can lead us to better scientists and some of these sources are: acquiring knowledge from scientists who have succeeded very well in science, reason to add on the acquired information, and finally invent. You never know, we Ugandas Young Stars can discover medicine to cure diseases like HIV/AIDS and cancer.
4

wh

you thin at do k

Mpawuwo Rebecca, S2 Kisiki College Namutumba

NO YES

Yes, it is a bit hard for some girls to excel in school. This is true due to my following views: Most of the time the girls minds are taken by money things and thoughts that lead to their future; this includes things like admiring a lot what they can not actually afford and getting boyfriends early and involving themselves in sex at the wrong time, poor home background, lack of role models in their communities etc. which lead them to fail to concentrate in books. Most of the girls in the African culture are forced to early marriage by their parents or guardians due to rich dowry men. Failure to involve in carrying out research most of the time which they think it is for boys only. Most of the time the failure for the girls to excel in school is from their parents. Most of the girls lack confidence to ask what they dont know which is too bad and results in failure.

UGANDAS YOUNG STARS | Volume 8

Mbeiza Irene, S2 Kisiki College Another thing I would like to write about is an encouragement to my fellow girls. Dont listen to what people say that girls can not excel in sciences, we all have the same brains like those of the boys, but what kills us is that we fear ourselves, we fell we can not do what boys can do, buts lets bring that fear down our feet we will excel in everything. Another thing we have to do is to be hardworking, we have to work hard so that we are not left behind. How are we going to be hardworking? Through making contributions in class, contesting for leadership in schools and revising hard so that you make your memory remember what you learnt.

Katusiime Lillian, S1 Mwereerwe SS Hello Ugandas Young Stars! Measure some of the things you need to know about in order to excel in your studies to become academic giants. 1. Time is money dont waste it Some of you always spend a lot of time doing your own business instead of revising. Its better you concentrate of your studies you will enjoy and excel in future. 2. Always remember your parents sweat to raise your school fees. 3. Sacrifice and achieve the best for your future. 4. Consult teachers to prove what you know 5. Make use of laboratory by searching 6. Always have a dream in life e.g. being a journalist, an accountant, and engineers 7. Have a reading timetable to balance revision 8. Relax a short time to refresh your mind. 9. Avoid short cuts in life. 10. Be attentive during class lessons 11. Always make contributions in class. 12. Always go to school very early in the morning in order to revise. An academic giant must move with these points. Planning for the future -Always do each and everything after planning because if you dont plan for it dont even thing about excelling. -Always be assertive -Girls can also defeat boys by revising harder. Forget each and everything and concentrate on your studies. Always remember that education is the key to success.

etters L
from
Kiiza Teddy, S1 Kisiki College Namutumba

Girl Tech

We want to share a few of the important lessons learned by Ugandan youths that attended our GirlTech camp last fall. This camp is geared towards encouraging young women to excel in the world of science and technology. There are many other camp available for Ugandan Youth, ask your friendly Peace Corps Volunteer about these opportunities today!

Amollo Christine, S2 Merikit SS Hello Ugandas Young Stars! I as a girl who is studying can give you my advice in academics. The following things we must put into consideration so that to study and excel in our future. 1. Dont waste time use it accordingly. 2. Form discussion groups in your school or classes 3. Consult teachers for what you have not understood 4. Be attentive during classes and to other peoples advice about studies. 5. Have a dream in your life of being an important person to your community 6. Go to school early so that at least you can revise before lesson begins 7. Relax for a short time to relieve your mind. I think with those few pieces of advice we shall excel in future.

Best Time of My Life The best time in my life is the time I had my first camp at Kisiki College Naumutumba, which was the GirlTech 2.0 camp all organized by Peace Corps. It was a really good and interesting time that a lot was learned ie being assertive, the science of HIV, the solar system, financial literacy, and planning for the future, epidemiology, musculoskeletal system, the heart and mad science as well and many others. The reality is I hadnt ever heard of Peace Corps before but now I know it very well and I know some volunteers and directors plus mentors as well. The most interesting thing was the solar system and the funniest I had was mad science. What I like about the solar system is the system is the distance of the planets away from the sun, which is Pluto. What I liked more about this camp is that they taught me about the heart because I know little about it because I did not attend primary six during my primary education level. So they helped me in all areas and provided me with basic knowledge over it. Therefore, I regard this time I had at the camp as the best time in my life and regard Peace Corps Uganda as ever the best for Ugandan girls.

February 2014

Volume 8 | January 2014

Ejulut Omusala Bernard 15 | Kumi

This long awaited day then suddenly came and the occasion was really a blessed one. We organised the place and surrounded with guards and started the event. The village church leader opened with a prayer, then the chairperson LCI welcomed the visitors, the youth leader thanked the youth for attending the occasion. The chairperson LCIII thanked all the people for attending the event. In addition to that, he also thanked the boy that insisted on this and offered him a t-shirt written on the back the International Youth Day 2013. The eight teams that were going to play straight away started training. These teams were as follows: Aakum FC, Kapolin FC, Akide FC, Obule

FC, Oseera FC, Ongino FC, Oduka FC and Kanapa FC. The finals were held and Obule FC won against Oseera FC 2-1. The winning team was announced as Obule FC. The team started rejoicing and they were handed their trophy and Ug shs 200,000. The time for dining came and the people enjoyed food, drinks and started dancing. The songs that were mostly played were thanks giving gospel songs and a handful of nongospel songs. The events went up to 8:00 pm and the event was closed with a prayer. In retrospect, that was the happiest day of my life and I ended up thanking God for keeping me until that day.
Above story continues from the cover

his or her goals. Because without money you cant achieve your goals because it is used Igonyo Catherine Ketty, S2 | Kumi for paying school fees, buying scholastic I am going to write an essay about why materials, etc. Financial planning helps one financial planning is important for our future. to know how to estimate the outgoing money First and foremost, financial planning for the and the incoming money. Financial planning future is the learning how to make money and helps one to acquire skills of using money and balancing it i.e. to know the outgoing money generating it so as to have a better life. As and the incoming money. And here are some I sum up financial planning leads to a better future because you will be in possession to of my views: Financial planning for the future makes one to save money, achieve your goals, to know how save money i.e. it helps one to know how to to estimate the outgoing and the incoming generate the money and to use it. Financial money and finally to acquire skills of using planning for the future helps one to achieve money and generating it.

POCKET FULL OF PESA

play games that teach you about managing your money

Uganda's Young Stars

Uganda's Young Stars was first published by American Peace Corps Volunteers in February 2012. The newsletter is written for youth, by youth and is designed to be an open forum where Ugandan kids can express their ideas, opinions, and experiences regarding gender and youth-related issues. Youth write and submit essays which are compiled by Peace Corps Volunteers, used as articles in publication, and then distributed in communities all around the country. Essay questions are optional. Please try to keep submissions for each question under 400 words. Entries submitted as personal testimony must be factual. Write your name, age, school (if applicable), village and district on the paper.

Photo: Brianna Schuler

next issue's theme | Conserving and Growing Resources 1_ The UN has defined access to water as a basic human right. How does water access affect the
quality of life in your community?

2_ Who is responsible for managing the quality and amount of water available to you? 3_ March 5th is national Drop Everything and Read Day. Talk about a book that you plan read
and how it has impacted you.

4_ Is it important to recognize the contributions of women in your community? 5_ Write about anything YOU want!

It's Easy and Fun Submit with a Friend

A newsleter for Ugandas youth by Ugandas youth.